Living with Vision Loss

Episode 12: How Can I Explain My Vision Loss? Near Acuity

Living with Vision Loss Podcast Episode 12: How Can I Explain My Vision Loss? Near Acuity Host: Dawn Ciccarone, MS OTR/L, CLVT | Episode Type: Educational [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-ciccarone-ms-otrl-clvt-437766141/] Episode Summary Dawn shares three ways to explain your near vision loss to family, friends, and healthcare providers. Vision loss is personal and hard to explain, but educating others helps you feel less alone. What Is Near Acuity? Near acuity is seeing up close. Normal vision reads 1M (8-point font). With vision loss, you may only see larger print or you may not be able to see print at all. Three Ways to Explain Your Near Vision Loss 1. Describe the print size you can see — "I can only see 64-point font" or "I can't see any print." 2. Describe activities you struggle reading— Medicine bottles, mail, prices, labels, cooking instructions, money, credit cards, computer screens. 3. Describe your eye condition — "I have macular degeneration and can't see regular print" or "I have glaucoma and can't identify my medications." Treatment Interventions for Near Acuity • Magnification — Make print bigger (devices covered in previous episodes) • Text-to-speech -devices, apps or technology (more episodes coming) • Adaptation — Automatic bill pay, online grocery delivery, doing things differently Things to Consider It's okay to be frustrated, annoyed, or tired. Vision loss affects every aspect of life. Educate others when you're ready — there's no pressure. Explaining your vision loss can help you feel less alone. Resources Questions: dawnmciccarone@gmail.com | YouTube: Search "Living with Vision Loss Dawn Ciccarone" Share how you explain your vision loss or strategies that improved your quality of life on YouTube! Keywords: near acuity, explain vision loss, low vision education, macular degeneration, glaucoma, print size, magnification, text to speech, vision loss family Medical Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. Consult your physician or low vision specialist before making treatment decisions. Living with Vision Loss Podcast © 2026 | Become More Independent in Your Everyday Life

Episode 11: What is a Low Vision Occupational Therapist?

Living with Vision Loss Podcast Episode 11: What Is a Low Vision OT? Host: Dawn Ciccarone, MS OTR/L, CLVT [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-ciccarone-ms-otrl-clvt-437766141/] | Episode Type: Educational Episode Summary Dawn explains what a low vision OT does after 25+ years in the field. She covers evaluations, activities of daily living addressed, and how treatment is personalized to your goals—from eccentric viewing for macular degeneration to glare evaluations and non-optical devices. What We Address Eating, dressing, grooming, phone use, cooking, shopping, reading, writing, school, work, and leisure activities What We Do in Treatment • Adapt phones/iPads to your print size and contrast needs • Teach eccentric viewing (shift blind spot to see faces/words) and scanning techniques • Work with prisms (yoked, Fresnel, Eli Peli) for visual field loss • Glare evaluations (indoor, outdoor, nighttime, computer) and filter recommendations • Teach non-optical devices (signature guides, liquid indicators) Real-Life Examples • Eating: Clock method, change dish color for contrast, Seeing AI Describe feature • Medication/Cooking: Handheld magnifier, video magnifier, apps — then practice the actual task What to Expect Initial evaluation + 3-6 sessions. You are in charge — you set your goals. We also consider cognition, home environment, support systems, and physical abilities. Resources Questions: dawnmciccarone@gmail.com | YouTube: Search "Living with Vision Loss Dawn Ciccarone" OTs interested in specializing in vision — reach out to Dawn! Keywords: low vision OT, occupational therapy, eccentric viewing, macular degeneration, scanning techniques, glare evaluation, prism glasses, vision rehabilitation, CLVT Medical Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. Consult your physician or low vision specialist before making treatment decisions. Living with Vision Loss Podcast © 2026 | Become More Independent in Your Everyday Life

Episode 10: How Does Seeing AI Recognize Food, Money, and Text for People with Vision Loss?

