Hands Free Magnifier

A hands free magnifier can allow you to read, sew or perform your favorite hobby without having to hold a magnifier. As your macular degeneration progresses you will benefit from using different magnifiers for different tasks.

A handheld magnifier is good for briefly looking at a photo, reading a label or a price tag, but it can quickly be problematic if you are trying to use your hands and use the magnifier at the same time.

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There are several magnifiers for macular degeneration that are hands free. Sometimes you will just need to try different styles to find out what you like best. Inquire about the return policy before you buy so that you can return the magnifier if it doesn't meet your needs.

These low vision magnifiers can come in many styles. So you will need to ...

identify what task you will use it for,

what magnifying power you need and

where you will be using the magnifier.

Neck Magnifier

Do you get tired of holding your magnifier and having to constantly adjust it to get it focused? Try one of these neck magnifiers for when your want to sit in your favorite chair and enjoy your favorite author.

This necklace magnifier by Carson offers a viewing area of 5" and magnifies 2x. 

The lens is scratch resistant and is mounted in a sturdy, but lightweight frame, so it is comfortable to wear for extended amounts of time. The string or lanyard is adjustable so that each individual can benefit from it being at just the right distance from the reading material.

Some of these neck magnifiers also offer illumination with battery operated bright LED lights. A lighted hands free magnifier can be useful for other hobbies besides reading. Use it for crafts or other detailed work so that your hands are free to hold tools, printed material, or sewing needles.

Headband Magnifier

A headband magnifier is worn like glasses and your hands are free to work on your hobbies that require detailed vision or for just looking through the mail.

Keeping your hands free, a head magnifier can be used for hobbies or doing repair work in the garage or basement. Use this magnifier for doing fine detailed work like needlework, electronics, detailed gluing, soldering, etc. If close accurate work is something you do or enjoy, then a head magnifier is a great addition to your visual aids for macular degeneration.

1. Power of the Magnification

2. Lighted or not Lighted

3. Focal Length

How close do you need to be to do your detailed work

4. Lightweight and Adjustable Band

5. Wear over Prescription Glasses

6. Flip up When Not Needed

7. High quality lens for clarity

8. Wide Viewing Area

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The lenses are interchangeable so you can buy more than one. Remember that the stronger the magnification, the closer you need to be to the object you are viewing. Many people like the wide viewing area and use it for reading.

Magnifying Lamps

Magnifying lamps provide three features that are most needed by those with macular degeneration - light, magnification and hands free. A magnifier floor lamp can be set next to your favorite reading chair so all you have to do is hold the book.

Choose an adjustable lamp - either with a swing arm or a gooseneck so that the light and the magnifier can be positioned so that the magnifier is in focus and for the light to shine on the reading material or hobby.

LED lights offer several benefits - they are cool and won't get hot like other types of bulbs and they won't burn out (well, maybe after 100,000 hours of use they will).  While the magnification of most floor lamp magnifiers are 2X to 3X the bright LED lights make this lower power magnifier useful to many people with macular degeneration.  The Brighttech brand allows you to adjust the brightness by simply tapping the lamp. 

The 5" diameter lens provides lots of viewing area so it's large enough to show your reading material without having to move it around. 

A sturdy weighted base will keep it from tipping over.  Just set it next to a favorite chair or work surface.  

Lens clarity is another important feature and is usually found with a glass rather than acrylic lens. 

Magnifying Desk Lamp

A magnifying desklamp can be used at your desk, workbench or craft table for hobbies like sewing, jewelry making or small engine repair.

A gooseneck desk lamp is useful for office work, hobbies or crafts that need a flat surface to work on - whether it is a work bench in the basement or a craft table in a spare bedroom.

The Carson magnifying desk lamp is about 3.5" in diameter allowing one to see a larger area than what most hand held magnifiers can accommodate. The magnifying power combined with bright LED lights reduces eye strain and makes it possible to see small pieces or lettering.

A gooseneck makes it easy to bend the magnifier and light to just the right position for clarity and brightness and a weighted base prevents it from tipping over. Cool LED lights mean it can be left on for hours without getting hot and they never burn out.

Clamp on Hands Free Magnifier

You can use a clamp on hands free magnifier at your workbench, craft table, desk or counter. Simply clamp the hands free magnifier onto the table, counter or surface where you need additional magnification.

The three features you want to look for in this type of magnifier is a high quality clear lens, added lights, and a gooseneck or adjustable arm.

Light allows a person to see better with less magnification and an adjustable arm allows the light and magnifier to be placed at just the right spot.

A clip on magnifier with light provides these benefits:

It can be moved and placed where needed - a desk, a counter, a table, or a work bench. The clamp on this one will accommodate up to 2.5" thickness.

2. Magnification

Don't give up hobbies or crafts that you enjoy because you can't see the details anymore with your regular glasses. 

3. Light

With better light comes better vision. Take this clamping magnifier anyplace that doesn't have light - because the light is built right into the magnifier.

4. Flexibility

The gooseneck on this magnifier is durable yet flexible so that it can be maneuvered into any position - AND it stays there.

5. Low Temperature Light Bulb

You can clamp on this magnifier where ever you are doing your project - on a workbench in the garage or your sewing table in the bedroom.  

It's important that once the light and magnifier are adjusted to where your project is in good focus, that the adjustable arm stays there. This one does that.

Use this type of magnifier for hobbies like needlework, fly tying, jewelry making, wiring, or other hobbies that require detailed vision.

Clamp on Hands Free Magnifiers with Light

Magnifying Glasses with Light

Keep lighted magnifying glasses at your desk, workbench, garage, kitchen or basement to help with tasks that require any close up work. Some of the things to look for are:

1. Lightweight

2. Fits over your prescription glasses

3. Adjustable fit and comfortable

4. Correct power magnifier for you

This magnifying visor has 5 interchangeable lenses.

The magnification power of the 5 lenses are 1x, 1.5x, 2x, 2.5x, 3.5x. In addition to magnification this one includes a rechargeable LED light.  The distortion-free optical grade lenses allow you to see small details clearly. The built-in LED Light has 2 brightness modes with the LED light lasting for 4-5 hours if you use it non-stop. Recharges fully within 40 minutes with the USB cord included in the set. 

A hands free magnifier is incredibly versatile -- great for any sort of close work.

Use it to remove a splinter, trim toenails, make jewelry, check your cat's ears, do some delicate bead work, or read that fine print on the medicine bottle.

There are many applications in which this useful magnifier can enhanced your vision.  Keep it handy and you will find that you will use it several times a day.

Enjoy the benefits of a hands free magnifier so you can continue the hobbies and activities that bring you pleasure. 

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