Why I hate retinitis pigmentosa

:rant on.
The reason I hate retinitis pigmentosa(RP) is because it screw up my life big time.  For those who are reading this post, you probably already affected by this incurable blinding eye condition.  While you are slowly going blind and may be depressed, some people would try to cheer you up by saying something like there are worst medical conditions than blindness, this is a new challenge to do thing in different way, god give you RP for a reason, or other politically correct positive spin on blindness.  From my personal perspective, almost nothing is worst than blindness, not even life terminating illness like cancer.  With terminal cancer you know you have certain amount of time to live thus you can look forward for the end of suffering.  On the other hand, blindness has no certainty.  You could flatten by a truck next time you cross the street, or you could suffer blindness until age of 100.  The only certainty is that you can't do many things on your own and your quality of life keep worsening.  While some people look at the world through a pair of rose-colored eyeglasses, I live in a real world.  There is just not one thing good about RP.  Just for fun, I put down some positive spins about blindness that I heard over the years.

Some people believe RP just a minor inconvenience, more power to them and I wish you the best.  For me,  I was able to see for more than 40 years, going blind is a crippling handicap because:

• I can't recognize the face of my wife, my children, and my friends. The clear face images of them in my mind were probably 10 years old.  Positive spin: they are forever young in your mind.
• I feel guilty of passing this gene to our children.  Have I known  what I know now, I would not have any kid.  Even though I knew I had RP, I took the gamble in believing my kid would only have 50% chance of having RP.  Looking back, I think it was irresponsible  of me to take any chance to subject our children to this terrible condition.  Guilty as charged,  I hope someone would find a cure in their life time.   Positive spin: God has plan for everyone, even the blind one.
• I can't do the job I like.  I was an electronic engineer before RP terminated my career.  I loved this job, I would have stay in this job until my boss sick of seeing me.  Anyway, I had this fun job for almost 32 years.  Positive spin: enjoy the early retirement.  Many people want to retire early and couldn't, lucky you.
• On the subject of job choice, while this no longer affect me, I have heard some totally unpractical advice to others.  For example, many years ago in one of the RP support group, A young man  asked the group whether he should enroll in the Air Force Academy  because he want to be a fighter pilot. Even though he said he couldn't see well at night, many people said, go for it, follow your heart, don't let RP stop your dream, there would be a cure by the time your graduated.   Well, I hope that young man wake up from the dream long time ago.
• I am no longer a productive member of the society.  I am now a burden of SSA.  Before you say why not find another job, I don't think anyone would hire a blind old man. Even a greeter at Walmart needs a pair of working eyes.  Even I found a job, there would  probably no way for me to get there in my area due to minimal public transportation service.  Positive spin: you paid the tax, why not enjoy the benefit.
• I can't have a driver's license.  Now I have to depend on other to drive me around.  If I want to have dimsum, not a chance unless someone willing to drive you there.  My life events have to scheduled around others.  Positive spin: no more car payment, insurance payment, or up keep.  Enjoy the half bus fare too.
• I loved to watch movie on big screen.  I haven't stepped in a movie theater for years because I couldn't see the whole movie screen.  Watch Star War movie on DVD with descriptive audio is just not the same.  Positive spin: save money on the ticket and pop corn and soda.
• I enjoyed reading books and magazines.  Now a day, I have to listen audio books and magazines instead, the experience is just not the same.  No audio could fully describe the pictures, diagrams, or any other visual elements.  Positive spin: free audio book and magazine download from BARD. 
• I loved cooking.  In my  early better eye years, I often invited my friends over to share my Chinese cooking and BBQ.  Couldn't do that easily anymore.   I tried to cook some lunch recently for myself and made a mess.  I had to trouble my wife to clean it up.
• I feel my life like that of a critically ill patient in an ICU.  Instead of breathing tube, IV lines, etc I have to depend on various low vision aids just to keep up with simple daily tasks.  Without these tools, I would be completely helpless.  FYI.  this is list of low vision aids I been using.
• I hate using restroom in public places, especially the one with dim lighting,  because I find it extremely humiliating to ask someone for the location of an urinal or a toilet.  I try to hold the business if I could. 
• So what can I do? A whole lot of nothing.  I eat, sleep, poop, and ponder the meaning of my life.  I had  nightmare as the result from these pondering.

