[Possibilities of special correction in restoration of reading capacity in poorly sighted patients]

A total of 1012 patients aged 6-94 years (31.9% aged under 19 years, 25.2% aged 20-60 years, and 42.9% aged over 60) with poor sight, 83% of whom could not read book type, were examined. Corrected far visual acuity was 0.03-0.35, in 52.7% of these 0.1-0.2 and in 38.2% less than 0.1. The most incident diseases were retinal and optic nerve disease (40.6%), complicated myopia (15%), congenital ocular diseases (17.3%), aphakia (9.8%), and glaucoma (7.9%). In order to select correction, near visual acuity, reading acuity, and reading speed were evaluated. Optic magnifiers, such as hyperocular eyeglasses, magnifying glasses of different types (supporting, applied, special, manual, and telescopic) were used for correction. Four-fold magnifiers were prescribed most often (67.3%). Optic magnifiers allowed reading in 78% cases. The decisive factors of the device efficiency were reading acuity (no more than 48 points) and reading speed (at least 200 signs/min). Ocular disease, visual field status, patient's age and psychosomatic state, and technological characteristics of the device are also important factors.