Select a product
Use the information gathered during assessment to decide if a magnifier or telescope may assist the person, and if yes, select a product to trial with them.
The selection table on the back of the assessment form will help guide your choice of product.
Activity
- Look at the selection table on the assessment form.
- Look at the magnifiers and telescopes you have available, and how they fit into the categories on the selection table.
Select an activity
Use the information gathered during assessment to decide on the activity:
- For near tasks this may include reading a newspaper/book or sewing.
- For distance tasks this may include watching television or looking for the number on a bus.
Based on the activity, choose a suitable object for trial magnification.
Trial magnification
Once you have selected a magnifier or telescope with the person, you need to find the right level of magnification:
- Practice the activity the person wants to do with the lowest level of magnification available.
- If the activity is still difficult, check that the light is adequate. Add a light source if needed.
- If the activity is still difficult, trial the next level of magnification, until the correct level is found.
Note that it is important to find the level of magnification that makes the activity comfortable for the person. If you provide a magnifier that is too weak, the person may get tired very quickly.
Remember Joanna?
Through Joanna’s assessment she selected a stand magnifier. Joanna and her service provider then trialled different levels of magnification. She could read newsprint with a magnification power of 3x, however it was difficult. She tried a magnification power of 4x and found that she could read much more comfortably. She selected a stand magnifier with magnification power of 4x.
Instruction
Some people will need magnifiers or telescopes that are stronger than those included in TAP. If the person needs a stronger product, refer them to an eye health professional.