A reading aid for patients with macular blindness

A new reading aid (called "kraspegig") for patients with macular blindness is described. It is based on the principle that, in peripheral vision, our attention is strongly drawn to moving objects. Accordingly, it sets the reading matter moving with respect to the patient's retina. Its essential part is a patterned mask into which is cut a window through which a few words of text can be seen. As the mask is slid along, the patient follows it with his eyes, so that the text lags behind. A magnifier is part of the device.