Living with Vision Loss Podcast Episode 10: How Does Seeing AI Recognize Food, Money, and Text for People with Vision Loss? Host: Dawn Ciccarone, MS OTR/L, CLVT [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-ciccarone-ms-otr-l-clvt-437766141/] Episode Type: Educational / App Guide Episode Summary Dawn introduces Seeing AI, a free text-to-speech app that helps people who are legally blind read again. If magnification devices don't work due to severely reduced vision, central scotomas, constricted peripheral fields, or severe glare, Seeing AI can read printed material aloud and describe objects in your environment. Dawn demonstrates the three main features: Read, Describe, and More (currency and color identification). Who Is Seeing AI For? 1. People who can't see print even with magnification 2. People with central scotomas (blind spots in central vision) 3. People with severely constricted peripheral fields 4. Anyone who is legally blind and wants to read independently Three Main Features of Seeing AI 1. Read 2. Hold camera in front of printed material — it reads aloud instantly 3. Great for spot reading (labels, cans, short text) 4. Document Detection feature for longer pages or paragraphs 5. Describe 6. Identifies food on your plate 7. Describes objects in your environment 8. Helps find lost items by describing what the camera sees 9. More (Currency & Color) 10. Currency — Identifies paper bills (prevents tipping or paying the wrong amount) 11. Color — Identifies colors (accuracy varies with lighting) How to Get Started 1. Download the app — Free on iPhone and Android 2. Open the app — Use voice commands or VoiceOver 3. Line up the camera — Use a reading stand to hold material 4. Tap the screen — Controls are auditory and tell you what you're accessing Things to Consider 1. Practice is essential — don't get frustrated 2. Camera alignment matters — won't read the whole page if not lined up correctly 3. If you don't like the Read feature, try Document Detection instead 4. Can also download on iPad 5. If you have reduced acuity and can't see icons, learn VoiceOver (future episode) 6. It's free — try it and see if it works for your goals! Resources to Learn Seeing AI 1. Lighthouse Guild [https://lighthouseguild.org/] https://lighthouseguild.org/— Videos on how to use Seeing AI: lighthouseguild.org [https://lighthouseguild.org] 2. Hadley Helps [https://hadleyhelps.org/user-signup?vision-resources/adjusting-vision-loss-support-and-resources&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22262869350&gbraid=0AAAAA-6ZPANDwVUsi6iSiLEGAulJuT23T&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsdnNBhC4ARIsAA_3heilSHjTjWuW8r-UHfrQvBMMPuN5l495X8ZZF-IIqWnUHU35ksrkohQaArGtEALw_wcB] https://hadleyhelps.org/user-signup?vision-resources/adjusting-vision-loss-support-and-resources&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22262869350&gbraid=0AAAAA-6ZPANDwVUsi6iSiLEGAulJuT23T&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsdnNBhC4ARIsAA_3heilSHjTjWuW8r-UHfrQvBMMPuN5l495X8ZZF-IIqWnUHU35ksrkohQaArGtEALw_wcB— Instructional videos for Android and iPhone (free membership): hadley.edu [https://hadley.edu] 3. The Blind Life Podcast [https://theblindlife.podbean.com/] https://theblindlife.podbean.com/— Insights on using Seeing AI (available on YouTube and podcast platforms) 4. YouTube — Search "Living with Vision Loss Dawn Ciccarone" for demonstrations 5. Questions or to share your Seeing AI experience, email dawnmciccarone@gmail.com [dawnmciccarone@gmail.com] Coming in the Next Episode Other text-to-speech devices to help with reading About Your Host Dawn Ciccarone, MS, OTR/L, CLVT [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-ciccarone-ms-otr-l-clvt-437766141/] is a Certified Low Vision Therapist and Occupational Therapist with over 20 years of experience helping people with vision loss live independently. Connect & Subscribe Subscribe to the Living with Vision Loss Podcast. Contact Dawn on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-ciccarone-ms-otr-l-clvt-437766141/] with questions or dawnmciccarone@gmail.com [dawnmciccarone@gmail.com] Keywords: Seeing AI app, text to speech app, read aloud app, legally blind reading, low vision app, describe objects app, currency identifier app, central scotoma, blind spot vision, iPhone accessibility, Android accessibility, Lighthouse Guild, Hadley Helps, The Blind Life podcast Medical Disclaimer The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult your physician or low vision specialist before making treatment decisions. Living with Vision Loss Podcast © 2026 | Become More Independent in Your Everyday Life

Episode 9: What Magnification Apps Can Help Me Read Again?

