Bierley's MonoMouse

As more visually impaired patients enquire about electronic magnifying devices, Jane Macnaughton describes a new and easily affordable addition to those available in the UK

IT IS SO refreshing when something new comes on the market for visually impaired users. After all, when it comes to making things appear larger, there are a limited number of ways in which it can be done. If magnification can be packaged in a simple-to-use, good quality product that appeals to a wide range of patients, there will certainly be a market.

When it comes to pricing, Bierley has firmly beaten the rest of the current market players. The MonoMouse is a good quality video magnifier retailing at £99 plus VAT - just a few pounds more than a good quality optical magnifier of similar magnification.

With approximately 70 per cent of visually impaired in the UK being over 75 years of age,¹ there is a need to produce an ergonomic device which is affordable and attractive to visually impaired users, including the elderly. The Department of Health has estimated that the total number of visually impaired is set to rise by 25 per cent in the next 20 years.² This will undoubtedly result in a greater demand for services for visually impaired people, which will include the provision of low vision aids.³

The advancements and improvements in quality and efficiency of components have widened the use of electronic magnification. All age groups are now regular computer users and as relative costs reduce and portability improves it is predicted that domestic use will become commonplace. In time the elderly will turn to electronic magnification as a principal method of magnification.

In a previous OPTICIAN article, Bill Harvey argued that the use of electronic magnification should now become a regular feature of low vision consultations within all age groups.⁴

The MonoMouse fits comfortably into the patient's hand and the one-touch blue button is highly visible

It is arguably fundamental for low vision practitioners to discuss and preferably demonstrate the advantages of electronic devices alongside the established optical approach to prescribing magnification during the consultation.

The concept of using a CCTV as a low vision aid has been a reality for some time.^5-7 Despite the advantages of an enhanced image and significantly more magnification than optical devices, the high cost of equipment and lack of portability has previously limited their use to the workplace or schoolroom, where funding may be applied for.

Over recent years more portable video magnifiers have become available, offering good quality images at a lower cost than the conventional CCTV systems. However, all are still in the region of several hundred pounds, which is still a limiting factor for a significant number of patients, especially the elderly.