Does Training in the Use of a Magnifier Improve Efficiency?
Provision of optical devices without proper instruction
and training may cause frustration resulting in rejection or incorrect
use of the magnifiers. However training in the use of magnifiers
increases the cost of providing these devices. This study compared
the efficacy of providing instruction alone and instruction plus
training in the use of magnifiers. 24 participants randomly assigned
to two groups. 15 received instruction and training and 9 received
instruction only. Repeated measures of print size and reading speed
were performed at pre, post training and follow up. Print size
decreased in both groups between pre and post training maintained at
follow up. Reading speed increased in both groups over time with the
training group demonstrating more rapid improvement. Whilst
overall outcomes were similar, training decreased the time required
to increase reading speed supporting the use of training for increased
efficiency. A cost effective form of training is suggested.
[1] C. Kupfer, The National Eye Institute-s low vision education program:
improving quality of life (editorial). Lancet Neurol, 2000, 107(2), 229-
230.
[2] M.P.J. Vervloed, N.M.A. Janssen, H. Knoors, Visual rehabilitation of
children with visual impairments. J Dev Behav Peds, 2006. 27(6), 493-
506.
[3] Nilsson, U. L., and Nilsson, S. E. (1986). Rehabilitation of the visually
handicapped with advanced macular degeneration. A follow-up study at
the Low Vision Clinic, Department of Ophthalmology, University of
Linkoping. Docum Ophthalmol, 62, 345-67.
[4] Raasch, T.W., Leat, S.J., Kleinstein, R.N., Bullimore, M.A., and Cutter,
G.R. (1997). Outcomes of low vision-vision services. J Am Optom
Assoc, 68, 287-93.
[5] Mancil, G.L., and Nowakowski, R. (1986). Evaluation of reading speed
with four low vision aids. Am J Optom Physiol Opt, 63, 708-13.
[6] Dickinson, C. (1998). Low Vision: Principles and Practice. (4th ed).
London: Butterworth- Heinemann.
[7] Herreros, M.J.G., Mateus, G.G., Garcia, M.A., Ramon, M.P., and
Mosquete, J.V. (1998). Characteristics of reading performed by lowvision
persons. In: Vision -96, Book 2, International Conference on Low
Vision Proceedings. Madrid: Organization of Nacional de Ciegos
Espanoles, 28-35.
[8] Watson, G., and Berg, R.V. (1983). Near training techniques. In T.T.
Jose (Ed.). Understanding low vision (pp 317-362). New York:
American Foundation for the Blind.
[9] Backman, O. (1994). Reading skills, reading training and technology for
the visually handicapped-prospects for the 1990s. Proceedings from the
International conference on low vision: Vision 1993, Groningen,
Netherland. In A.C. Kooijman, P.L. Looijestijn, J.A. Welling and G.J.
van der Wildt (Eds.), Low Vision. Research and New Developments in
Rehabilitation, Vol 11 (Rehabilitation of Visual Impairment, part III).
Amsterdam, Netherlands: IOS Press.
[10] Scott, I.U., Smiddy, W.E., Schiffman, J., Feuer, W.J., and Pappas, C.J.
(1999). Quality of life of patients with low vision and the impact of lowvision
services. Am J Ophthalmol, 128, 54-62.
[11] Watson, G.R., Schuchard, R., Wyse, E., and Del-Aune, W. (2000). The
relationship of reading ability to scotoma and preferred retinal locus
characteristics. Annual Meeting of the Rehabilitation Research and
Development Service of the Department of Veterans Affairs,
Washington.
[12] Nilsson, U.L. (1990). Visual rehabilitation with and without educational
training in the use of optical aids and residual vision. A prospective
study of patients with advanced age-related macular degeneration. Clin
Vis Sci, 6, 3-10.
[13] Cheong, A.M.Y., Lovie-Kitchin, J.E., and Bowers, A.R. (2005). Short
term in office practice improves reading performance with stand
magnifiers for people with AMD. Optom Vis Sci, 82(2), 114-127.
[14] Stelmack, J.A., Tang, X.C., Reda, D.J., Rinne, S., Mancil, R.M., Massof,
R.W., and LOVIT Study Group. (2008). Outcomes of the veterans
affairs low vision intervention trial (LOVIT). Arch Opthalmol, 126(5),
608-17.
[15] Ahn, S.J., Legge, G.E., and Luebker, A. (1995). Printed cards for
measuring low-vision reading speed. Vision Res, 35, 1939-1944.
[16] Lovie-Kitchin, J.E., Bowers, A.R., and Woods, R.L. (2000). Oral and
silent reading performance with macular degeneration. Ophthalmic
Physiol Opt, 20, 360-70.
[17] Cheong, A.M.Y., Lovie-Kitchin, J.E., and Bowers, A.R. (2002)
Determining magnification for reading with low vision. Clin Exp.
Optom, 85, 229-237.
[18] McMahon, T.T., and Spigelman, V. (1989). Reading with a stand
magnifier: 1 Effect of text configuration and experience on normal
subjects. J Vis Rehab, 3, 19-23.