Living with Vision Loss Podcast Episode 9: What Magnification Apps Can Help Me Read Again? Host: Dawn Ciccarone, MS OTR/L, CLVT [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-ciccarone-ms-otr-l-clvt-437766141/] Episode Type: Educational / App Guide Episode Summary Dawn shares her three favorite magnification apps that help people with low vision read small print. She explains why these apps work best for spot reading tasks like medicine bottles, prices at the store, and restaurant menus. Dawn walks through how to use her favorite app, Visor, and shares practical tips for success including proper camera distance (about 4-6inches), using a reading stand, and the importance of practice. Dawn's Recommended Magnification Apps 1. Visor (Dawn's Favorite) — Free on Android, ~$18 one-time fee on iPhone 2. HW Explorer — Free on Android and iPhone 3. Supervision Plus Magnifier — Free on Android and iPhone 4. We Zoom Magnifier — Popular on Android phones Best Uses for Magnification Apps (Spot Reading) 1. Medicine bottles 2. Prices and labels at the store 3. Restaurant menus (especially in dark lighting) 4. Labels and cans Note: These apps don't work great for reading books because the phone screens are a small field of view for extended reading tasks. Why Dawn Loves the Visor App 1. Simple, easy-to-use controls 2. Plus button (center) — Magnifies in 3 different sizes 3. Mode button (blue/black) — Changes contrast colors 4. Sun button (red) — Turns on flashlight How to Get Started 1. Download the app — Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iPhone) 2. Play with the controls — Magnification, color/contrast, flashlight 3. Hold camera at correct distance — About 4-6 inches from the material 4. Line up camera with material — Practice aligning what you want to read 5. Practice, practice, practice! Tips for Success 1. Use a reading stand — Holds material so you're hands free to operate the apps 2. Start with simple materials — Soup cans, envelopes, medicine bottles 3. Add the app to your toolbar — Makes it easier to find on your home screen 4. Use voice commands — "Hey Siri, open Visor" or "Hey Google, open Visor" 5. Ask for help downloading — Family or friends can help with setup Things to Consider 1. Learning takes time — like riding a bike, don't get frustrated 2. Camera focuses at about 4-6 inches — print won't be clear at wrong distance 3. Research shows apps help, but only when properly taught and practiced 4. Also great for anyone over 40 with presbyopia who forgets their reading glasses! Apps Mentioned 1. Visor (V-I-S-O-R) 2. HW Explorer 3. Supervision Plus Magnifier 4. We Zoom Magnifier (Android) Resources 1. YouTube — Search "Living with Vision Loss Dawn Ciccarone" to see app demonstrations 2. Questions about apps or to share your favorite app, email dawnmciccarone@gmail.com [dawnmciccarone@gmail.com] Coming in the Next Episode Dawn's favorite text-to-speech app: Seeing AI About Your Host Dawn Ciccarone, MS, OTR/L, CLVT [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-ciccarone-ms-otr-l-clvt-437766141/] is a Certified Low Vision Therapist and Occupational Therapist with over 20 years of experience helping people with vision loss live independently. Connect & Subscribe Subscribe to the Living with Vision Loss Podcast. Contact Dawn on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-ciccarone-ms-otr-l-clvt-437766141/] with questions or dawnmciccarone@gmail.com [dawnmciccarone@gmail.com] Keywords: magnification apps, low vision apps, Visor app, HW Explorer, Supervision Plus, magnifier app iPhone, magnifier app Android, reading with low vision, spot reading, enlarge print app, low vision technology, presbyopia reading help Medical Disclaimer The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult your physician or low vision specialist before making treatment decisions. Living with Vision Loss Podcast © 2026 | Become More Independent in Your Everyday Life

Episode 8: How Can Video Magnification Help You Read at Work, School & Home?

Living with Vision Loss Podcast Episode 8: How Can Video Magnification Help You Read at Work, School & Home? Host: Dawn Ciccarone, MS OTR/L, CLVT [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-ciccarone-ms-otr-l-clvt-437766141/] Episode Type: Educational / Product Guide Episode Summary Dawn explains why video magnification is one of the most popular solutions for people with vision loss who want to read again at work, school, or home. Unlike optical magnifiers, video magnifiers let you adjust magnification daily (up to 60x), change contrast colors, and see more words on the screen without losing field of view. Dawn shares her three favorite portable video magnifiers and discusses cost considerations and funding options. Why Video Magnification Is Popular 1. Adjust magnification daily 2. Change contrast to the color you see best 3. See more words on the screen — magnify without losing field of view Dawn's Three Favorite Video Magnifiers 1. Ruby XL HD (Freedom Scientific) 1. Tilt screen — lay flat on paper or switch to handle for medicine bottles 2. Multiple contrast modes, adjustable magnification 3. Great portable option for work; smaller screen limits high magnification 2. Explore 12 (Humanware) 1. Simple controls: orange button for contrast, +/- buttons for size 2. Larger screen = more words visible at high magnification 3. Optional stand for writing under the camera 3. Clover Book Pro 1. Lightweight, portable with both near and distance cameras 2. Distance camera sees presentations, whiteboards, teacher's face 3. Ideal for classroom or office meeting settings Things to Consider 1. Match the device to your goals - Video magnification is like shoe shopping. Find the right fit. 2. Try before you buy — Evaluations typically last 1–1.5 hours 3. Cost — Devices range from $900–$3,000; not covered by insurance Funding Options 1. Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (state agency) 2. Lions Club 3. Church organizations 4. Your employer (workplace accommodations) 5. Your school (student accommodations) Brands Mentioned 1. Freedom Scientific 2. Humanware 3. Optelec 4. Low Vision International Resources Questions or for information about the Clover Book Pro email dawnmciccarone@gmail.com YouTube - Search Living with Vision Loss Dawn Ciccarone to view devices [https://www.youtube.com/@LivingWithVisionLoss] Questions about purchasing video magnification devices from Freedom Scientific, Humanware, Optelec or Low Vision International email Nick Peterson at visability.nick@gmail.com About Your Host Dawn Ciccarone, MS, OTR/L, CLVT [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-ciccarone-ms-otr-l-clvt-437766141/] is a Certified Low Vision Therapist and Occupational Therapist with over 20 years of experience helping people with vision loss live independently. Connect & Subscribe Subscribe to the Living with Vision Loss Podcast. Contact Dawn on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-ciccarone-ms-otr-l-clvt-437766141/] with questions or dawnmciccarone@gmail.com Keywords: video magnification, video magnifier, CCTV for low vision, Ruby XL HD, Explore 12, Clover Book Pro, Freedom Scientific, Humanware, portable video magnifier, low vision at work, low vision at school, magnifier with contrast, distance camera magnifier Medical Disclaimer The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult your physician or low vision specialist before making treatment decisions. Living with Vision Loss Podcast © 2026| Become More Independent in Your Everyday Life