Optelec Spearheads Low Vision Trend towards High Contrast with Low Magnification

New Optelec ClearView⁺ HD Colour offers visually impaired 1X magnification

Barendrecht, Netherlands (February 9, 2010) - Optelec, world leader in innovative and life-changing assistive technologies for the visually impaired and blind, announces the new 1X magnification functionality in the flagship Optelec ClearView⁺ High Definition (HD) Colour desktop video magnifier.

With the steady increase of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), retinal specialists have made significant advances of new medical procedures for retinal vascular treatments.

AMD patients can regain a portion of their eye sight, but also experience a residual low vision condition of blurred central vision needed for seeing objects clearly. Vision is improved, but the treatment is not a cure. The desire to live an active and engaging lifestyle still motivates these individuals. Consequently, the market trend of optical aids demands high contrast and low magnification solutions in electronic video magnifiers.

“More medical advances are helping people with vision loss as a result of exudative macular degeneration with anti-VEGF (Avastin and Lucentis) treatments resulting in increased opportunities for low vision rehabilitation intervention,” states Dr. R. Tracy Williams, executive director, Spectrios Institute for Low Vision at the Deicke House, U.S.A. “A timely and current focus on greater contrast with lower magnification will offer patients with partial vision loss even better ways to address daily living activities, including reading and spotting nearby tasks."

A revolutionary desktop video magnifier, ClearView⁺ HD Colour, dramatically improves how visually impaired users read and write. The new HD camera provides the lowest magnification level on the market at 1X allowing users to view complete documents faster and more comfortably.  Characters and images are clear and crisp – despite poor central vision. The ClearView⁺ HD Colour aids with contrast sensitivity challenges, providing multiple viewing modes with text and backgrounds such as yellow on blue, yellow on black, or green on black.

“At Optelec, we closely monitor these industry trends and work with our research and development departments to evolve our technology in a way that addresses the needs of our customers,” said Michiel van Schaik, CEO of Optelec. “We want to ensure that Optelec delivers solutions that will empower our users and make an impact on their quality of life, regardless of age or eye condition.”

Optelec previously responded to this trend through the development of the portable video magnifier called the FarView, proving particularly beneficial to those with RP who experience severe tunnel-like field of vision. The built-in high-resolution camera allows users to capture images of a document, and reproduce it in high contrast at a lower magnification level to read within their preferred scope of focus.

Today, 314 million people worldwide report some form of visual impairment. That number is expected to double by 2030 as the aging population brings rising rates of eye diseases including AMD, glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy.

Request further information and / or a home or on-site demonstration


About Optelec
Optelec is a worldwide market leader in manufacturing and distributing innovative and life-changing assistive technologies for the visually impaired and blind.  With its global corporate headquarters based in Barendrecht, the Netherlands, Optelec has regional headquarters established in the Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, and United States.  In addition, Optelec supports a strong distribution network throughout North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East with a multi-tier distribution chain in more than 60 countries to ensure efficient worldwide delivery of its low vision solutions.


Media Contact
BERKMAN
Courtney Berg
+1-619-231-9977
courtney@berkmanpr.com