The reason I write this post is that no one wants to talk about blindness in negative way probably due to the current state of political correctness about every thing.  Mass media only talk about how a blind person climbed  a mountain or flew an airplane or other inspiring stories.  Those stories gave the public the misconception that blind people have extraordinary power.   I guess no one want to know how most blind people struggle with daily live like me. I am just bit tired of hearing all those inspiring stories and I hope this post would provide some balance.  Secondly,  I feel good about this ranting, it is better than seeing a shrink. 

Final rant, awhile back someone  said to me that God gives the toughest  battle to his strongest soldiers  When I question is this how your God rewards his strongest soldiers by disabling them with a blinding disease?  I was told not to question it because God works in a mysterious way.  I think this is a shipload of crap, what an irrational rationalization.
:rant off.

Reference:

• An article about daily life of a blind person

• The bar chart shows blindness is one of the top fear medical condition among American.  Read the full AFB opinion survey here.

Adjusting to Blindness

 I found out I have retinitis pigmentosa (RP) during a routine eye check up in 1980.  My eye doctor saw some dark spots on my retina  and sent me to see a retina specialist.  After looking at my retina and seeing the visual field testing result, the retina specialist confirmed that I indeed have RP and I was told I would probably go blind by middle age.  I  was so traumatized by the news, I  was barely able to drive back home.   I couldn't imagine a life without sight, and I was thinking I would die rather than living as a blind person.  Over the years, I kept asking why me?  I even wanted  go over to the dark side in order to keep my eye sight but I got lost along the way because I refused to use a white cane back then.
       
For years, I lived in the shardow of going blind and self denial.  I spent countless hours on hoping and searching for a cure.  Because I did not accept the fact that my  vision was getting worse, I kept driving for many more years and got into few auto accidents and many close calls.  Luckly no one got hurt.  Although I knew my luck would run out one day but I kept driving.  In 2005 my vision became so poor that I was not able to renew my driver's license.  While I was sadden by this but it was also a big relief for me because I would not able to hurt anyone or myself due to my unsafe driving.   Soon after, I fully accepted my fate and asked for professional help to deal with my vision loss. 

I was the sort of men who refuse to ask direction even I got loss while driving.  I was too proud, too independent, and too stubborn, so asking for help was one of most difficult thing for me to do.  However, I have to ask for help if I don't want my life get even more difficult.  Now a day, asking for help is my new normal.  
  
 In the process of learning to deal with low vision, I found my personal adjusting experience was closely matched with Dr. Dean Tuttle's research on how people adjusting and coping with blindness.  In his book, Self-Esteem and Adjusting With Blindness, he described the following seven phases that many people go through with the  adjusting Process:
 
Phase 1. Trauma
Phase 2. Shock and Denial
Phase 3. Mourning and Withdrawal
Phase 4. Succumbing and Depression
Phase 5. Reassessment and Reaffirmation
Phase 6. Coping and Mobilization
Phase 7. Self-Acceptance and Self-Esteem


For years, I was stuck in the phase 2-3-4 loop.  Although  I have moved on with my life, I am sure I would go back to the loop when my vision get worse down the road.  The best I can hope for is I would die of old age before facing even worse vision problem.   
 
