MADELIA LIONS LOW VISION CENTER

Closed-circuit television systems, or CCTVs, are electronic magnification aids. CCTVs are commonly used for reading newspapers and books, writing checks, filling out forms and other paperwork, and handiwork. CCTVs usually have a wide range of magnification powers available. They are available in a variety of prices and have many different features. The Madelia Lions Club selected the Merlin EVS system for placement in the Madelia Library. This system is a full-color, auto-focus, desktop video magnifier. It enables the user to view images in color, black and white, high contrast positive (edges sharpened black on white) or high contrast negative (edges sharpened white on black). It magnifies between 4x and 60x.

Optical aids include eyeglasses and magnifiers. These are the most common types of vision aids used. There are many more magnifiers than those available in drugstores and office supply centers. Low vision magnifiers are often much more powerful, and may include bright light, or be stabilized for someone with shaky hands. The Madelia Lions Low Vision Center has many different optical low vision aids available to try, to ensure that you will be successful with the vision aids prescribed to you.

Non-optical vision aids are things that are actually enlarged. Large print books, large print playing cards, and remote controls with large buttons are examples.

Adaptive aids are things that help you to do what you want to do with the vision that you have. Examples are needle threaders and bump dots that help you identify positions on a stove, microwave, or washing machine without seeing them. Many non-optical and adaptive aids are available. The Madelia Lions Low Vision Center has examples of many different types of aids so that you will be successful in managing your low vision. As well, a number of these adaptive aids were donated to the Occupational Therapy Department of Madelia Health.