Optical and nonoptical aids for reading and writing in individuals with acquired low vision

Purpose: To evaluate the use of optical and nonoptical aids during reading and writing activities in individuals with acquired low vision. Methods: This study was performed using descriptive and cross-sectional surveys. The data collection instrument was created with structured questions that were developed from an exploratory study and a previous test based on interviews, and it evaluated the following variables: personal characteristics, use of optical and nonoptical aids, and activities that required the use of optical and nonoptical aids. Results: The study population included 30 subjects with acquired low vision and visual acuities of 20/200-20/400. Most subjects reported the use of some optical aids (60.0%). Of these 60.0%, the majority (83.3%) cited spectacles as the most widely used optical aid. The majority (63.3%) of subjects also reported the use of nonoptical aids, the most frequent ones being letter magnification (68.4%), followed by bringing the objects closer to the eyes (57.8%). Subjects often used more than one nonoptical aid. Conclusions: The majority of participants reported the use of optical and nonoptical aids during reading activities, highlighting the use of spectacles, magnifying glasses, and letter magnification; however, even after the use of these aids, we found that the subjects often needed to read the text more than once to understand it. During writing activities, all subjects reported the use of optical aids, while most stated that they did not use nonoptical aids for such activities.

研究目的：评估获得性低视力人群在阅读与书写活动中光学辅助器具与非光学辅助器具的使用情况。
研究方法：本研究采用描述性横断面调查设计开展。数据收集工具由结构化问卷构成，该问卷基于一项探索性研究及既往访谈式预测试开发完成，评估的变量包括个人基本特征、光学与非光学辅助器具使用情况，以及需使用光学/非光学辅助器具的活动场景。
研究结果：本研究纳入30名获得性低视力受试者，其视力范围为20/200至20/400。多数受试者（60.0%）报告曾使用光学辅助器具，其中83.3%的人群表示普通眼镜是其最常用的光学辅助器具。另有63.3%的受试者报告使用过非光学辅助器具，使用频次最高的为文字放大工具（68.4%），其次为将物品移近眼部（57.8%）。受试者通常会同时使用多种非光学辅助器具。
研究结论：多数受试者表示在阅读活动中会使用光学与非光学辅助器具，其中以普通眼镜、放大镜及文字放大工具的使用最为突出；但即便使用了上述辅助器具，受试者仍需反复阅读文本才能理解内容。在书写活动中，所有受试者均报告会使用光学辅助器具，但多数人表示不会在书写时使用非光学辅助器具。