Please go to the following link for a brief description on each phase.
Phases Description
 
Dr. Dean Tutter was a professor of special education with University of Northern Colorado.  His vision loss was due to RP.  Learn more about Dr. Tuttle at the following link.
Interview With Dr. Tuttle
 

 Adjusting to vision  loss is tough and it would have a great impact on your life and your future plans.  People around you might say a lot of nice things and give you a lot of encouragement, but only you can figure out how to live your life.  The following are probably not the most politically correct things to say, but they are hard cold reality.  Many people live by the slogan "Why settle when you can select." If you are blind or visually impaired, often time you have to settle for second or third choice.  Here are few things to consider:

 

• What kind of job you like to do which also determine what you go to study in school.  Be realistic and practical.  Your dream job may be become a pilot or a police officer, but can you do it?  People might say don’t let vision loss prevent you from your dream, but dream and reality are totally different things.

• Your career might be cut short due to your vision loss.  Do you have an alternative job skill that would not totally depend on your eye sight?   You might want to contact your local agency ASAP for training on new skill which could help you to keep your current job or preparing for a new job.  About 80% of blind adults in USA are unemployed, consider youself very lucky if you have any sort of paying job.
• Make sure you have enough work credits to qualify for social security disability insurance (SSDI).  Save, save, save, because you might not able to live just on the SSDI benefit payment.  Buy a private long term disability (LTD) insurance if you can afford it.  If you are lucky, you might have LTD from your employer.   If you drive or operate heavy equipment on your job, get a life insurance to protect your love one.  Better yet, get it different job if you could.
• Sooner or later, you might not able to drive.  Investigate transportation option in your area.   You might want to live in a big city where driving is not necessary.
• Love is not blind.  Make sure your potential mate does not have RP or other serious eye condition.  Make sure your potential mate fully aware your condition and can deal with it long term.  Mating game is a two way street,  people with disability probably encounter many rejection and disappointment before finding a mate.
• If you plan to have kid,  beware the consequence.  There is good chance that your kid would have RP or become a carrier.  Can you deal with your own as well as your kid's vision issue?

If you have to put a positive spin on blindness, it has the following "perks".  Seriously, I would give them up and more in exchange for one good eye. 

• Extra deduction on your income tax form.  As far as I can tell, blindness is the only disability that IRS let you take the extra deduction, so it must be really sucks.
• Relative low medical insurance via Medicare program after being disabled for 24 months.
• Excused from jury duty.
• Discounted fare on many public transportation, and almost always get a seat in them.
• Early boarding on airplane ride.  Some airport even let you use the shorter security check in line.
• Free access to audio books and player, at least in USA.
• Handicapped parking permit.
• Free fishing license in some states.  This is my favor.
• Bring your guide dog with you almost everywhere.

How I adapt

    What is it like to be blind?

The S.O.S. Way

People usually have their own way of dealing with their life issues.  I am calling my low vision copeing method the S.O.S. way.  Hey, I have to come up with a cute acronym and some humor to deal with this low vision thing.  The S.O.S way stands for Simplify, Organize, and Self-contentment.

• Simplify - find way to simplify my daily tasks like using online statement and automatic bill payment.  Simplify color scheme and style with my clothing, socks, and shoes, etc.

• Organize - everything has their place, so I can find them without searching.  I have couple of those organizers that have many small drawers for my small items.  I have a shelf in the refrigerator just for my stuff, so I won't grab a jar of XO sauce when what I really wanted is a jar of  peach jams.  To me, organize also means orderly activities. I find it comforting to have control  over my life like when and what to eat, when to do house work or relax, and when to walk with my dog, etc. 

• Self-contentment - The last S is really about how yourself want to deal with life issues.  For me, it is self-contentment.   For long time, I had always wanted more of everything.  More toys, more money, more friends, and especially more eyesight.   It took me awhile to content with I have and move forward with my life.  It was at this point I became The Wise Old Man.   Depend on your personality,  you might deal with your life issue with self-advocacy to self-isolation or anything in between.  There is no right or wrong choice, just choose whatever work best for you.  Be sure to ask for help if you can't deal with your issue by yourself.  

 
OK.  Enough mambo jumbo, lets move on to how I deal with my low vision issue.
 

