Central vision and everyday tasks
Assistive technology for macular degeneration
Macular degeneration affects the macula, the small central part of the retina that handles fine detail. It covers more than one condition: age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in its dry and wet forms, macular degeneration that is not age-related, and inherited macular dystrophies such as Stargardt disease. Each person’s experience is different.
Macular degeneration is a group of conditions
“Macular degeneration” is often used to mean age-related macular degeneration, but it is a broader group. Inherited and non-age-related macular conditions affect the same central part of the retina and raise many of the same practical questions about reading, faces and detail.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
The most common form, usually affecting people later in life. It is divided into dry AMD and wet AMD.
Dry AMD
The more common type. It usually changes slowly, and in its advanced stage it can affect central detail.
Wet AMD
Less common, and it can change vision more quickly. It is treated by eye doctors and needs prompt medical attention.
Non-age-related macular degeneration
Macular conditions also affect younger people. Age is not what defines the group.
Inherited macular dystrophy
A group of inherited conditions affecting the macula, sometimes called juvenile macular degeneration when it begins early in life.
Stargardt disease
Also called Stargardt macular dystrophy, it is the most common inherited macular dystrophy. It often begins in childhood or young adulthood and causes central vision loss.
What people often find difficult
Because the macula handles central detail, difficulty is usually noticed in the middle of the view while side vision stays more usable. The pattern differs from person to person, and two people with the same diagnosis can describe very different experiences.
Central detail
The macula handles fine central detail, so the middle of the view is often where difficulty is noticed first.
Difficulty recognizing people
Recognizing people and reading expressions can become harder while side vision stays more usable.
Difficulty reading
Print, labels, menus and forms can become difficult, and letters may appear missing, faded or distorted.
Reduced contrast
Similar tones can blend together, which affects steps, edges, text on a busy background and food on a plate.
Low light
Dim or uneven lighting can make the same task noticeably harder than it is in good light.
Blurry, cloudy or indistinct vision
Some people describe a blurred, cloudy or empty patch rather than a sharp loss of vision.
Categories of low-vision technology
Different technologies help in different ways. An eye-care or low-vision professional can help someone explore the full range, and more than one kind of support is often used together.
Vision rehabilitation
Training and practical strategies from low-vision professionals, including how to use the vision a person still has.
Optical aids
Lenses, hand and stand magnifiers, and filters that enlarge or change how the view is presented.
Electronic magnification
Desktop and handheld electronic magnifiers that enlarge an image and can change color and contrast.
Audio assistance
Screen readers and text-to-speech technology that read text aloud rather than presenting it visually.
Lighting and contrast changes
Task lighting, large-print materials and high-contrast marking around the home.
Live-image processing glasses
Smart-glasses systems that process a live view and present it through displays near the eyes.
Everyday tasks people want help seeing
It helps to start from the task rather than the device. These are the activities people most often raise when central detail becomes difficult.
- Seeing faces and expressions
- Reading print and labels
- Using a computer, phone or kiosk
- Watching television
- Seeing detail in different lighting
- Following a recipe or a form
Questions worth asking about any device
- What kind of visual or audio help does it actually provide?
- Which everyday tasks does the person most want to explore?
- How comfortable is it, and does it fit the person?
- Can it be operated hands-free or by voice?
- Does it need an internet connection?
- Does it work with a prescription?
- What training and ongoing support come with it?
- What is the total cost?
- Can it be tried hands-on before deciding?
Where fits
is a patent-pending vision-assistive smart-glasses system that processes a live view in real time. Six viewing modes give different starting points for daylight, low light, reading, computers and kiosks, edges and television, and Bella voice operation is included at no extra charge for supported functions. It presents a processed live view rather than relying only on audio description, which is why people with usable remaining vision are the ones who can explore it. Results vary.
What is
is vision-assistive technology. It is not a medical device or a treatment. It does not diagnose, treat, cure, correct or reverse macular degeneration, and it does not replace an eye doctor or professional medical care. A diagnosis does not establish whether will be useful for a particular person. People with usable remaining vision can explore their own individual response through a hands-on fit check.
is not a mobility, navigation or safety device. Do not rely on it for driving, for walking in traffic, or for any activity where an altered view could create danger.
The honest way to know is to try
A diagnosis of macular degeneration does not establish whether will be useful for a particular person. During an individual hands-on fit check, someone with usable remaining vision can explore different viewing options and settings using their own eyes and the tasks that matter to them. Results vary from person to person.
Contact us about a fit checkTrusted health-information sources
For general medical information about macular conditions:
This page provides general educational information and does not provide medical advice. is vision-assistive technology, not a medical device or treatment, and does not replace care from an eye-care professional.