Software programs for the visually impaired

cathythompson · May 30, 2011

I am in the process of shopping for software for my father who has macular degeneration.

Can anyone help me with information on the programs available for the low vision user?

He only has dial-up service where he lives. It would be very helpful to be able to see actual reviews of low vision software by low vision users.

Any help is appreciated

augiedoggie · May 30, 2011

Welcome aboard cathy. How much magnification does dad need? I just hold down 'Ctrl' + 'scroll wheel up' in IE and if he needs larger icons/characters in Windows, then there's an option for that in XP and up, called 'Ease of Access' or something along that line. I also just bought a 24" LCD monitor for $200 which has amazed me. Good luck there as mac degen really sucks.

Oh, I'll send a message for you to a mac degen researcher who can probably help you more than I can. He's a busy man so it might take a couple of days. He's an administrator here.

DavidGP · Jun 3, 2011

Hi Cathy

Sorry to hear of your fathers bad time with AMD, its a very nasty eye condition that affects or may affect us all as we get older, hard part in suggesting software for a PC is that the disease has multiple issues in that it affects each person differently, for instance the Scotoma (central blind spot, can be like a grey patch that obscures vision to a blurry/wavy vision issue, where text and images have a ripple effect in them) can be so bad that no software can help sadly.

Is it Dry Advanced Macular Degeneration or Wet/end Stage Macular Degeneration? DO NOT HAVE TO ANSWER me on this, but gives me a feel for what your father is dealing with.

What Windows version is he using?

Windows 7 has a great magnifier that many patients I see say works ok for them in reading internet or application text, but it may not help all. You can also use in many Windows version they Accessibility options and some listed below

Windows XP
Windows Vista
Windows 7

Some of the options may help.

A quick disclaimer in that my advice while I work with AMD patients weekly and I am involved with multiple research projects into AMD, is that my advice is just that a personal opinion on what could help software wise and its a good option to speak to your local specialist ophthalmologist that deals in AMD, as they may depending on your medical provider have what in the UK is called a Low Vision Assessment (LVA) this assessment can help with sourcing aids to help read, do daily tasks to training the eye to use the peripheral vision to counteract the central loss, so do seek a local professionals help.

Maybe some local user groups that deal in eye conditions, plus some websites have great advise also in

http://www.rnib.org.uk/eyehealth/eyeconditions/conditionsac/Pages/amd.aspx
http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/maculardegen/armd_facts.asp
http://www.amdalliance.org/ (very good advice and site)

and if it only so far affects one eye, then do make sure that your father keeps check on the other eye with closing the affected eye and looking at straight lines as in a door frame for distortion or in general vision for grey blank patches and an Amsler grid can help and one is here

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Software programs for the visually impaired

cathythompson Private E-2

augiedoggie The Canadian Loon - LocoAugie (R.I.P. 2012)

DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member