Enhanced Vision,  America’s leading manufacturer of electronic magnifying devices for the visually impaired, launched a flexible solution that will bring independence to many people currently struggling with various low vision conditions including Macular Degeneration, Retinitis Pigmentosa or Stargardt’s disease.

Transformer’s intuitive design adapts to the diverse needs and lifestyles of individuals with low vision. For the student who can’t see the blackboard to write down daily assignments, the employee who can’t see the spreadsheets or follow along during a presentation and anyone else in-between, Transformer USB portable electronic magnifier is quite the welcomed solution. “Because of its adaptability, Transformer USB is the ideal choice for anyone who has ever wanted more out of a magnification device,” said Barron Javaheri, President of Enhanced Vision.

Transformer features:

• Lightweight design
• Magnification up to 30x
• Camera rotates 330 degrees for reading, distance & self viewing modes
• Auto install software / plug & play
• USB connectivity for laptop computer*
• Compatible with popular magnification software & the latest windows operating systems
• Captures and stores images
• 28 custom color select modes
• Self contained on/off LED lighting
• Battery operated – up to 4 hours
• Includes soft carrying case and cloth sleeve
• Memory setting for each camera position
• 2 year warranty

Click here for more information on the Transformer USB!

*Minimum Requirements Apply

A gentleman recently contacted Enhanced Vision about the wonderful experience he has had with his Acrobat Long Arm. Frank is a dental technician and he constructs false teeth for a living. His work is very detailed and prior to his Acrobat, he was not able to see well enough to work anymore.

However, with his Acrobat Long Arm, he is able to work again and he makes impeccable products for his clients. He is independent again and is working just as well as he did before he was diagnosed with low vision.

Acrobat Long Arm Key Features:
Longer arm provides flexibility to work on larger projects. You can configure the Acrobat in a variety of ways to meet your specific needs. Connect the unit to a computer monitor or TV or portable viewing panel.

• Clamps easily to a table or desk
• Can be connected to either a TV or computer monitor (Please specify when ordering)
• Auto focus 3-in-1 camera for seeing yourself up close, reading and distance viewing
• True mirror image while in self-viewing mode
• Memory settings for each camera position
• Various arms and positioning options provides maximum flexibility
• Detachable camera for use at multiple workstations
• 19″ or 22″ monitors provide up to 75x adjustable magnification
• 7 viewing modes to optimize contrast and brightness
• Wrap around dual keypad allows easy access to controls
• Computer compatible (Additional hardware required)
• Optional rolling carrying case for easy transport
• Left-hand mode
• Line markers, object locator, remote control and more…
• 2 year warranty

What is a cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision. Most cataracts are related to aging. Cataracts are very common in older people. By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery.

A cataract can occur in either or both eyes. It cannot spread from one eye to the other.

What is the lens?

The lens is a clear part of the eye that helps to focus light, or an image, on the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.

In a normal eye, light passes through the transparent lens to the retina. Once it reaches the retina, light is changed into nerve signals that are sent to the brain.

The lens must be clear for the retina to receive a sharp image. If the lens is cloudy from a cataract, the image you see will be blurred.

Are there other types of cataract

Yes. Although most cataracts are related to aging, there are other types of cataract:

1. Secondary cataract. Cataracts can form after surgery for other eye problems, such as glaucoma. Cataracts also can develop in people who have other health problems, such as diabetes. Cataracts are sometimes linked to steroid use.
2. Traumatic cataract. Cataracts can develop after an eye injury, sometimes years later.
3. Congenital cataract. Some babies are born with cataracts or develop them in childhood, often in both eyes. These cataracts may be so small that they do not affect vision. If they do, the lenses may need to be removed.
4. Radiation cataract. Cataracts can develop after exposure to some types of radiation.

Click here to view our complete line of vision enhancement products to fit your individual needs.

National Eye Institute. Facts About Cataract.

What is Macular Degeneration

Age Related Macular Degeneration is a degenerative disease of the retina that causes progressive loss of vision in the center of the eye. People describe it as having a spot or blurry space in the middle of their vision that interferes with daily tasks like reading and driving. There are two types of macular degeneration, dry and wet.

Dry Age Related Macular Degeneration results when yellow-white deposits called drusen accumulate under the macula, which is the central portion of the retina. Scientists don’t know exactly why this occurs.

In Wet Age Related Macular Degeneration, abnormal blood vessel growth forms under the macula and leaks fluid damaging photoreceptor cells. Wet Age Related Macular Degeneration can progress rapidly and cause serious damage. If it’s caught early, however, laser surgery may be able to prevent extensive vision loss.

The risk of developing macular degeneration increases with age and the disease is the most common cause of vision loss in people over the age of 55, particularly women. While it significantly reduces vision, Age Related Macular Degeneration does not cause total blindness.

If you have suffered vision loss due to Age Related Macular Degeneration your doctor will probably refer you to a low vision specialist. This dedicated eye care professional will be able to evaluate your available vision and refer you to other specialists who can assist with rehabilitation and resources.

To learn more about vision rehabilitation please read our article called: “Vision Rehabilitation is the Key”.

Most of all, realize that you are not alone. Millions of Americans experience low vision through various eye diseases, like Macular Degeneration, and there are many organizations, professionals and resources available to you. In addition to these resources there are products, like digital magnification, which allow you to maintain your independence through the vision loss process.

Please visit our low vision products page to view our complete line of vision enhancement products to fit your individual needs.

What is diabetic eye disease?

Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of eye problems that people with diabetes may face as a complication of diabetes. All can cause severe vision loss or even blindness.

