Reading Assessment

When selecting any magnifying device it is important that the person who is going to use the unit does an assessment of their near vision requirement prior to ordering.

The best way to assess the required magnification is by using a Near Vision Reading Chart. The chart assumes a need to read standard newsprint, i.e. 8 point Times New Roman print.

Using the chart decide which is the smallest size of print that can be read comfortably. The figure next to that size of print on the chart is the optimum magnification required.

This figure is arrived at by a simple rule of thumb:

Magnification Required = Smallest Comfortable Test Type Size/Required Test Type Size

E.g. If a visually impaired person can just read the N24 line on the chart, and they would like to read newsprint which is N8: Magnification Required = N24/N8 = 3x

However it should be noted that some individuals might require more or less magnification depending on their visual impairment, field loss or expectations.

Once the optimum magnification has been determined it is necessary to decide upon the form of magnifier that will best suit the individual's needs.

For information on visual device suppliers in your area please contact us.