All magnifiers are not the same. They vary based on their power, lens type, and design purpose. Magnifiers can be optical or video-based. Optical magnifiers include hand-held magnifiers, stand magnifiers, spectacles and telescopic devices. Video magnifiers typically employ camcorder-like cameras. Some video magnifiers are hand-held, while others may look like a computer, and still others are head-mounted. Each type of magnifier is designed to offer different benefits and distinct applications. Power
The power of a magnifier can be measured several ways. The most common, "times magnification" or "power", refers to how many times bigger an object will appear when viewed through the device as compared to when viewed with the naked eye. The "X" notation on many magnifiers gives the manufacturer's representation as to the power provided by a given device.
Diopter
A "diopter" is another term that refers to the magnifying power of a device. A diopter is a metric measurement of the lens power. This is a unit of measure that your eye doctor uses when prescribing eyeglasses or contact lenses. The power of hand-held, stand and magnifying spectacles can be measured or represented in diopters or "times magnification". [While ’X’ power measurements vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, diopters do NOT vary.]
Hand-held, stand and magnifying spectacles are available in power ranges from 1x to 10x. Video magnifiers can provide from 5x to as much as 60x magnification.
Be careful though! Stronger does not mean better! There is a "right" power for each individual and the task they wish to accomplish. This is a process that your Low Vision Specialist is uniquely qualified to determine.
See Find a Magnifier to learn more.
Design types
Various magnifying device designs exist for different purposes. The most common categories are as follows:
Hand-held magnifiers
Designed for short-term spotting tasks of near objects such as reading menus, price tags and pill bottles. These helpful devices are very portable, versatile and economical, and are available with and without light sources. Stand magnifiers
Designed for extended viewing tasks of near objects such as reading books, magazines or newspapers. Stand magnifiers rest directly on the object and are available with and without illumination. Magnifying spectacles
Designed for hands-free viewing of near objects for an extended period of time, such as reading, especially in bed. Telescopic devices
Primarily designed to magnify distant objects. These devices can be hand-held for short-term spotting, or worn as eyewear for extended periods of viewing such as watching television. Video magnifiers
Provide the highest levels of magnification and help to enhance the contrast of objects being viewed. These devices can be hand-held, headmounted, or in a desktop design. Multiple designs exist to help low vision sufferers accomplish multiple types of tasks. Low vision devices, and magnifiers in particular, can be thought of as tools that the low vision individual keeps in their toolbox, just as a carpenter would.
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