Effectiveness of portable electronic and optical magnifiers for near vision activities in low vision: a randomised crossover trial

Taylor, John J., Bambrick, Rachel, Brand, Andrew, Bray, Nathan, Dutton, Michelle, Harper, Robert A., Hoare, Zoe, Ryan, Barbara, Edwards, Rhiannon T., Waterman, Heather ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7052-2734 and Dickinson, Christine 2017. Effectiveness of portable electronic and optical magnifiers for near vision activities in low vision: a randomised crossover trial. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics 37 (4) , pp. 370-384. 10.1111/opo.12379

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Abstract

Purpose To compare the performance of near vision activities using additional portable electronic vision enhancement systems (p-EVES), to using optical magnifiers alone, by individuals with visual impairment. Methods A total of 100 experienced optical aid users were recruited from low vision clinics at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Manchester, UK, to a prospective two-arm cross-over randomised controlled trial. Reading, performance of near vision activities, and device usage were evaluated at baseline; and at the end of each study arm (Intervention A: existing optical aids plus p-EVES; Intervention B: optical aids only) which was after 2 and 4 months. Results A total of 82 participants completed the study. Overall, maximum reading speed for high contrast sentences was not statistically significantly different for optical aids and p-EVES, although the critical print size and threshold print size which could be accessed with p-EVES were statistically significantly smaller (p < 0.001 in both cases). The optical aids were used for a larger number of tasks (p < 0.001), and used more frequently (p < 0.001). However p-EVES were preferred for leisure reading by 70% of participants, and allowed longer duration of reading (p < 0.001). During the study arm when they had a p-EVES device, participants were able to carry out more tasks independently (p < 0.001), and reported less difficulty with a range of near vision activities (p < 0.001). Conclusions The study provides evidence that p-EVES devices can play a useful role in supplementing the range of low vision aids used to reduce activity limitation for near vision tasks.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Healthcare Sciences
Subjects:	R Medicine > RE Ophthalmology
Uncontrolled Keywords:	electronic low vision aids; instrumental activities of daily living; rehabilitation; visual impairment
Publisher:	Wiley
ISSN:	0275-5408
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	21 March 2017
Date of Acceptance:	28 February 2017
Last Modified:	10 Nov 2023 17:17
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/99232

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