title: Optical and nonoptical aids for reading and writing in individuals with acquired low vision.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the use of optical and nonoptical aids during reading and writing activities in individuals with acquired low vision.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was performed using descriptive and cross-sectional surveys. The data collection instrument was created with structured questions that were developed from an exploratory study and a previous test based on interviews, and it evaluated the following variables: personal characteristics, use of optical and nonoptical aids, and activities that required the use of optical and nonoptical aids.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study population included 30 subjects with acquired low vision and visual acuities of 20/200-20/400. Most subjects reported the use of some optical aids (60.0%). Of these 60.0%, the majority (83.3%) cited spectacles as the most widely used optical aid. The majority (63.3%) of subjects also reported the use of nonoptical aids, the most frequent ones being letter magnification (68.4%), followed by bringing the objects closer to the eyes (57.8%). Subjects often used more than one nonoptical aid.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of participants reported the use of optical and nonoptical aids during reading activities, highlighting the use of spectacles, magnifying glasses, and letter magnification; however, even after the use of these aids, we found that the subjects often needed to read the text more than once to understand it. During writing activities, all subjects reported the use of optical aids, while most stated that they did not use nonoptical aids for such activities.
authors: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors: Mayla Myrina Bianchim
authors: MM
authors: Monteiro
authors: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors: Rita de Cássia Ietto
authors: Rde C
authors: Montilha
authors: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors: Keila Miriam Monteiro de
authors: KM
authors: Carvalho
authors: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors: Maria Elisabete Rodrigues Freire
authors: ME
authors: Gasparetto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005139:Eyeglasses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011932:Reading; D015354:Vision, Low / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014956:Writing; D055815:Young Adult