1.       LVAs are special optical devices meant to aid vision at near or distance in patients with poor vision and those who cannot be improved with standard spectacles. (e.g., patients having advanced diabetic retinopathy, retinal degenerations, optic atrophy, macular degenerations, etc. 

    2.       LVAs are still in infancy in India as most doctors, opticians and patients are not fully aware of the subject.  Added to the above fact is that LVAs are not easily available.  Only a few varieties are available in India. 

    3.       Different LVAs are required for near, intermediate and long distances. One should not have too high expectations from these unlike with conventional spectacles. 

    4.       LVAs can be used in various ways e.g., they may be hand held type, paper weight types, stand magnifiers, spectacle mounted, telescopic types etc.  These are either monocular or binocular. 

    5.       Use of LVA is not as simple as that of spectacles, as patient must understand the following facts before its use

                    (i)       LVAs mainly work on the basis of magnification of image and magnification does not always mean clearer image. It simply means larger image.

                  (ii)       Moreover as one can imagine, larger magnification means smaller field of view and working distance is also reduced (i.e., patient needs to keep books, etc. at closer distance than usual).

                 (iii)       Good and optimal illumination is must for an LVA use.

                 (iv)       Remember that these aids are harmless even on life long use and there is no fact in the belief that these would cause eyestrain or cause residual vision to further deteriorate.