I was declared legally blind in 2006.  After years of denial, I finally accepted the fact that my vision have progressly worsen by the year and I realize I would need professional help to deal with daily tasks.  I still had some central vision, so the following tasks are not much of problem at this time.  I would imagine those tasks would become much bigger challenge down the road.  I received the folloing training either from Colorado State's Human Services or Hadley School for The Blind.
 

 Socializing

In an ideal world, especially you have a disability, you are suppose to build up a circle of family members and friends for support.  The idea is to have someone to talk to about your problem and ask for help when needed.  The reality is that everyone are busy with their own life and have thier own problems, and they probably don't have time for yours.  Socializing usually mean getting together at some place, it would be difficult to do  for someone who can't drive.  I find it awkward to invite a friend  to lunch, for example, then have to ask the friend to pick me up and drive me back home.   I don't know about you, I just don't like to owe too many favors.  I would ask for a favor only in a truely emergency situration because I probably won't able to return the favor. 
 

Due to my personality and my lack of interests with most American common pastime,  I find it difficult to find and keep friends.  Thanks to Facebook, I have more virtual friends then physical friends.  Too bad, I can't ask for a ride from my virtual friends.  My best friend for now is my guide dog.  Luckily I have a very supportive family.
   

Waiting

You would become a very patient man real fast when you are blind.   Waiting is the name of the game.  To go anywhere far, you will need to wait for a bus or a ride.  You have to plan your activities around other's schedule.  I hate waiting, but I learn to endure it.  Just remember that your family and friends also have to endure the waiting, as you may need to do many things in a different way or at a slower pace.
 

Driving

I gave up driving in 2005 when I wasn't able to renew my driver's license.  You would think people with severe vision impairment can't drive, but no, many states actually let legally blind people drive with a restricted driver's license.   The technique called Bioptic Driving is what make driving possible for the people with severe central vision impairment.  However, people with visual field impairment, like having RP,  can't use the Bioptic driving technique because their visual field is too restricted to operate a motor vehicle safely.   The requirement for getting a driver's license is different for each state, but generally a person needs acuity of 20/40 or better.  Some states also have visual field requirement.   You would need at least 120 degrees of visual field to drive safely. 
 Bioptic Driving Info
Driver's license requirement by state
 

Walking

Since I can't drive, I have walked a lot more.  In order to walk around safely, I would need orientation and mobility (OM) training.  I contacted Colorado state's human services for this training.  Since I had some central vision back in 2007, I chose the basic OM training.  I was told I can request more advanced training when the time come.   I was trained on white cane usage, how to cross a street safely by listening to traffic flow, how to use landmarks to determine my current location, and other basic travel skills.  Initially I was very self conscious when using the white cane in public places.  It took me few months to overcome this.   What a relieve, while walking with a white cane, I no longer worry about bumping into things or other people.  In fact, I noticed couple of times that people would jump out of my way like  I had a communicable disease.  On the other hand, I had people trip over my cane I guess because they are not watching where they are going or had no idea that a blind person couldn't avoid them.
  
Tips for safe walking.  Walk slowly and don't change direction abruptly.  Always wear a pair of closed toe footwear to avoid injury your toe nail. Wear a baseball cap to protect your face when you run into a partially open door or bump into things.  Always use eyeglasses to avoid low hanging tree branch poking into your eyes.  Watch out for wet floor sign in or near bathroom.
       
As a side note, I had used a yellow cane before using a white cane.  The yellow cane had couple of  Visually Impaired stickers on it.  I was told that yellow cane is being used by other countries to alert that the user of this cane is only visually impaired and not totally blind. I used it because I was too self conscious being preceived as a blind person.  But I found out people don't really care, you are either blind or not blind, nothing in between.  The yellow cane concept was pushed by a small group called  VIP (now disbanded) but the concept had not got a good foothold in the US.  I found small number of people had no idea what the white cane stands for, let alone a yellow cane.
 

Shopping

I don't enjoy shopping.  Now a day, other than food,  I don't need much other stuff.  I go shopping only if I have to get something.  I am perfectly content with what I already have.   I would wear out my clothing, shoes and anything else before buying new one.  I never buying something because they are trendy.  I buy stuff online if possible. 
   

