Due to their optical characteristics, stand magnifiers are very different tools than
other types of near low vision aids. The implications of these characteristics are
important in clinical low vision practice. Since their magnification is in part
determined by the spectacle add that is used with them, they should not be used
as though they provide their labeled magnification. In addition, some stand
magnifiers have maximum usable spectacle adds that limit their usefulness with
some bifocals. In order to better understand the value of stand magnifiers, I have
found it helpful to first understand how stand magnifier enlargement is
fundamentally different from other types of magnification.
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