Spectacle/loupe telescope designed for reading music

The optical needs of most low-vision patients can be satisfied with one or more of a large array of prefabricated, off-the-shelf, handheld or spectacle-mounted devices. When these devices do not provide the expected or desired results, a practitioner has the opportunity to design a custom-made device to satisfy the vision demands of the patient.

A patient with a history of having tried several devices to see his music while playing the violin was examined and a simple, inexpensive. Galilean telescopic device was formulated, designed, and constructed. The objective was to create a telescope that would provide adequate magnification with a wider field of view than was available with prefabricated devices. The components needed to generate the required magnification were determined using basic telescope design concepts and equations.

For patients with intermediate and/or distance symptoms testing with a telescope is an important part of the low-vision evaluation. Field of view, expense, and the time required to obtain the device are important considerations in deciding what to prescribe. The pathology involved, task demands, time since onset of decreased acuity, and personality of the patient will dictate, to a large degree, the acceptance of the device.