It can be said that the best technology are the innovations that move us forward. With a hint of ingenuity, and a dash of the unexpected, these inventions can move from the realm of something that is simply good, to the pages of history as a device that is nothing short of extraordinary. Since 1996, Enhanced Vision has been on the forefront of low vision magnification, designed to effectively assist the visually impaired by utilizing the latest in cutting edge tech, combined with practical application. This year at CSUN in San Diego, Enhanced Vision brought the Merlin Elite and DaVInci CCTVs into the limelight, along with the renowned Pebble portable handheld magnifiers, so that low vision attendees could have hands-on demonstrations and see for themselves how much of a benefit these portable handhelds and desktops really are.

The Enhanced Vision booth, cleverly designed to display the Merlin Elite on the left, the DaVinci on the right, and the Pebbles in the middle, instantly became a magnet for spectators and enthusiasts interested in the possibilities of camera based low vision magnification. These exciting events are anticipated by the EV staff, as it gives us the opportunity to witness first-hand how much our products really assist the visually impaired with everyday activities, such as writing checks, reading magazines, or having documents read back to them in a clear, adjustable voice. For example, the Merlin Elite would draw the attention of anybody who happened to walk by, including people that weren’t necessarily visually impaired, who couldn’t help but be seduced by the sharp, vibrant colors of the high definition display. It was a site to behold: an image being magnified to extreme levels, while still retaining its pristine details. In the past, the further an image would be magnified, it would become pixilated and/or distorted. But Enhanced Vision proves that loss of quality with magnification is indeed a thing of the past.

Perhaps the most rewarding moments of CSUN were when people with low vision got to experiment with our products. Whether they were mildly visually impaired, or legally blind, our magnifiers always brought out big smiles I will never forget. Faces became filled with wonder and hope as expectations were exceeded, and it began to settle in what was really possible with current technology. One woman was so impressed by the Pebble’s compact size and crystal clear display, that she came back multiple times, with her friends and family, perhaps to show them the effectiveness of the magnifiers, how easy they were to use, or just to take a second look and make sure what she saw was actually real. Another man who was severely blind stopped by our booth with his guide dog. After asking him if he was familiar with the Merlin Elite, I brought him over to the device, where he could write his signature, which only took him a few moments to adjust to, since he said he had never seen his own writing more clearly. Amazed by the possibilities of deep magnification, we then watched as a small newspaper became dramatically larger on the display in front of him which he was then able to read. I showed him the text-to-speech technology, where with the push of a single button, the entire article was clearly read to him aloud in a fully adjustable voice. The best part was when I asked him to try it, and I brought his hand over to the center of the control panel, where the button was easily found. Once he pushed it, he was thrilled as the latest baseball scores were being read back to him in a soft, relaxing voice. It is something we are all just getting used to: the possibility of low vision solutions that extend far beyond surgery or glasses. Personally, that day at CSUN was the most rewarding and wonderful experience of my life, and I will never forget the feeling of wonder and amazement that still exists within me as I share my experience with you.