Bar Magnifiers, Magnifying Rulers, Reading Bars

What are Bar Magnifiers?

Also called flat field magnifiers, bar magnifiers allow sight-impaired and low vision users the ability to read any kinds of printed materials. By providing magnifying power up to 3.5 the size of the original text, bar magnifiers assist individuals with reading or seeing various types of printed pages.

Available in a variety of lengths and magnification powers, bar magnifiers are typically shaped as flat devices that are placed directly over the text on a page. They are often constructed from acrylic plastics for the best durability and viewing clearness. Some may include handles, while others are formulated to be ergonomically correct for the simplest and most comfortable operation. While they are often referred to as ruler magnifiers because of their flat, elongated shape (and included measured increments), alternative designs may be rounded, smaller or otherwise configured to better fulfill other user requirements and personal preferences.

How do Bar Magnifiers Work?

Bar magnifiers work by placing them flat on the page that is desired for viewing. Depending on the model used, they will magnify the viewed text anywhere from 1 to 3.5 times of its original size. Because they only magnify one to three lines of text at a time, users simply slide the magnifier down the page to continue reading. One of the main advantages to utilizing a bar magnifier is that it makes it easier for users to track along a line of text without losing their place.

While some bar magnifiers may use the ambient light of the room that the user is reading in to enhance the magnified reading experience, most bar magnifiers do not require any added lighted features to operate efficiently.

What are the Benefits of Bar Magnifiers?

Bar magnifiers are one of the simplest magnifying aids to use for reading purposes. In addition to books, magazines and newspapers, bar magnifiers help low vision users to more easily peruse menus, important contracts and documents, stock quotes, architectural plans, maps, telephone directories, charts and any other flat reading materials.

While other kinds of magnifying devices require constant adjustment to ensure proper magnification levels for individual user needs, bar magnifiers come pre-set with a permanent magnification power. Therefore, no focusing is needed, which makes the reading experience much simpler and streamlined. They help immensely with reducing eye strain for both low vision and regular-sighted users, especially for smaller sized print.

Bar magnifiers are specifically designed to glide easily over any flat page or surface. Because of their 1-3 line limited viewing space, they also help users to stay on track with what they are reading, keeping un-magnified text out of the user’s view until they are ready to read it. Some bar magnifiers also include highlighted red or yellow lines to further enhance the user’s ability to stay in place.

Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Co-Founder & CEO

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