NOTES, CASES, INSTRUMENTS A FLEXIBLE STAND FOR HAND-HELD MAGNIFIERS G. M. HOPE, PH.D. Louisville, Kentucky One of the difficulties encountered by patients with low vision is that many activities requiring the use of a magnifier also require the use of both hands. Al- though a number of flexible stand magnifiers are available, they are rarely of adequate power to aid the low-vision patient. The application of flexible microphone stands to hand-held magnifiers used as low vision aids is a partial solution to this problem. One such device consists of a cast iron microphone desk stand (Atlas Sound DS- 5), goose neck (13 in., Atlas Sound GN- 13), adaptor (University Sound UAD-101 or Atlas Sound AD-4B), and a microphone holder (Olsen Electronics MK-082 or 040). An array of hand-held magnifiers simply clip into the holder and an assembled stand holding a +20-diopter magnifier (Figure, top). Many other hand-held magnifiers are useful as low-vision aids, but will not clip into the holder; they can be attached through the hole created by removing the screw holding the plastic microphone clip to the threaded metal attachment (Figure, bottom). Thirteen of the 17 hand-held magnifiers listed in one catalog of low-vision aids 1 can be used on this stand, and eight of these can be clipped in and out. Many From the Department of Ophthalmology, Ken- tucky Lion's Research Institute, University of Lou- isville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky. Reprint requests to G. M. Hope, Ph.D., Depart- ment of Ophthalmology, Kentucky Lion's Eye Re- search Institute, University of Louisville School of Medicine, 301 E. Walnut St., Louisville, KY 40202. Figure (Hope). Top, Stand in "clip-in" configuration; complete and unassembled examples, with several magnifiers that can be clipped into the holder without modification. Bottom, Stand in "bolt-on" configuration; complete and unassembled examples, with several applicable magnifiers. other hand-held magnifiers can be adapted to use with the stand by enlarging the handle; this is accomplished by wrapping the handle with tape or by simply drilling a small hole in it. Many vocational rehabilitation clients have found this device useful for vocational applications, as well as for sewing, crafts, and other such activities. REFERENCE 1. New York Association for the Blind, Low Vi- sion Service: Catalogue of Optical Aids, 3rd ed. New York, 1974. 872

A Flexible Stand for Hand-Held Magnifiers

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NOTES, CASES, INSTRUMENTS

A FLEXIBLE STAND FOR HAND-HELD MAGNIFIERS

G. M. H O P E , P H . D . Louisville, Kentucky

One of the difficulties encountered by patients with low vision is that many activities requiring the use of a magnifier also require the use of both hands. Although a number of flexible stand magnifiers are available, they are rarely of adequate power to aid the low-vision patient. The application of flexible microphone stands to hand-held magnifiers used as low vision aids is a partial solution to this problem.

One such device consists of a cast iron microphone desk stand (Atlas Sound DS-5), goose neck (13 in., Atlas Sound GN-13), adaptor (University Sound UAD-101 or Atlas Sound AD-4B), and a microphone holder (Olsen Electronics MK-082 or 040). An array of hand-held magnifiers simply clip into the holder and an assembled stand holding a +20-diopter magnifier (Figure, top). Many other hand-held magnifiers are useful as low-vision aids, but will not clip into the holder; they can be attached through the hole created by removing the screw holding the plastic microphone clip to the threaded metal attachment (Figure, bottom).

Thirteen of the 17 hand-held magnifiers listed in one catalog of low-vision aids1 can be used on this stand, and eight of these can be clipped in and out. Many

From the Department of Ophthalmology, Kentucky Lion's Research Institute, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky.

Reprint requests to G. M. Hope, Ph.D., Department of Ophthalmology, Kentucky Lion's Eye Research Institute, University of Louisville School of Medicine, 301 E. Walnut St., Louisville, KY 40202.

Figure (Hope). Top, Stand in "clip-in" configuration; complete and unassembled examples, with several magnifiers that can be clipped into the holder without modification. Bottom, Stand in "bolt-on" configuration; complete and unassembled examples, with several applicable magnifiers.

other hand-held magnifiers can be adapted to use with the stand by enlarging the handle; this is accomplished by wrapping the handle with tape or by simply drilling a small hole in it. Many vocational rehabilitation clients have found this device useful for vocational applications, as well as for sewing, crafts, and other such activities.

R E F E R E N C E

1. New York Association for the Blind, Low Vision Service: Catalogue of Optical Aids, 3rd ed. New York, 1974.

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