Compact+ selected by the Welsh Low Vision Scheme

English version
Welsh version

Optelec are delighted to announce that the award-winning Compact+ pocket video magnifier has been selected for provision by the Welsh Low Vision Scheme.

The scheme aims to support low vision people living in Wales, through the provision of an assessment by an accredited eyecare professional and the loan of suitable visual aids, which can now include the Compact+ pocket video magnifier.

Chantel Rhodes, All Wales Optometry Service Manager, commented “We are excited to be able to provide people with low vision in Wales with the opportunity to loan a pocket video magnifier through the Welsh Low Vision Service.  Accredited practitioners from around Wales are currently undergoing additional training to be able to prescribe the Compact+ through this Welsh Assembly Government funded scheme.”

Sarah Forde, Managing Director for Optelec Limited, adds “We, at Optelec, are truly delighted to have been selected to supply the Compact+ to the Welsh Low Vision Scheme and to be part of the first UK initiative to offer the possibility of country-wide prescription of a video magnifier.”  

Compact+ - award-winning low vision solution
The award-winning Compact+, is a pocket-size video magnifier designed for the benefit of low vision people.  Simply place it on a newspaper or magazine and the magnified image is displayed on the integrated screen.  A full colour, 4.3-inch widescreen offers up to 10 times variable magnification, with multiple high-contrast viewing options for easier reading.

Optelec were presented with an Independent Living Design Award in 2007, recognising innovation in design of the Compact+.

Welsh Eyecare Initiative
The Welsh Eyecare Initiative was set-up by the Welsh Assembly to prioritise funds and services for eyecare patients living in Wales, including those with low vision.

Low vision patients have the opportunity to be assessed by an accredited high street optometrist or dispensing optician.  The assessment will determine if any low vision aids are available to assist the low vision patient to live more independently.  The appointment with the low vision practitioner is provided free of charge by the NHS and all the low vision aids are available on loan and free of charge. The practitioners will also use their specialist knowledge to refer the patient on to other services.

Practitioners who are accredited to provide the Welsh Low Vision Service are optometrists and dispensing opticians who have undertaken additional training provided by The School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University.
 
To have a low vision assessment in Wales, a person can refer themselves to an accredited practitioner or be referred by any of the following:

• a GP or family doctor
• an optometrist
• social services
• community services
• an ophthalmologist in the hospital eye service

Optelec
Optelec is the leading designer and manufacturer of assistive technologies for visually impaired and dyslexic people.

In 1975 Mr FJ Tieman, a Dutch optician, developed the first video magnifier for a customer who could no longer read using their spectacles.  After this initial success, the first series of Tieman video magnifiers were launched and demand grew both in the Netherlands and internationally, resulting in the company we know today as Optelec.

The company continues to be a global leader in the provision of products for the use of people with a visual impairment and has a multi-tier distribution in more than 60 countries, including dedicated subsidiary sales offices in Belgium, Canada, Germany, The Netherlands, United Kingdom and the Unites States of America.  

The company's best-selling ClearView+ desktop video magnifier brings the pleasure of reading and independence to many people with low vision, incorporating product intelligence in a sleek modular design.  Award-winning products like the Compact+ and the innovative FarView reinforce Optelec's strong commitment to deliver video magnifier technology in portable formats.  

“Improving the quality of life of visually impaired and dyslexic people – reaching out with simple and effective solutions”


For further information, contact:

Chantel Rhodes
All Wales Optometry Scheme Manager
Welsh Low Vision Scheme
01554 744 491

Mark Hill   
Marketing Manager
Optelec Limited
01923 23 13 13





Mae’n bleser gan Optelec gyhoeddi y cafodd eu chwyddhadur fideo poced Compact+ gwobrwyedig ei ddewis i’w ddosbarthu gan Gynllun Golwg Gwan Cymru.

Nod y cynllun yw cefnogi pobl gyda golwg gwan sy’n byw yng Nghymru, drwy ddarparu asesiad gan arbenigydd gofal llygaid achrededig a rhoi benthyg cymhorthion gweledol pwrpasol, fydd bellach yn cynnwys y chwyddhadur fideo poced Compact+.

Dywedodd Chantel Rhodes, Rheolydd Gwasanaeth Optometreg Cymru Gyfan: “Rydyn ni’n bles dros ben ein bod yn gallu rhoi benthyg chwyddhadur fideo poced i bobl â golwg gwan yng Nghymru drwy Wasanaeth Golwg Gwan Cymru. Mae ymarferwyr achrededig o bob cwr o Gymru ar hyn o bryd yn derbyn hyfforddiant ychwanegol er mwyn medru rhagnodi’r Compact+ drwy’r cynllun yma a noddir gan Lywodraeth y Cynulliad.”

