New Hand-Held Magnifier Technology improves Reading Speed and Volume in Visually Impaired Adults

Visually impaired adults who struggle with reading due to
slow reading speed with spectacle-based near correction may find relief in
hand-held, illuminated optical magnifiers, according to a recent study
published in Optometry and Vision Science Journal.

Hand-held magnifiers have been recommended for short-duration
spot reading tasks. However, this study suggests that they are also effective
in improving sustained, continuous text reading such as books or magazines,
which has not been widely recognized by vision rehabilitation providers and
patients.

Hand-held, lit optical magnifiers were distributed to 29
visually impaired persons who completed the sustained silent reading test by
phone without the new magnifier at baseline and one month later. The
participants’ reading speed in words per minute (wpm) was calculated from the
time taken to read each page, and the results were compared to the baseline
reading speed without the magnifier.

The study concluded with the following key takeaways:

Mean reading speed improved by 14 words per
minute (wpm) on average across participants after using the magnifier for 1
month. Maximum reading speed also improved by 18 wpm on
average across participants after using the magnifier for 1 month. Participants with slower baseline reading speeds
without the magnifier showed significantly greater improvements in both mean
and maximum reading speeds on average with the magnifier. A significantly greater number of pages were
read with the new magnifier compared to without it. Participants who read fewer pages at baseline or
had greater improvements in mean reading speed also read significantly more
pages with the magnifier.

“These findings highlight the potential of hand-held
magnifiers to improve reading rates for visually impaired adults, especially
those who struggle with slow reading speed despite near correction with
spectacles,” said Dr. John E. Kaminski, the lead researcher of the study.

Further research and awareness among healthcare providers
and patients could lead to improved access to this assistive technology for
visually impaired individuals, empowering them to read more comfortably and
efficiently.

Reference:

Kaminski, John E. OD, FAAO; Yoshinaga, Patrick D. OD, MPH,
FAAO; Chun, Melissa W. OD, FAAO; Yu, Megan BS; Shepherd, John D. MD; Chan, Tiffany
L. OD, FAAO; Deemer, Ashley OD, FAAO; Bittner, Ava K. OD, PhD, FAAO; and
the BeST-AID Study Team. Value of Hand-held Optical Illuminated Magnifiers for
Sustained Silent Reading by Visually-Impaired Adults. Optometry and Vision
Science ():10.1097/OPX.0000000000002013, March 22, 2023. | DOI:
10.1097/OPX.0000000000002013