Vision aids for diabetes care

Some low-vision aids that may be helpful for you include:

• Magnifying lenses (which make images larger). These include eyeglasses with special lenses, a handheld magnifying glass, a magnifying lens mounted on a stand for reading, or a device that you can clip onto your glasses (like the device a jeweler uses). Special magnifying aids are available that enlarge the unit markings on insulin syringes.
• Needle guides and other devices that help you locate and stick the needle through the rubber stopper on your insulin bottle and help you prepare mixed- or single-dose insulin injections. There are also bottle-holding devices that help you hold the bottle and syringe to safely withdraw insulin. Insulin pens that indicate the units by clicking or have large-print markings can be used to give insulin that comes in a cartridge.
• "Talking" or large-print home blood sugar meters. A large-print meter can help you see your blood sugar result clearly. There are also some "talking" meters.
• "Talking" or large-print food scales. If you need to weigh your food, there are large-print or talking food scales. You can also estimate portion sizes by other means; for example, 1 cup is about the amount you can place in your cupped hand.
• Computerized blood sugar records. Most home blood sugar meter companies have computer software that allows your blood sugar results to be entered directly into a computer so that you do not have to keep handwritten records. You can also print these in large print so that you can read the records.
• Tape recorder for record keeping. You can record your daily blood sugar results and other information directly into a tape recorder.