[19] Bowers, A.R. (2000a). Eye movements and reading with plus-lens
magnifiers. Optom Vis Sci, 77, 25-33.
[20] Bowers, A.R., Cheong, A.M.Y., and Lovie-Kitchin, J.E. (2002). Factors
affecting page navigation with optical magnifiers. Vision 2002: Seventh
International Conference on Low Vision. Sweden:International Society
for Low Vision Research and Rehabilitation. Abstract R3.8. Retrived
from http://www.islrr.org/Vision02/247.html.
[21] Lovie-Kitchin, J.E., and Bevan, J.D. (1982). Paediatric low vision - a
survey. Aust J Optom, 65, 169-77.
[22] Corn, A.L., Wall, R.S., Jose, R.T., Bell, J.K., Wilcox, K., and Perez, A.
(2002). An initial study of reading and comprehension rates for students
who received optical devices. Vis Impair Blind, 96, 1-9.
[23] Nilsson, S. E. G., and Nilsson, U. L. (1994). Educational training in the
use of aids and residual vision is essential in rehabilitation of patients
with severe age-related macular degeneration. I. Principle and Methods.
In A. C. Kooijman, P. L. Looijestijn, J. A. Welling, and G. J. van der
Wildt (Eds.). Low Vision: Research and New Developments in
Rehabilitation (pp. 147-154). Amsterdam: IOS Press.
[24] Langmann, A., Lindner, S., and Kollegger, E. (1994). Low vision
training for better usage of magnifying visual aids. Ophthalmologica,
208, 92-94.
[25] Goodrich, G.L., and Quillman, R.D. (1977). Training eccentric viewing.
J Vis Impair Blind, 71(9), 377-81.
[26] Watson, G.R., Wright, V., and De l'Aune, W. (1992). The efficacy of
comprehension training and reading practice for print readers with
macular loss. J Vis Impair Blind, 86, 37-43.
[27] Bowers, A. (2000b). Stand magnifiers: page navigation and short-term
practice effects. In C. Stuen, A. Arditi, A. Horowitz, M.A. Lang, B.
Rosenthal, and K.R. Seidman (Eds.). Vision Rehabilitation - Assessment,
Intervention and Outcomes (pp.319-323). Lisse: Swets and Zeitlinger.
[1] C. Kupfer, The National Eye Institute-s low vision education program:
improving quality of life (editorial). Lancet Neurol, 2000, 107(2), 229-
230.
[2] M.P.J. Vervloed, N.M.A. Janssen, H. Knoors, Visual rehabilitation of
children with visual impairments. J Dev Behav Peds, 2006. 27(6), 493-
506.
[3] Nilsson, U. L., and Nilsson, S. E. (1986). Rehabilitation of the visually
handicapped with advanced macular degeneration. A follow-up study at
the Low Vision Clinic, Department of Ophthalmology, University of
Linkoping. Docum Ophthalmol, 62, 345-67.
[4] Raasch, T.W., Leat, S.J., Kleinstein, R.N., Bullimore, M.A., and Cutter,
G.R. (1997). Outcomes of low vision-vision services. J Am Optom
Assoc, 68, 287-93.
[5] Mancil, G.L., and Nowakowski, R. (1986). Evaluation of reading speed
with four low vision aids. Am J Optom Physiol Opt, 63, 708-13.
[6] Dickinson, C. (1998). Low Vision: Principles and Practice. (4th ed).
London: Butterworth- Heinemann.
[7] Herreros, M.J.G., Mateus, G.G., Garcia, M.A., Ramon, M.P., and
Mosquete, J.V. (1998). Characteristics of reading performed by lowvision
persons. In: Vision -96, Book 2, International Conference on Low
Vision Proceedings. Madrid: Organization of Nacional de Ciegos
Espanoles, 28-35.
[8] Watson, G., and Berg, R.V. (1983). Near training techniques. In T.T.
Jose (Ed.). Understanding low vision (pp 317-362). New York:
American Foundation for the Blind.
[9] Backman, O. (1994). Reading skills, reading training and technology for
the visually handicapped-prospects for the 1990s. Proceedings from the
International conference on low vision: Vision 1993, Groningen,
Netherland. In A.C. Kooijman, P.L. Looijestijn, J.A. Welling and G.J.
van der Wildt (Eds.), Low Vision. Research and New Developments in
Rehabilitation, Vol 11 (Rehabilitation of Visual Impairment, part III).
Amsterdam, Netherlands: IOS Press.
[10] Scott, I.U., Smiddy, W.E., Schiffman, J., Feuer, W.J., and Pappas, C.J.
(1999). Quality of life of patients with low vision and the impact of lowvision
services. Am J Ophthalmol, 128, 54-62.
[11] Watson, G.R., Schuchard, R., Wyse, E., and Del-Aune, W. (2000). The
relationship of reading ability to scotoma and preferred retinal locus
characteristics. Annual Meeting of the Rehabilitation Research and
Development Service of the Department of Veterans Affairs,
Washington.