Here is my shopping tips for most none essential stuff:

1. Do I really nead this widget?  Think real hard on this.
2. Is there a cheaper alternative?  Often time there is. Look for sales and coupon.
3. Sleep on it and go back to step 1.  No impulse buying for me.

I usually go thru this loop 3 times before making a buying decision.  usually I end up not buying it or find a cheaper alternative.    Of cause, if the deal is too good to pass, I would jump on it.  

Tips for grocery shopping.  You can usually get a map about the store layout from the customer service desk.  With the map and your shopping list, you can generally find out where the stuff are before you even go into the supermarket.
 

Cooking

To simpify cooking and cleaning, we usually only cook one meal a day.  We cook double portion for dinner, and save the extra portion for next day's lunch.  Breakfast is a simple affair for me, usually just a cup of coffee and a bagel with jams.   Sometime I would cook something simple, like omelette or frozen dumplings, although I might make a mess in the process.
 
 If I have to cook lunch for myself, I like to use meat patties because they are in quarter pound portion, perfect for my single  serving dishs.    Remember, you can use the meat patties in other dishs other than burger.  I often break up a patty and put it in congee or noodle.  If I am not sure the meat is fully cooked, I would nuke it in microwave oven  for a minute just to be safe.  The food preparation class offered by Hadley School for The Blind has some very good info on kitchen and food safety, various measuring techniques and shopping tips. 
 
If you have problem reading the cooking directions on food packaging, the following  website is very helpful.  It provides cooking direction and nutrition facts on many common food items.  Just type in the UPC code for your item in the search box.  You can also search by product name.
Directionsforme
 

Eating

I was taught some tricks on how to locate silverware and cup on the table and foods in the plate.  I have to adapt those tricks to Chinese style dining, which is much simpler than American style.  All I need to do is to find the chopsticks and the rice bowl.  When eating dinner at home, I just eat whatever foods my wife put in my bowl.  Lunch is even easier,  I typically eat from a lunch box which was packed by my wife.  All I need to do is reheat and eat.  Instead of a placemat, I have a cafeteria style food tray to contain any spill I might have.   I also have a high intensity table lamp shine over my food tray.  I like to see what I eat and would avoid any dimly lited restaurant. 


Don't get me start on the so called "Blind Dining"  or "Dining in The Dark" trend.  I find it distasteful and trivializes blindness. Dining In The Dark Info
 

Cleaning

Any food stuff I drop on the floor during my cooking or eating, my dog would lick it clean for me.  Seriously, I haven't done much cleaning and I forgot what I learned in the independent living class.

Tips for carpet cleaning.  Run the vacuum cleaner across the room in one direction then 90 degree across the room to pick up any missing spot.  Use a smaller portable vacuum cleaner to clean the stairs.  Be sure to remove any plug in smoke alarm or other power plug from the wall socket first.  You don't want your vacuum cleaner bump into them.   
 

 Reading

I depend on CCTV and handheld magnifier to read printed material.  I signed up for electronics billing and auto payment so I can read the statements online using ZoomText.  I listen to audio media instead of reading books and magazine.   I read local newspaper online.
 
 

Watching TV and Movie

I mainly watch news and Nova on PBS.  Watch TV for more than few minutes would cause eye strain, so I mainly listen to the TV audio.  I haven't stepped into a movie theater for years.  I could only see a small part of the screen at a time due to severe tunnel vision and I couldn't bear the very loud audio either.   If there is a movie I really want to watch, I would rent the DVD.  I have a small TV/monitor on my desk, I find it much easier to watch TV or DVD on a smaller screen.  Renting a DVD is alot cheaper anyway.  Now a day, many DVDs contain descriptive audio track which make watch movies a lot more enjoyable.  The link below lists DVD movies with descriptive audio track.
Movies with descriptive audio track
      

Traveling

I don't like traveling because I find it very stressful and energy draining .  Going  vacation means dealing with long line at the check in counter and  the hassle at the security check point.  Using the public restroom at an airport is troublesome.   Since I can't see much, sightseeing is a waste of money for me.   However,  I like go on cruise because it is easy and stress free once you are on board.  I don't have to worry where to sleep and eat.   My guide dog enjoyed cruising even more.  Instead going out of town for vacation, I am just happy and content with taking a walk with my guide dog at our local parks.

