1.  Be seated comfortably before you start reading.

2.  Put reading material on a clipboard or reading stand so that you are facing the material while seated upright in a chair. This will prevent you from bending over and creating a shadow on the reading material.

3.  Adjust your lighting to property illuminate your reading material if a light is not built into your magnifier.

4.  To determine how far away to hold the magnifier from the reading material, place your magnifier on the reading material. Slowly bring it away from the material until the words on the page come into focus.

5.  Readjust your lighting to ensure that no shadows are on the material and no reflections are on the magnifier’s surface.

6.  Hold the reading material parallel to the magnifier.

7. Remember to view through the center of the magnifier. Hold you reading material in an upright position so that you are not bending over to read.

8. Use plenty of short practice sessions: 5 minutes or less, three or four times a day in the beginning. Increase your reading time when you experience less eyestrain and when you can read more comfortably. Although your eyes may feel tired after reading, you cannot harm your eyes by reading. By reading daily, you will find that you will become less tired and will be able to increase your reading duration.

9. Remember that some items will be easier to read than others. Ease of reading depends on print size, color, spacing, style, contrast, and paper quality.

10.  Clean your magnifier regularly with a clean, damp, lint-free cloth. Keep it in a case when not in use.

11.  The stronger the magnifier, the smaller the lens becomes.

12.  Reading with the magnifier close to your eye will increase the number of words that can be seen at one time and may increase your reading speed.

The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the LowVision.com Site.