[12] Nilsson, U.L. (1990). Visual rehabilitation with and without educational
training in the use of optical aids and residual vision. A prospective
study of patients with advanced age-related macular degeneration. Clin
Vis Sci, 6, 3-10.
[13] Cheong, A.M.Y., Lovie-Kitchin, J.E., and Bowers, A.R. (2005). Short
term in office practice improves reading performance with stand
magnifiers for people with AMD. Optom Vis Sci, 82(2), 114-127.
[14] Stelmack, J.A., Tang, X.C., Reda, D.J., Rinne, S., Mancil, R.M., Massof,
R.W., and LOVIT Study Group. (2008). Outcomes of the veterans
affairs low vision intervention trial (LOVIT). Arch Opthalmol, 126(5),
608-17.
[15] Ahn, S.J., Legge, G.E., and Luebker, A. (1995). Printed cards for
measuring low-vision reading speed. Vision Res, 35, 1939-1944.
[16] Lovie-Kitchin, J.E., Bowers, A.R., and Woods, R.L. (2000). Oral and
silent reading performance with macular degeneration. Ophthalmic
Physiol Opt, 20, 360-70.
[17] Cheong, A.M.Y., Lovie-Kitchin, J.E., and Bowers, A.R. (2002)
Determining magnification for reading with low vision. Clin Exp.
Optom, 85, 229-237.
[18] McMahon, T.T., and Spigelman, V. (1989). Reading with a stand
magnifier: 1 Effect of text configuration and experience on normal
subjects. J Vis Rehab, 3, 19-23.
[19] Bowers, A.R. (2000a). Eye movements and reading with plus-lens
magnifiers. Optom Vis Sci, 77, 25-33.
[20] Bowers, A.R., Cheong, A.M.Y., and Lovie-Kitchin, J.E. (2002). Factors
affecting page navigation with optical magnifiers. Vision 2002: Seventh
International Conference on Low Vision. Sweden:International Society
for Low Vision Research and Rehabilitation. Abstract R3.8. Retrived
from http://www.islrr.org/Vision02/247.html.
[21] Lovie-Kitchin, J.E., and Bevan, J.D. (1982). Paediatric low vision - a
survey. Aust J Optom, 65, 169-77.
[22] Corn, A.L., Wall, R.S., Jose, R.T., Bell, J.K., Wilcox, K., and Perez, A.
(2002). An initial study of reading and comprehension rates for students
who received optical devices. Vis Impair Blind, 96, 1-9.
[23] Nilsson, S. E. G., and Nilsson, U. L. (1994). Educational training in the
use of aids and residual vision is essential in rehabilitation of patients
with severe age-related macular degeneration. I. Principle and Methods.
In A. C. Kooijman, P. L. Looijestijn, J. A. Welling, and G. J. van der
Wildt (Eds.). Low Vision: Research and New Developments in
Rehabilitation (pp. 147-154). Amsterdam: IOS Press.
[24] Langmann, A., Lindner, S., and Kollegger, E. (1994). Low vision
training for better usage of magnifying visual aids. Ophthalmologica,
208, 92-94.
[25] Goodrich, G.L., and Quillman, R.D. (1977). Training eccentric viewing.
J Vis Impair Blind, 71(9), 377-81.
[26] Watson, G.R., Wright, V., and De l'Aune, W. (1992). The efficacy of
comprehension training and reading practice for print readers with
macular loss. J Vis Impair Blind, 86, 37-43.
[27] Bowers, A. (2000b). Stand magnifiers: page navigation and short-term
practice effects. In C. Stuen, A. Arditi, A. Horowitz, M.A. Lang, B.
Rosenthal, and K.R. Seidman (Eds.). Vision Rehabilitation - Assessment,
Intervention and Outcomes (pp.319-323). Lisse: Swets and Zeitlinger.
@article{"International Journal of Medical, Medicine and Health Sciences:64973", author = "Norliza Mohamad Fadzil and Kerry Fitzmaurice and Linda Malesic", title = "Does Training in the Use of a Magnifier Improve Efficiency?", abstract = "Provision of optical devices without proper instruction
and training may cause frustration resulting in rejection or incorrect
use of the magnifiers. However training in the use of magnifiers
increases the cost of providing these devices. This study compared
the efficacy of providing instruction alone and instruction plus
training in the use of magnifiers. 24 participants randomly assigned
to two groups. 15 received instruction and training and 9 received
instruction only. Repeated measures of print size and reading speed
were performed at pre, post training and follow up. Print size
decreased in both groups between pre and post training maintained at
follow up. Reading speed increased in both groups over time with the
training group demonstrating more rapid improvement. Whilst
overall outcomes were similar, training decreased the time required
to increase reading speed supporting the use of training for increased
efficiency. A cost effective form of training is suggested.", keywords = "Low vision, magnification, training, reading.", volume = "6", number = "12", pages = "746-4", }