Travel tips: Let the gate agent that you are blind, you and your travel companion can usually be among the first to board the plane.  The plane staff can usually swap my seat with other passenger so I can get the bulkhead seat so I have more room for my guide dog.  At Denver airport, I have been allowed to use the shorter security check in line.  If you travel alone, ask for sighted assistance when you book your ticket. 
  

Job

With my vision issues, I was not able to do any hardware design work.  My management was kind enough to assign me a new job.  Even with the new job, I will need help with some new equipment.  Colorado state human service sent someone to my office to see what I would need to do my job and generated a equipment list.  My employer was very supportive and purchased all the equipment I needed.  The equipment were table top CCTV and large screen monitor, Zoomtext screen magnificer/reader, and telescopic eyeglasses. 
 
My new job involved a lot of reading and online research.  Even with all those low visions aids,  the daily work related headache and eyestrain has became unbearable.  After almost 3 years on this new job, I decided to stop working.     
 

Transportation

I was very lucky to have bus service between my resident and my work place.  I only need to walk few short blocks from our house to the bus stop and the bus stop in front of the company.  I paid half fare with a special discount card.  There is special transit service in our area, but I haven't used it yet.
 

 Let them alone

As a side note.  I have heard that some blind people would be offended by uninvited help.  For them using a white cane or a guide dog is like you wearing a pair of eyeglasses, it is not a sign of disability.   So if you offer your help to this group of very independent and capable blind people, they might not appreciate your kindness.  So don't do anything unless you are asked.  
 

 
 

My Low Vision Aids

NOTE: I don't know what happen, but most photos in this post have disappeared.  I will fix this problem later.
 
With some right tools, a person with low vision can handle most of the daily tasks independently.  Here is the list of tools I am using to make my life bit easier.  Low vision aids can be pricey, whenever possible, I would find a lower cost  alternative.  

Telephone

Big Button Telephone

 

 

My main phone is this RadioShack Model 43-208 speaker phone.  It has a large high contrast keypad with voice feedback.  It also has talking caller ID and talking phone book.  See my 10/18/2013 post for complete detail.  My cell phone is a LG L22C smartphone with Big Launcher app.  See this post about this smartphone.

LG L22C with Big Launcher

 

Desktop CCTV

This is an electronics magnifier.  It connects to a 20-inch LCD monitor/TV and enables me to read printed materials like magazines, bills, and bank statements.  I was lucky to find an used Telesensory Genie Pro CCTV because a new one would cost about $2,500.  The used one I bought from an university surplus equipment store only cost me $80 plus shipping. You can find used CCTV on eBay and your local low vision store.   Read a more detailed description on this CCTV here.

 

ZoomText version 10

  This screen magnifier/reader software enables me to see or hear what's being display on the monitor.  The magnifier is very easy to use and has many useful features.  The screen reader is OK, it has problem to read some websites and documents.  JAWS is suppose to be a much better screen reader.

One really cool feature with ZT 10 is the ability of using a HD webcam as CCTV.   I was hoping this would be a lower cost alternative for desktop CCTV, but this feature has some problems, so don't throw away your desktop CCTV yet.   AFB's product review also disappointed with the CCTV's preformance.  AFB review on ZT 10

There is an updated version called ZoomText Fusion.  It has a full feature screen reader build in.  See my ZT Fusion review.

If you don't want to spend the big bucks for a screen magnifier reader, there are few free options available.

