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Low Vision Tools for Independent Living

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, a time to shed light on a condition that affects millions worldwide. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, often caused by increased pressure in the eye. This damage can lead to vision loss, potentially progressing to complete blindness if untreated. While early detection and treatment can help preserve sight, many individuals with glaucoma experience challenges with low vision as they navigate daily life. 

Thankfully, advancements are making it easier for people with low vision to maintain their independence and continue living comfortably in every room at home.  

In the kitchen 

Avid cooks in the kitchen have a wealth of tools to help including measuring cups in braille or with large print, talking timers and thermometers, spice auto-measure carousels, and more. Technology can also help. 

• Most smartphones are now equipped with A.I. assistants who can read-aloud recipes, start timers, and give instructions with a simple voice command. 

• TapTapSee (iOS/Android) is a free smartphone app to identify any object by photo – perfect for knowing what’s in the cupboard.  
• Portions Master (iOS/Android) helps chefs track calories and nutrients through a photo of their plate, which means chefs don’t need to read nutrition facts printed on boxes. 

In the living room 

The living room is a place to relax, entertain and socialize. Most new smart TVs come with voice activated assistance that can turn on the TV, navigate to a streaming service, and play shows without needing to touch a remote. Some free, useful phone apps are: 

• Be My Eyes (iOS/Android) connects individuals with a seeing volunteer to get real-time help, from reading game instructions to setting up entertainment systems; there’s an option to send in a photo for AI help as well. 

• Libby is a library app for borrowing eBooks, audiobooks, movies and music playable on your preferred device. You need a free library card, and some libraries let you join their Libby without living nearby. If you’d like a bigger selection, see if there’s a library that offers digital cards. 

• BARD Mobile (iOS/Android) is the Braille and Audio Reading Download service. Provided by the National Library Service, it offers free access to books, magazines, and music scores in audio and braille formats. 
• YouTube is a great source for listening to your favorite music artists for free and has AI assistance. 

In the office 

The office is the place to focus and get organized. Voice-controlled AI assistants can manage calendars, send emails, and set reminders. stay organized and productive in consider: 

• Evernote (iOS/Android) is a searchable note-taking app to record voice notes and reminders, capture photos, and create to-do lists, as well as other applications.  
• Claro MagX (iOS) turns Apple devices into magnifiers, making small items on the screen larger. Different levels of magnification, high-contrast, and color viewing options are available. 

For all the things tools and technology can’t do, there’s home care. Family Home Health bridges the gaps by providing services like meal preparation, housekeeping, laundry, errands, and more. Check out our services here.