Low vision E-glasses, namely wearable or headsets low vision eyewear assist the visually impaired to live a normal life by improving their visual performance and enriching their daily experiences. Low vision E-glasses are widely used for patients with varied eye conditions diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration AMD, retinitis pigmentosa, myopic macular, retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, etc.
AR and VR: Hands-Free Tech for Visually Impaired
Both virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) low-vision eyeglasses use the built-in camera to collect images from the outside world in real-time and then sent them to the display area of the eyewear. The software that these E-glasses use can zoom in, zoom out, and alter the acquired pictures, which enables these E-glasses can serve as low-vision aids.
AR Low Vision E-glasses
Augmented reality (AR) E-glasses help people with low vision, peripheral vision or central vision loss, and allow people to see everything around them. In a study of patients with retinitis pigmentosa and genetic degeneration condition, AR E-glasses were applied to improve their mobility with a grasp performance improvement of 70% and mobility improvement of 50%. High-tech AR smart glasses, such as the Acesigt series, etc. apply assistive technology in improving the natural senses with the manufactured systems developed to accurately project bright light to correspond with the surroundings and the user’s retina. In addition, most AR E-glasses have a simultaneous location and mapping technology, that enables the glasses to render 3D structures for the field of view in real-time.
VR Low Vision E-glasses
Virtual reality (VR) low-vision glasses use the handset embedded in the screen, which shows the users an immersive world when they wear them. VR low-vision glasses for persons with low vision help them gain visual independence even with acuity eyesight between 20/100 and 20/600 and a 10 degrees field of view angle. This means that the functionality of the low-vision VR E-glasses is similar to that of binoculars which simulate the surrounding and remaining photoreceptors, helping the mind to collect more visual information and achieve an all-out functionality for the vision. Besides, most headsets that use VR technologies utilize head tracking technologies that allow the users to look at their immediate environments by moving their physical selves or their heads.
Difference between AR and VR Low-Vision E-Glasses
According to the system’s design, most VR Acesight headsets have fully enclosing designs that cover the eyes of the users and thus do not assure them freedom of movement. But AR low-vision glasses have a pair of small display modules in front of the eyes, which ensures a large peripheral vision – it offers the users a clear vision and field of view that allows the users to monitor the surroundings and the things within the peripheral vision and guarantees users comfort and safety. The lenses of VR low-vision glasses are similar to the screen of a mobile phone, but each lens of VR low-vision glasses is a distinct display area.
Learn more: What is the Difference Between AR and VR Low-vision Electronic Glasses (E-glasses)?
Who is Suitable for Hands-Free Low Vision E-Glasses?
Low vision E-glasses are ideally suited for legally blind or visually impaired individuals. Depending on the visual situation, legal blindness happens when persons with visual problems have a central visual acuity of 20/200 or less (Read more WHO Definitions of Low Vision). In addition, individuals with the following conditions could use wearable low-vision glasses as prescribed by their ophthalmologists:
• Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
• Myopic Macular (MM)
• Diabetic Macular Oedema (DMO)
• Central Serous Retinopathy (CSR)
• Macular Hole (MH)
• Lebers Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON)
• Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO)
• Punctate Inner Choroidopathy (PIC)
• Diabetic Retinopathy (DR)
• Stroke-Related Sight Loss
• Stargardt Disease
• Macular Dystrophy
• Inverted Retinitis
• Pigmentosa
• Corneal Opacity
Benefits of Hands-Free Low-Vision E-glasses
Wearable or headset low vision E-glasses are an effective device for helping legally blind individuals regain their visual independence and continue their daily routine as individuals without visual impairment. People who develop subnormal vision can always believe that these wearable low vision aids can help them restore their quality lifestyle and enable them to lead wonderful lives with their loved ones.