• Firefox web browser plus NoSquint AddOn - this add on let you change the text zoom level and color.
• NVDA is a free open source screen reader.  You can even run this screen reader from a USB flash.  NVDA Info
• Windows 7 OS has build-in magnifier and other helpful options.  See the Ease Of Access in the control panel
• Font for low vision.  APH has a set of special font for people with low vision.  You can use this font with PC or Mac.  Free download
• AccessWorld reviewed few freeware and shareware on screen magnifier software.

Computer

Unless you are in video editing and gaming, there is no need to get a new PC which often has the latest generation of multi-core processor.   A new mininally config PC would probably cost around $500 and up.  While an used older model PC like the one below cost less than $200.  

I only need a PC for email, web surfing, and running the Zoomtext, a quad-core PC is definitely an overkill.  I bought a refurbished IBM desktop PC for $190.  The PC has a 3GHz first generation Intel dual core processor, 4GB of memory and a 120GB hard drive with Windows 7 Pro  OS.  This is a small form factor PC, it is small enough to sit on top of my CCTV unit. 
   
The video output connects to the desktop CCTV.  With this configuration, I can use CCTV's split function to read, for example bank statement, on one part of monitor while enter data into Quicken on other part of monitor. 

When it come to monitor size, bigger is not better for people with RP.  Because of small visual field, you have to keep moving your eyes to locate the stuff you want to see on a big screen monitor.  Bigger monitor also has higher native resolution which make everything smaller.  If you change the resolution to a lower resolution to make the image bigger you would notice image become fuzzy.  For me, the optimal screen size is a 20 inches monitor.

  I use a wireless keyboard with large print stickers with this PC.   Although there are large print keyboards on the market, they are fairly pricey, instead I use large print stickers on a  regular keyboard.  I only put the sticker on few selected keys.
Keyboard with stickers.

On my other PC, I have a large print backlit keyboard.  Because of my RP problem, I find this keyboard is not much of a big help.  In fact, I think I like the other keyboard better.
AZIO large print backlit keyboard

Telescopic Eyeglasses

I used the Ocutech telescopic eyeglasses when I was working.  This is a very light weight manual focus 3x mono telescope mounted on a specially design eyeglasses frame.  It is a great tool if you need to keep switching between seeing far and near objects like between a projector screen and the paper in front of you.  To see the object a far, you just dip your head a bit so your eye lines up with the Ocutech.  To see the stuff in front of you, just move you head up a bit to see thru your regular eyeglasses.  Ocutech is very expensive, it costed around $1,500 back in 2007.  I imagine the auto-focus model would cost a lot more.  Ocutech Info
    
If you have RP, you can't use the Ocutech for bioptic driving.  It is not a good tool for watching TV either.  I haven't used the Ocutech since I left my job.  I found a pair of 3x binocular eyeglasses for $30.  This eyeglasses is perfect for watching TV and sightseeing.
 
   

Sun Glasses

A baseball cap and a pair of sun glasses are essential for me when I go outside of the house.  I don't like Transition len eyeglasses because the color transition speed is way too slow for me.   Switching between regular and sun glasses or clip-on is too troublesome.   I found the perfect solution for me is a pair of eyeglasses with flip up shade.  The polarized shade is attached to the frame with a magnet.  I can easily flip the shade up or down as needed.  I have 2 different color shades.

The baseball cap also provide face protection from those low hanging tree branches and partially closed doors.   


Eye doctors offten suggest the costly Corning GlareControl sunglasses to cut down on glare and to improve constrast.  For a much lower cost alternative, you might want to try a pair of sunglasses from Noir Medical.  They have all type of color lens for various eye conditions.  The GlareShield series is supposely has the same optical performance as the Corning GlareControl lens.  You can buy the Noir lens as clip on, flip up, or fit over.  Noir Medical 

Digital talking book player

I love to read, but I can't read normal print material anymore, I depend on audio books and magazines to keep me entertained.  As a legally blind person, I have free access to many audio books and magazines from Library of Congress's BART and Colorado's talking book library.  I also have access textbooks from Bookshare.  All these free audio resources are in DAISY format which require a special player to play.  The Digital Talking Book player is given to me by the Colorado Talking Book library.  The player was specially designed to be easily operated by people who are blind or with physical handicap.  All the buttons are big and with contrast color.  In addition, all the buttons have speech feedback.  Audio books and magazines can be downloaded from the BART site or received on a special USB flash drive sent by a local talking book library, every states have a talking book library.

