How are Low Vision Watches Different from Traditional Watches?
Low vision watches are easier to see and eliminate the difficulty that low vision people experience when telling time with traditional watches. They are designed with larger faces. In addition to being larger, low vision watches feature high contrast hands, numbers and faces. High contrast dials are designed with stark white backgrounds and bold black hands - or you may prefer inky backgrounds and brilliant white hands. The numbers on low vision watches correspond with the color choice of the watch hands.
Low vision watches, like traditional watches, can be utilitarian or stylish and chic. We offer a variety of fashionable, reasonably priced low vision watches for both men and women. All of our low vision watches are equipped with bold, large print numbers that are easy to read. Many feature, just like traditional watches, leather strap bands, bracelet or expandable bands. Many of our expandable low vision watch bands are designed for people who suffer from limited dexterity.
Who Needs a Low Vision Watch?
Children and young adults can be visually impaired and suffer from low vision, but it more commonly affects adults and senior citizens. Low vision watches eliminate visual barriers and restore a degree of independence to seniors who are experiencing visual loss due to normal aging or eye ailments.
Quite often the following conditions cause or contribute to low vision. Low vision watches allow users with these conditions to continue to perform the simple task of telling time.
● Eye disease
● Stroke
● Conjunctivitis
● Dry eye syndrome
● Cloudy, fuzzy vision from cataracts
● Partially obscured vision due to macular degeneration
● Blind spots and visual distortions due to diabetic retinopathy
● Shrinking peripheral vision due to glaucoma
● Reduced peripheral vision and loss of low-light vision due to retinitis pigmentosa
● Aging contributes to vision changes that may not be correctable with glasses, contacts or surgery
While these conditions are normally experienced by adults and senior citizens, low vision watches are perfect for anyone who is experiencing visual loss. Low vision watches help people who suffer from these conditions to maintain their dignity and independence - and know the time of day.
Independent Living with Low Vision Watches
There are many benefits to choosing a low vision watch; people who suffer from low vision often rank independence as the number one benefit of their new watch.
The watches are easy to see and easy to read. The large face and high-contrast hands and numbers are simple to decipher. Many users like the fact that the these watches are low-profile and do not immediately identify them as having a visual disability. They are water resistant and possess quartz movement, just like traditional watches.
Low vision watches are both digital and analog. Some models feature talking and voice functions that announce each hour and calendar reminders. These functions can be set to prompt users and as reminders for taking medicine, appointments and social commitments – much like a verbal calendar of events that also tells time.
Like popular sports watches, many athletic-style low vision watches are equipped with a stopwatch, lap counting and large, digital LCD display dials.
For many seniors, the continuity of having an analog watch or a digital watch like the traditional watch that they have worn their entire life, provides a degree of familiarity and comfort. Low vision watch faces contain Arabic or Roman numerals, minute and second markers, built-in illumination and Indiglo night-light illumination.
Low vision watches are the perfect choice for seniors and people who suffer from a visual inability to tell time on traditional watches. They provide a degree of independence and comfort for people who are unable to perform the everyday task of reading a watch and telling time.
Hulet Smith, OTR/L
Rehabmart Co-Founder & CEO
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