Evaluation of reading speed with four low vision aids

Four commonly prescribed low vision aids of equivalent power were evaluated to determine maximum reading speed of normally sighted young adults. Subjects tested were fully sighted and of similar educational backgrounds. Presentation of the four aids was designed to duplicate common clinical methods of evaluating these categories of aids. Limitations imposed under these conditions on reading speed by the optics of the four systems were determined. Maximum reading speed was attained with microscopes, followed by (in order) hand magnifiers, focusable telescopes, and stand magnifiers. Results have implications on clinicians' initial performance expectations for these categories of optical aids for patients having low vision.