Aids for coping with vision loss (referred to as low-vision aids) can be an enormous help to people with only partial vision. Low-vision aids for reading, writing, watching television, and engaging in outdoor activities include the following:

• Large-print books

• Large-numbered telephones, clocks, watches, and thermometers

• Closed-circuit television to magnify objects

• Electronic "talking" clocks and other "talking" devices

• Computer programs that can scan text and then produce larger text or read the text out loud

• Light filters to improve contrast

• Color-coded pill boxes

• Handheld magnifying glasses

• Glare-reducing sunglasses

• Handheld binoculars

Eye doctors working with other health care practitioners can usually evaluate how vision loss affects a person. They can then recommend a combination of low-vision aids that they believe would best help the person do daily tasks.