Sight Savers America, a nonprofit organization, and Optelec have partnered over the past few years to help children with low vision. The goal of Sight Savers America is to provide assistive technology, particularly electronic video magnifiers, to help children with severe visual impairments achieve their best in school and in their lives despite their challenges. Since 1997, over 375,000 children have received routine eye care and over 1,200 children with low vision have received vision aids. Read the stories of five children below who recently received life-changing electronic video magnifiers. 

Eighteen year old Christian was diagnosed with optic atrophy. He was given a monocular telescope and an Optelec MultiView electronic video magnifier. Christian learned all of the functions of his MultiView quickly. He was looking forward utilizing this product in college where he started taking classes in the fall. He now uses his new MultiView almost every day for his course work.

Terry is a 6 year old boy who was diagnosed with aniridia and nystagmus. Terry received a monocular, a dome magnifier and an Optelec MultiView. Terry immediately enjoyed using the self viewing function of the MultiView to look at his face and then used the distance viewing function to watch a crane outside of the office building. He really likes his new Visio aids and is using them almost every day. Terry mostly uses the MultiView for his homework and reading, but also to address the Valentine’s cards he sent out to his classmates on Valentine’s Day.

Deborah is an 18 year old girl who was diagnosed with toxoplasmosis chorioretinitis and nystagmus. She received a monocular telescope and an Optelec MultiView. She was eager to learn how it could make her daily tasks easier, like putting on her makeup. Deborah also often uses her new MultiView for homework and watching TV.

8 year old Kyle was diagnosed with leukemia at a young age and lost his vision due to retinal scarring caused by chemotherapy treatments. Kyle received an Optelec MultiView. He enjoys using the different color functions and the distance viewing. He uses his new MultiView almost every day to read and loves to be able to read regular print books instead of having to read in Braille. The MultiView allowed him to see the details of a quarter for the first time in his life. Now as a fun activity, Kyle and his parents find objects around their house to look at together.

Javon is a 9 year old boy who was diagnosed with septo-optic dysplasia, high myopia and nystagmus. He also received an Optelec MultiView. Javon enjoys using the freeze frame function with the distance viewing mode to take pictures of himself and his dad. Javon is doing well and uses his new device everyday for homework and reading.

You can support the Sight Savers America program by making a donation on their website. Your donation will help purchase an electronic video magnifier, a low vision evaluation or other vision aid for a child with severe visual impairment. Your donation can allow a child to read, write, do homework and perform daily activities. For more information, please visit the website here.