MAGNIFICATION

By Fitsum D.
Contents
• Introduction to LOW VISION
• Magnification
• Low vision Optical device
• Magnifier
• Types of Magnifiers
• Reference
Low Vision
MAGNIFICATION
• Magnification is a method of increasing the size of the image so that
enough of the retina is stimulated to send an impulse through the
optic nerve allowing an object to be perceived.
• Magnification is NOT about making object clearer, it’s simply about
making them BIGGER
Cont.
• There are a number of different means via which this can be
achieved:
• 1. Relative Size Magnification
• 2. Relative distance Magnification
• 3. Angular Magnification
• 4. Real Image Magnification(To be Discussed!)
Relative Size Magnification
• By making the size bigger

M=tanƟ’
Ɵ

M = new object size

old object size
Relative Distance Magnification
• By Bringing the object closer
• Need good accommodation
M=tanƟ’
Ɵ

M= Old object distance

new object distance
Angular Magnification
• This is generally refers to the magnification provided by optical
instruments (e.g. telescopes).
• Versatile means of magnification
as it does not involve changing
object or viewing distance.
Low vision Optical Devices
Magnifier
• a device used by low-vision patients to enlarge objects for better
viewing,
• usually to facilitate reading and writing
Type of Magnifiers
1)Magnifying spectacles & Spectacle mounted
Magnifiers
2) Hand magnifiers
3)Stand magnifiers
4)Telescopes
5)Electronic magnifiers
1)Magnifying spectacles

• High plus reading glasses to magnify the images

• Given as an add to the best distance refraction
• Magnification is 1/4 th the power of the lens
• Used for near work
• Amount of add needed depends on the accommodation and the
reading distance
Cont.
• Reading add can be predicted using the Kestenbaum rule
• i.e. the amount of add needed to read 1M print is the inverse of the
visual acuity fraction.
• However usually greater add is required than predicted as the patient
also has reduced contrast sensitivity
Cont.
• If the patient is monocular, the poorer eye may be occluded if it
improves the functioning
• When binocular corrections are needed: Base in prisms are added to
compensate for convergence angle. Optical center may be decent red
• Aspheric lenses may be used to reduce lenticular distortion
Types & designs
1)Binocular spectacles
2) Monocular spectacles-standard aspheric lenses from +4D to +20D in
2D increments-specially designed microscopic and double lenses from
+24D to 60D.
• 3)Half eye glasses are preferable because they reduce the weight,
thickness & size for near vision.
Spectacle mounted Magnifiers
• Has large total field of view
• Improved Acuity
• ‘Normal’ appearance of spectacle
• Px’s psychological preference for using both eyes
Cont.
Advantage
• Hands are free
• Field of view larger when
compared to telescope
• Greater reading speed
• Can be given in both monocular
and binocular forms
• More portable
• Cosmetically acceptable
Disadvantage
• Higher the power, closer the
reading distance
• Close reading distance causes
fatigue and unacceptable
posture
• Patients with eccentric fixation
are unable to fix through these
glasses
2) Hand magnifiers
• A hand-held telescope is called a telescopic "monocular," because it is
• used with one eye and has a single eyepiece. Generally, it is used for
short
• viewing periods, such as reading a street sign, house number
Type and Design
• Available from +4 to+40D
• Their magnification is variable, since the power varies with distance
between the object and focal point of magnifier.
• These has wide field of vision, light weight, self-contained
illumination.
Cont.
Advantage
• Working distance is more
• Accommodation is not required
for reading
• Easy to view eccentrically
Disadvantage
• Hand is not free.
• Inconvenient and tiring
• Reduced field of vision when
compared to spectacles.
• Not useful in the absence of
manual dexterity.
• Need to be held at correct distance
to obtain maximum power.
3)Stand magnifiers
• The magnifiers are stand mounted
• The patient needs to place the stand magnifier on the reading
material and move across the page to read
• Has a fixed focus
Cont.

Advantage
• Technically simple as they are
prefocused and rest on a rigid
mount.
• Choice for patients with hand
tremors.
• Arthritis and constricted visual
fields
Disadvantage
• Small field of vision
• Difficult to use if surface is not
flat.
• Too close reading posture is
uncomfortable for the patient
• Blocks good lighting unless self
illuminated
4)Telescopes
• Work on the principle of angular magnification
• Telescopes with magnification power from 2x to 10x are prescribed
• They can be prescribed for near, intermediate and distant tasks
• Field of view decreases with magnification
• Types:
• › Hand held monocular
• › Clip on design
• › Bioptic design: mounted on a pair of eyeglasses
Cont.
• Telescopes can be either hand held or spectacle mounted.
• The poorer the vision, stronger is the power of the telescope
required.
• The maximum power useful for hand held type is 8X and for spectacle
type is 4X.
Indications
• Telescopic spectacle systems are used for intermittent basis for
sedentary distance viewing.
• Telescopic systems are used when it is not possible to obtain
magnification by moving closer.
• Hand held and ring style telescopes are used for distance spotting.
Telemicroscopse
• For near and intermediate tasks, one can focus the telescope for near
viewing by
• a)adding plus lenses behind the optics of telescope
• b)adding plus lenses infront of objective lenses
• c)increasing the tube length of telescope.
Limitations
• Reduction in the field of vision
• Ring scotomas
• Parallax and a decrease in the depth of focus
• Not useful for ordinary distance viewing as illumination decreases.
• These are consider controversial for driving because of constricted
fields.
Reference
• Low vision aids magnification
• low-visionaid
• Low vision principles and Practice by Christine Dickinson