Diabetic eye disease may include:

• Diabetic retinopathy—damage to the blood vessels in the retina.
• Cataract—clouding of the eye’s lens. Cataracts develop at an earlier age in people with diabetes.
• Glaucoma—increase in fluid pressure inside the eye that leads to optic nerve damage and loss of vision. A person with diabetes is nearly twice as likely to get glaucoma as other adults.

What is diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease and a leading cause of blindness in American adults. It is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina.

In some people with diabetic retinopathy, blood vessels may swell and leak fluid. In other people, abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. A healthy retina is necessary for good vision.

If you have diabetic retinopathy, at first you may not notice changes to your vision. But over time, diabetic retinopathy can get worse and cause vision loss. Diabetic retinopathy usually affects both eyes.

What are the stages of diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy has four stages:

1. Mild Nonproliferative Retinopathy. At this earliest stage, microaneurysms occur. They are small areas of balloon-like swelling in the retina’s tiny blood vessels.
2. Moderate Nonproliferative Retinopathy. As the disease progresses, some blood vessels that nourish the retina are blocked.
3. Severe Nonproliferative Retinopathy. Many more blood vessels are blocked, depriving several areas of the retina with their blood supply. These areas of the retina send signals to the body to grow new blood vessels for nourishment.
4. Proliferative Retinopathy. At this advanced stage, the signals sent by the retina for nourishment trigger the growth of new blood vessels. This condition is called proliferative retinopathy. These new blood vessels are abnormal and fragile. They grow along the retina and along the surface of the clear, vitreous gel that fills the inside of the eye. By themselves, these blood vessels do not cause symptoms or vision loss. However, they have thin, fragile walls. If they leak blood, severe vision loss and even blindness can result.

Click here to view our complete line of vision enhancement products to fit your individual needs.

National Eye Institute. Facts About Diabetic Retinopathy.

What is Retinitis Pigmentosa

Retinitis Pigmentosa is actually a group of inherited diseases that affect the retina of the eye causing a degeneration of photoreceptor cells. These cells are what capture light enabling us to see. When these cells degenerate, patients experience loss of night vision, color vision and peripheral vision. Eventually tunnel vision may occur. While inherited, Retinitis Pigmentosa may skip generations and therefore is difficult to track. Any person who has a family member with a retinal disease should immediately be tested by an eye care professional.

If you have suffered vision loss due to Retinitis Pigmentosa your doctor will probably refer you to a low vision specialist. This dedicated eye care professional will be able to evaluate your available vision and refer you to other specialists who can assist with rehabilitation and resources.

Click here to learn more about vision rehabilitation.

Most of all, realize that you are not alone. Millions of Americans experience low vision through various eye diseases, like Retinitis Pigmentosa, and there are many organizations, professionals and resources available to you. In addition to these resources there are products, like digital magnification, which allow you to maintain your independence through the vision loss process.

Click here to view our complete line of vision enhancement products to fit your individual needs.

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that can damage the eye’s optic nerve and result in vision loss and blindness. Glaucoma occurs when the normal fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises. However, with early treatment, you can often protect your eyes against serious vision loss.

What is the optic nerve?

The optic nerve is a bundle of more than 1 million nerve fibers. It connects the retina to the brain. (See diagram below.) The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. A healthy optic nerve is necessary for good vision.

What are some other forms of glaucoma?

Open-angle glaucoma is the most common form. Some people have other types of the disease.

1. Low-tension or normal-tension glaucoma. Optic nerve damage and narrowed side vision occur in people with normal eye pressure. Lowering eye pressure at least 30 percent through medicines slows the disease in some people. Glaucoma may worsen in others despite low pressures.
   A comprehensive medical history is important in identifying other potential risk factors, such as low blood pressure, that contribute to low-tension glaucoma. If no risk factors are identified, the treatment options for low-tension glaucoma are the same as for open-angle glaucoma.
2. Angle-closure glaucoma. The fluid at the front of the eye cannot reach the angle and leave the eye. The angle gets blocked by part of the iris. People with this type of glaucoma have a sudden increase in eye pressure. Symptoms include severe pain and nausea, as well as redness of the eye and blurred vision. If you have these symptoms, you need to seek treatment immediately.
   This is a medical emergency. If your doctor is unavailable, go to the nearest hospital or clinic. Without treatment to improve the flow of fluid, the eye can become blind in as few as one or two days. Usually, prompt laser surgery and medicines can clear the blockage and protect sight.
3. Congenital glaucoma. Children are born with a defect in the angle of the eye that slows the normal drainage of fluid. These children usually have obvious symptoms, such as cloudy eyes, sensitivity to light, and excessive tearing. Conventional surgery typically is the suggested treatment, because medicines may have unknown effects in infants and be difficult to administer. Surgery is safe and effective. If surgery is done promptly, these children usually have an excellent chance of having good vision.
4. Secondary glaucomas. These can develop as complications of other medical conditions. These types of glaucomas are sometimes associated with eye surgery or advanced cataracts, eye injuries, certain eye tumors, or uveitis (eye inflammation). Pigmentary glaucoma occurs when pigment from the iris flakes off and blocks the meshwork, slowing fluid drainage. A severe form, called neovascular glaucoma, is linked to diabetes. Corticosteroid drugs used to treat eye inflammations and other diseases can trigger glaucoma in some people. Treatment includes medicines, laser surgery, or conventional surgery.

Click here to view our complete line of vision enhancement products to fit your individual needs.

National Eye Institute. Facts About Glaucoma.