TV Glasses
TV for Visually Impaired

TV glasses make it possible to enjoy your favorite TV programs - whether it is a baseball game, a movie, or your favorite sitcom.

A favorite past time for those with macular degeneration is watching TV. My father-in-law loved watching the Milwaukee Brewers baseball games and we knew to never make a call when a game was on.

His dry macular degeneration had turned to wet and his central vision loss made TV watching less enjoyable. Normally, he would pull up his chair real close to the TV, but when we provided him with these television glasses he could see faces of players, baseball scores and even the tiny numbers that reflect the time and temperature on the bottom of his screen.

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Television Watching Tips

1.  Get a larger TV screen with high definition

Today's TV's with high definition technology and the affordability of larger screens makes television viewing a whole different experience than just a few years ago. The brilliant colors and sharp details are just what those with macular degeneration need. 

2.  Sit closer to the TV

First try sitting closer to the TV screen. If you have a scotoma and you are sitting far from the TV, the grey or black spot may take up a large part of your TV viewing. Sitting closer will reduce the viewing size of your scotoma allowing you to see more of the TV.

3.  Try a pair of distance magnifying TV glasses

Here is my father-in-law wearing a pair of television glasses. The first time he put them on, he was speaking adjectives and phrases like,

"Wow!"

"It's so clear."

"I don't have to sit so close to the TV."

"The TV is no longer blurry."

"I can see the baseball score."

These TV glasses by Eschenbach are best used for TV viewing up to 10 ft away. It provides a magnification of 2.1x.

Because everyone's vision is different in each eye, the glasses allow each eye lens to be individually adjusted  with the rotary knobs located on each side of the binoculars to get the best clarity and focus.

These distance magnifiers maximize the size of the TV and are intended for watching events, movies, or sports. 

 They are not for reading or for close up work.

These lightweight macular degeneration glasses make your TV screen appear twice as large and because the images appear larger there is no need to sit right up close to the television anymore.

Just put them on as you would a regular pair of glasses. You are able to adjust the focus wheel on each temple until the image is right for you. Not everyone with macular degeneration benefits from these TV glasses - it all depends on the severity of vision loss and the size or number of scotomas.

Use them at movie theaters or sporting events as well.  Read reviews from others with macular degeneration and go to Amazon where they ship internationally:

2.1X Eschenbach Max TV Glasses Distance Viewing

If they do not work for you the glasses are returnable.

Voice Activated TV Remote and Fire Stick

We've been using the Amazon Fire stick and voice activated remote for a couple of years.  It's so easy to find a new movie, a TV show or sports game by simply speaking into it. 

You can say things like, "Alexa, find movies with Helen Mirrin" or "Alexa, play Downton Abbey."  Amazon Prime members get unlimited access to thousands of movies and TV episodes.  To watch movies and TV shows in 4K Ultra HD, you need a compatible Ultra HD TV.

Fire TV Stick 4K with Alexa Voice Remote, streaming media player

Large Button TV Remote

Have you ever been in the middle of an exciting TV show or movie, and needed to turn up the volume, only to change channels instead? Of course if anyone else is in the room watching with you everyone starts to freak out, while you try to explain that it was an accident.

With large buttons and large numbers this style TV remote is easy to see and use.

Pay attention to the different descriptions as some of these remotes work only with TV and not with satellite or not with a cable box.

The most popular remote with the highest ratings at Amazon is the Flipper Remote. It has different color buttons making it easier to distinguish the volume controls from the channel controls.

Hy-Tek Large Button TV Remote

It's important to note that the effectiveness of TV glasses can vary from person to person, and what works best will depend on the individual's specific needs and preferences. Additionally, it's recommended to consult with a low vision specialist who can provide guidance on the most suitable options based on the severity and type of your macular degeneration.

Go from Television Glasses to Visual Aids for Macular Degeneration

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