Ychwanegodd Sarah Forde, Cyfarwyddydd Rheoli ar gyfer Optelec Cyfyngedig: “Rydyn ni, yn Optelec, wrth ein bodd ein bod wedi cael ein dewis i gyflenwi’r Compact+ i Gynllun Golwg Gwan Cymru a bod yn rhan o fenter gyntaf y DU i gynnig chwyddhadur fideo ar bresgripsiwn ledled y wlad.”


Compact+ - datrysiad golwg gwan gwobrwyedig
Chwyddhadur fideo maint poced yw’r Compact+ gwobrwyedig a ddyluniwyd er lles pobl â golwg gwan. Gosodwch e ar bapur newydd neu gylchgrawn ac fe ddangosir delwedd chwyddedig ar y sgrin integredig. Mae sgrin lydan 4.3-modfedd mewn lliw yn cynnig chwyddhad amrywiol hyd at 10 gwaith, gydag opsiynau cyferbyniad uchel i wneud darllen yn haws.

Cyflwynwyd Gwobr Dyluniad Byw’n Annibynnol i Optelec yn 2007 i gydnabod dyluniad arloesol y Compact+.


Menter Gofal Llygaid Cymru
Sefydlwyd Menter Gofal Llygaid Cymru gan y Cynulliad i flaenoriaethu cyllid a gwasanaethau ar gyfer cleifion gofal llygaid yng Nghymru, gan gynnwys rhai â golwg gwan.

Dyma gyfle i bobl â golwg gwan gael eu hasesu gan optometrydd neu optegydd cyflenwi ar y stryd fawr. Bydd yr asesiad yn penderfynu a oes yna gymhorthion golwg gwan ar gael i helpu’r claf â golwg gwan fyw’n fwy annibynnol. Darperir yr apwyntiad â’r ymarferydd golwg gwan yn ddi-dâl gan y GIG ac mae’r cymhorthion golwg gwan i gyd ar gael i’w benthyg yn rhad ac am ddim. Bydd yr ymarferwyr hefyd yn defnyddio eu gwybodaeth arbenigol i gyfeirio’r claf at wasanaethau eraill.
Mae’r ymarferwyr sydd wedi eu hachredu i ddarparu Gwasanaeth Golwg Gwan yn optometryddion ac yn optegwyr cyflenwi sydd wedi derbyn hyfforddiant ychwanegol a ddarparwyd gan Ysgol Optometreg a Gwyddorau’r Golwg ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd.

I gael asesiad golwg gwan yng Nghymru, gall person gyfeirio’i hun at ymarferydd achrededig neu gael ei gyfeirio gan un o’r canlynol:
•    Ymarferydd Cyffredinol neu feddyg teulu
•    optometrydd
•    gwasanaethau cymdeithasol
•    gwasanaethau cymunedol
•    ophthalmolegydd yng ngwasanaeth llygaid yr ysbyty


Optelec
Optelec yw dylunydd a gwneuthurwr mwyaf blaenllaw technolegau cymhorthol ar gyfer pobl ag amhariad gweledol a dyslecsia.

Yn 1975, datblygodd Mr FJ Tieman, optegydd o’r Iseldiroedd y chwyddhadur fideo cyntaf ar gyfer cwsmer na allai ddarllen mwyach gyda chymorth sbectol. Yn sgîl y llwyddiant cyntaf hwn, lansiwyd y gyfres gyntaf o chwyddaduron fideo Tieman ac fe gynyddodd y galw amdanynt yn yr Iseldiroedd a ledled y byd. O hynny tyfodd y cwmni presennol sef Optelec.
Mae’r cwmni’n parhau i fod yn arweinydd byd eang o ran darparu cynhyrchion at ddefnydd pobl gydag amhariad gweledol ac mae iddo ddosbarthiad aml-haen mewn dros 60 o wledydd, gan gynnwys is-swyddfeydd gwerthiant pwrpasol yng Ngwlad Belg, Canada, yr Almaen, yr Iseldiroedd, y Deyrnas Unedig ac Unol Daleithiau America.

Daw chwyddhadur fideo wyneb desg llwyddiannus y cwmni sef ClearView+ â phleser darllen ac annibyniaeth i lawer o bobl gyda golwg gwan gan ymgorffori dealltwriaeth cynnyrch o fewn dyluniad modiwlaidd cain.  Mae cynhyrchion gwobrwyedig fel y Compact+ a’r FarView arloesol yn atgyfnerthu ymrwymiad cryf Optelec i ddarparu technoleg chwyddhadur fideo ar ffurfiau symudol.

“Gwella ansawdd bywyd pobl ag amhariad gweledol a dyslecsia – gan estyn allan gyda datrysiadau syml ac effeithiol”

Am ragor o wybodaeth, cysyllter â:


Chantel Rhodes
Rheolydd Cynllun Optometreg Cymru Gyfan
Cynllun Golwg Gwan Cymru
01554 744 491

Mark Hill   
Rheolwr Marchnata   
Optelec Cyfyngedig   
01923 23 13 13