Audio tools, mobile apps, and vision magnifiers can help people with vision loss navigate their lives. Tools and tech options may help read prescription labels, get the news online, or find out what’s happening on favorite TV shows.
Losing your sight will affect everything you do each day, whether you experience low vision or blindness.
However, new technologies and tools can help you navigate these vision challenges.
Here are some assistive technologies that may be worth discussing with your healthcare team and support system to help you live with vision loss.
What is assistive technology for vision loss?
Vision assistive technologies may include low and high tech devices that can make everyday tasks easier for those with low vision or blindness.
These technologies can include:
- GPS navigation devices
- smartwatches or mobile apps that speak aloud
- audible screen readers for your smart devices
- smart devices like Alexa or Google Home that can talk with you or provide more sophisticated, smart home control
For healthcare, vision assistive devices may include tech products that can listen and speak aloud to help you do the following:
- manage your daily prescriptions
- portion your food
- adjust home thermometers
- effectively use devices like weight scales, blood sugar meters, and blood pressure monitors
It can be overwhelming to choose a vision aid, but your doctors can help.
An optometrist and occupational therapist specializing in
Many assistive technologies can help you along your healthcare journey. A 2023 study shows that readers and other assistive visual aids benefit people with low vision.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends a variety of tech and tools for people with vision loss or blindness.
These can include tools that help you:
- order and read prescriptions
- take your medications daily
- portion your food
- manage your overall wellness and any health conditions you may have
Many of these types of tech are useful not only for healthcare but also for other areas of your life.
Prescription readers
You can find different mobile apps and technologies that read prescription labels and speak aloud. Pharmacies and companies specializing in this technology offer many options, including:
- ScripTalk
- Spoken Rx at CVS
- Walgreens Talking Pill Reminder
- Be My Eyes app, which connects people with vision loss to sighted company representatives in a multitude of industries and services
Screen readers
Screen readers can include apps on your smartphone that can read text.
A 2018 review points to the benefits of screen reading tech, but researchers note there isn’t strong evidence proving any benefit from specific products or types of screen reader technology.
Magnifiers
Magnifiers can include software on your smartphone or a handheld magnifying device that enlarges items for better viewing.
Smart glasses
Smart glasses are a newer type of technology in which you put on a pair of frame lenses and the tech speaks aloud, whether you’re reading or looking around you.
One of these options is Meta smart glasses. Research shows these glasses can benefit people with vision impairments.
Assistive technologies can also help people with vision loss move around their homes safely and efficiently.
Research shows that while these may be beneficial tools and tech, many people with low vision don’t use them as often as might be needed.
Smart home tech
Smart technology is now available in many homes, such as smart appliances. Smart appliances and devices can be connected to vision loss-friendly apps that can help people with vision loss:
- cook meals with the stove, oven, toaster, microwave, air fryer, and Instapot
- know how much of an item is in the refrigerator
- operate laundry machines from other rooms or floors
- adjust thermostat
- turning inside and outdoor lights on or off
Talking devices
Talking devices like Amazon Alexa and Google Home allow people to ask questions and get audio answers. They help people with vision loss easily and quickly access information, from the weather forecast and TV lineups to contact information for new doctors.
Smart apps
Many mobile and smartphone apps can help people navigate their surroundings and places. For example, apps like TapTapSee use your device’s camera to take pictures or videos of objects and identify them for you.
Low vision–proofing your home
You can take steps to make your home safer when you live with vision loss. This can include redesigning parts of your home or moving furniture or objects to make it easier to navigate your surroundings. Find tips for making your home safer with low vision.
Assistive technologies and tools can help people stay informed, enjoy entertainment, and learn more about the world. For example:
- Audiobooks: These can be bought online or in many stores. Many public libraries offer audiobooks too. Options include books, magazines, newspapers, and podcasts.
- TV or movies: The Seeing AI app recognizes people and their emotions. It also reads text on screens. Many channels and platforms also offer audio assistance for entire monitors and TVs, as well as individualized channels or watchlist items.
- News: The National Federation for the Blind provides the free audio news service NFB-NEWSLINE. You can find newspapers and news sites from across the United States and the world. It has access to more than 500 publications, job listings, emergency weather alerts, and more.
People with vision loss can use assistive technologies to use ride-share services, navigate public transportation options, or simply walk around a local store or neighborhood.
A potential option besides the ones mentioned earlier in the article includes UNav, a computer vision-based aid that researchers used to examine step-by-step navigation instructions out in public. In a
Another 2024 study emphasizes how critical assistive technology is for people with vision loss, especially when it comes to navigating different places outside of their homes.
Researchers studied electronic travel aids in urban environments, using virtual reality (VR) to create an environment that resembled a subway station.
The study included 72 people without vision loss. Through the VR platform, participants experienced vision impairment while researchers asked them to perform obstacle avoidance tasks in the VR subway. Participants used talking feedback and audio cues without help.
Study authors point out that technologies too often don’t do well enough in helping people use them and move around as they can.
They concluded that companies developing assistive technologies should “prioritize consumer-oriented methodologies, testing devices in a staged manner with progression toward more realistic, ecologically valid settings to ensure safety.”
Other resources to help people with vision loss
Beyond assistive technologies, you can learn more about other resources and tools to help you navigate life with vision loss and blindness.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology offers many resources to find help on many aspects of life with low vision and vision loss, including devices, self-help materials, and different organizations that can provide services or support.
The nonprofits Glaucoma Research Foundation and National Council on Aging also offer more information and support on these technological options.
Assistive technology and tools, such as mobile apps, smart glasses, screen readers, and visual magnifiers, may help people with low vision and blindness.
Some people may also find smart-connected home technology as a way to help in many ways where they live.
Your eye care team can help you determine which tools or technologies would work best for you. If necessary, they can help you learn how to use specific devices and navigate your life with vision loss.