Hi Carol,
This problem is somewhat more complex than might appear.  I doubt that merely
getting better resolution will solve your problem.

You should of course try various software techniques for
magnifying the screen.  That's not my area of knowledge so I'll
leave it for those that know.

However the loss of a portion of your visual field causes
particular problems which are unlike other causes of reduced
vision. The first thing low vision folks will tell you is that
there are many different kinds of problems that can be called
"low vision!" and no single solution fits them all.


You need to contact someone who is a real specialist in this kind
of work. I don't know where you are, but if you're in the S.F.
bay area, I can recommend two places to start looking. If
Berkeley Calif. is accessible, you need to see the folks at the
low vision clinic at the U.C. Berkeley school of Optometry.

The trick word here is Low Vision.  Just any optometrist or ophthalmologist
will not do.

There are techniques, both in software and hardware as well as things you can
learn to do which will help.

Also, you might wish to contact Dr. Manfred MacKeben here at Smith-Kettlewell
Eye Research Institute.  He specializes in this area of research
and has techniques that can be taught to folks in your exact situation that
can improve reading dramatically.

Manfred's email is
[log in to unmask]

If you are not in the S.F. area, contact your nearest medical school and find
if they have a low vision clinic.

do not take the word of your personal eye doc on this kind of thing.  Most
practicing doctors are completely in the dark regarding what to do when
you loose vision.  Once you have uncurable loss, they are also at a loss.

Again, I strongly recommend you do some homework before spending lots of
money on equipment which may well not help.

Unless your son is a low vision specialist with actual experience
 in this area of work he will not know of the latest techniques.

Also, I've had several friends who've had the same thing happen
to them, and have made almost complete recoveries.  It does take
time.

Hope you have success,
If not, contact me again and I'll try to find you other resources.

Tom fowle
Rehab engineering Research Center
Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute
http://www.ski.org


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