Talking watch

This watch has high contrast watch face so I can see the time during day time.  If I can't see the time, the watch would tell me the time and date with a push of button.  There are many talking devices to help people with visual impairment.  For example, blood pressure monitor, timer, kitchen and bathroom scale, etc.    
         

Liquid Level indicator

This very handy device hung on outside of a cup and sounds a musical tone when the liquid is about 1 inch from the top.  No more overflow when I fill the cup.
  

Writing Guides

These templates help me write envelopes and checks.  There are other special purpose writing guides available.  For example, signature guide, letter guide.  The pen shown in the photo is 20/20 pen, it is essentially a bold point marker.   This pen costs around $1 each, but you can use a regular permanent marker for around 30 cents each. 
Top: envelop writing guide.  Bottom: check writing guide
Signature guide.  Have someone line up the rubber string on the signature line on a document and sign your name above the rubber string.

Record Keeping Tools

I use the MS Word program to keep my written records.  I use a scanner to store the image of hardcopy documents.   I use a large print address book and bold line notebook for other written records.  A micro tape recorder is part of my record keeping tools.

Large print address book

Bold line notebook

 

Hand Held Magnifiers

Here are some magnifiers that I have used for the past few years.  I no longer use the dome magnifier as it doesn't have the power I need.  I still use the other two around the house or when I go shopping.   The LED lite magnifier is a store brand, which cost about half of a neame brand one.
 

Big Button Electronics

I still have enough vision to use electronics stuffs as long as they have big buttons.  You can buy many of them in low vision specialty  stores but they trend to be very pricey.    Instead you can find many similar big button electronics items with much lower price in typical stores.  For example, the big button remote and cordless phone shown below.

 

High Constrast Tape

I loss most of my depth preception.   Change in ground level really present a safety problem for me.  I use high constrast tape to mark the edge of my patio and steps outside my house.   I use black and yellow tape.  Depends on your vision, other color combination might work better for you. 
   
The black and yellow tape doesn't stick to concrete too well.  So I have to put down a strip of gorillo tape first on the concrete than I glue the black and yellow tape on top of the gorillo tape.  Both tapes are 2 inches wide and you can buy them from Amazon or your local hardware stores.
 
    

Canes

I have used a white cane, a yellow cane and a telescopic cane.   I don't like the telescopic cane at all because it would collapse when it bumps into any crack.  You can get a free white cane from National Federation of The Blind.  Get a free white cane Photo shows my yellow cane. Here is video on white cane usage.  You can get cane travel training for your state human services department, it is usually free of charge.

 Bump Dots

Bump dots are sticker that can be glued on buttons, switches, and knobs.  Those dots enable a blind person to locate and operate electronics devices by touch.  Bump dots come in various sizes, colors, and shapes.  There are other uses for those dots.

Bump dots in various sizes, colors, and shapes.

The buttons on this toaster oven are flat.  A bump dot on the toast button allow me to locate and operate the toaster.

 

Portable LED Booklight 

Since I can't read anymore, I found a new use for the portable LED booklight.   Dining in the dark is not for me, I like to see what I am eating.  If I have to eat in a dark restaurant, I would clip this booklight at the edge of the plate so I can see the food.  It would draw some giggle from your friends, but who care.

 The LED booklight let see what I am eating.

  

Flash Lights

Flash lights are RPer's best friend.  I have a flash light at almost every room in the house.   I like the white LED flash lights because they very bright, the LED almost last forever and very energy efficient.

From left to right

• LED pen light using one AA battery.
• Rechargeable LED flash light double as night light.
• LED flash light using 4 AA battery.