Low vision makes it harder to read tiny print on menus, mail, or clothing labels and tags. Use a magnifying device to enlarge the print, so it’s easier to read. These devices come in different weights and sizes, and some have stands or lights attached.

Video devices that are mounted, worn over your eyes, or held by hand can magnify images at different distances. For easier viewing, these electronic devices can:

• Make images brighter
• Sharpen contrast
• Clarify the background and foreground.

Low vision can make you feel less independent, especially in a world where you need to use smartphones or computers for so many tasks. Text-to-speech devices read copy on screens out loud, so you don’t have to use your eyes. You can also use voice commands with some devices if you find it hard to type.

If you can’t read your smartwatch or clock, you may feel less independent. Clocks with high-contrast screens can help. So can watches and clocks with bolder, bigger numbers and letters. Talking watches can give you step-by-step walking directions when you’re out.

Low vision means you may need three times as much light to read or see household objects. You can position a flexible-arm lamps to beam extra light right where you need it. Twist the neck so light shines on the text you want to see, not into your eyes.

Not all light bulbs are the same. Halogen, incandescent, or LED bulbs all emit different types and brightness levels of light. Find the style that works for your vision needs. Ultraviolet (UV) and blue light-emitting bulbs could worsen vision if you have macular degeneration. Bulbs with less than 5,000 Kelvin ratings don’t emit blue or UV light.

You’ll find large-print books, puzzles, or magazines at your local library or bookstores. E-reader devices or apps also let you make print bigger, widen space between lines, or change fonts. Sans-serif fonts have block letters without extra strokes at the ends of lines so they’re typically easier to read.

You can walk easier with an electronic mobility aid. These devices send out ultrasound waves that bounce off obstacles almost 10 feet away, then alert you with a sound. To be even safer, use a smart cane with a built-in ultrasonic sensor. It will let you know if there are any objects at ground level or higher.

Bioptic telescopes are mounted on eyeglass lenses just above your pupils. Tilt your head up and down to bring objects into the magnified or regular view. They may look a little funny, but they work. Some states even allow you to use these high-powered eyeglasses while you drive, if you’re trained and can properly pass a driving test using the device.

Do you love to sew, but can’t see well enough to thread the needle? Use a needle threader device called a hexe or witch. These devices hold the needle upright and steady, then push thread through the eye. You can also buy pre-threaded needles at your local sewing supply store.

Phone apps can help you manage your tasks. New mobile apps can do things like scan currency and tell you the denomination or snap photos of objects to tell you what they are. They can even let you play video games that use sounds more than visual images.

Don’t let your low vision keep you from your important health checks. There are blood glucose monitors, blood pressure cuff devices, and weight scales that speak your results aloud, so you don’t have to read little screens.

Your smartphone's camera can do more than magnify images, change fonts, and contrast colors for reading. The camera and speech engine function can be set to allow you to hear the content of a book or website. You can also download camera apps that describe your surroundings and point out things like exits and bathroom signs. Smart glasses with internet-connected cameras put all these functions in front of your eyes for hands-free assistance.