Hand-free low-vision aids allow people to perform daily activities while wearing devices that are comfortable for long periods. For instance, hands-free low-vision E-glasses enable individuals with low vision to see their loved ones clearly and go to the nearby supermarket or store to pick up food or everyday supplies by themselves; with low-vision e-glasses, a patient who had lost their peripheral vision for years and could not read due to the ailment will now be more satisfied and see clearly—as they used. What’s more, with hand-free low-vision E-glasses, people can hold a coffee in hand while watching TV or iPad, or taking notes when reading a book or novel, or checking menus when cooking meals.
Hand-free low-vision aids are especially advised for people with serious vision problems such as AMD, DMO, etc. The hand-free low-vision aids with advanced virtual reality let patients with low peripheral vision or central vision carry out daily activities easily by offering an additional field of view vision, helping them magnify the fonts and making it easier for these patients to read comfortably.
Low-vision E-glasses can help legally blind individuals to perform the following activities:
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- See the faces of loved ones
- Enjoy movies, TV, magazine, and books
- Return to the kitchen and prepare your favorite food
- Go shopping with your family members or friends
- Be more independent at home, school, office, etc.
- Continue your hobbies and work
- … …
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Above all, the hand-free low-vision aids have multiple view modes that help the patients enjoy their favorite TV shows, watch a football match with their loved ones and provide a cost-effective way of living a quality life with their underlying conditions.
Recommended Hands-Free Low Vision E-glasses for Visual Impairments
The low-vision products are life-changing wearable tech for people with low vision and have transformed living for people with visual impairment or diagnosed with severe diseases. Specific examples of low-vision products used by people include the Acesight series, eSight, Oxsight, Irisvision, and the voice-activated Orcam series. To be specific, popular VR low-vision electronic glasses (E-glasses) include Acesight VR, Irisvsion, eSight, and Nueyes e2+. These are best used for stationary tasks like watching TV, reading the newspaper, watching videos, etc. Acesight, Acesight S, and Oxsight are predominant AR low-vision electronic glasses (E-glasses) products suited for outdoor or physical and stationary activities.
Read more: Choose The Right E-Glasses
How do Zoomax Acesight series low-vision E-glasses work?
While several high-quality, low vision E-glasses options are on the market, the Acesight series have drawn the most attention and appreciation. Let us look at how the Acesight series have helped people with low vision and what users have said about it.
Zoomax Acesight series is the most advanced low-vision glasses on the market and allows individuals with vision loss to see clearly at a distance and up close. The unique algorithm by the Acesight series allows the users to have more adjusted magnified text, shapes, objects, and clearer outlines. Acesight VR applies VR technologies and can produce stunning images even in the low light environment. Acesight and Acesight S wearable headsets work by imploring AR technologies and features for full HD displays, which helps the users to see floated images in front of each eye. Acesight devices also contain built-in cameras which auto-focus between the user’s eyes, capturing what the user sees and then representing the magnified image on the screen. The handheld controller allows the user to magnify and adjust the image magnification, color, contrast, and other features such as brightness.
Hayley Pelletier from Illinois says that the wearable headsets helped her normally live, although she has vision issues, including bilateral optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH), esotropia, and nystagmus. The 18-year-old records experiences where she states that she usually could only see the nose and a mouth, even in close encounters. Nevertheless, with Acesight headsets, Hayley feels that she has bionic sight.
Where to Buy Hands-Free Low-Vision E-glasses
You can search on the web for more recommendations –search the low-vision store near me, wearable devices for low-vision electronic glasses, eyewear for the visually impaired, etc. Alternatively, you can also go to a local low-vision store or clinic when you or your family members want to purchase hands-free low-vision aids. The local low-vision store may provide you with a free trial period, or allow you to select the device after trying it; some low-vision suppliers may also offer free trials to new and qualified subscribers as well.
In conclusion, while there are numerous solutions for visually impaired or legally blind individuals, the benefits of independent hands-free low vision E-glasses for visual impairment are significant, which allow legally blind individuals to participate in ongoing daily activities. Low vision or being legally blind is not an end; people can still live an everyday life even with visual impairment by accessing these life-changing wearable low-vision devices.
