Eyewear for AMD
Understanding AMD
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults. While it usually doesn’t cause complete blindness, it affects central vision, making tasks like reading and driving difficult. Specialty glasses and other vision aids can help you see better.
Specialty Eyeglasses
Specialized glasses can help you see both near and far more clearly. Your eye doctor will test your eye to see which lenses can boost your vision. Depending on your needs as your vision changes over time, you may need any of the following: yellow-tinted glasses, bioptic telescope, or prismatic lenses.
Yellow-Tinted Glasses
Bioptic Telescope
A small telescope mounted on glasses known as a bioptic telescope may help you see distant objects better. These are a good option for people with advanced AMD who have trouble with their distance vision.
Prismatic lenses
Built-in prism glasses protect your vision from further damage by diverting light rays away from the macular part of the eyes.
Magnifiers
Handheld magnifiers come in various sizes and strengths, often with built-in lights to improve visibility. Some models have features like color contrast and image capture, making them useful for reading and other detailed tasks. Tabletop magnifiers are mounted on stands and can help those with hand tremors or poor eye-hand coordination.
CCTV Magnifiers
Closed-circuit television (CCTV) magnifiers use a camera system to project magnified images onto a screen. This technology allows for larger and clearer viewing of text and images.
Choosing Vision Aids
Specialty eyeglasses and other vision aids can help you make the most of your eyesight and manage daily tasks more easily. You can ask your eye doctor or a low-vision specialist, also called a vision rehabilitation specialist, can help you choose specialty glasses or other vision aids.