Loke Kai Yu has vision problems but that hasn’t stopped her from finding solutions so she can continue living a meaningful life.

 

Ninety-year-old Loke Kai Yu has had eye problems for many years. The grandmother of three started off with symptoms of dry eyes and frequent bleeding spots in the eyes. When her eyesight did not improve after a cataract operation and her vision deteriorated, she went to the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) and was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration or AMD in 2009.

Since her diagnosis, her vision has been deteriorating to a point where it has impacted her social life, especially in the last 10 years. Kai Yu said: “I have had to reduce outings and meetups with friends and relatives as my vision deteriorated. I am now unable to go out alone and only go out for medical appointments.” Before she retired more than 45 years ago, her last job was a stenographer/personal assistant to a doctor in the radiography department at Singapore General Hospital.

After retiring, besides her social activities, she also found solace in reading books. However, that has changed with her vision being impaired. “My eyes tire easily so I don’t read books anymore. I read mainly articles in publications like the Reader’s Digest, which I used to subscribe to. I also love to read the newspapers to keep abreast of current affairs and what’s going on in the community.

“Previously, I could read the whole newspaper but now I can only the main captions or headers with the aid of a handheld magnifier. As the magnification is limited, I can’t read for long as my eyes would get tired and tear,” she shared.

In 2020, when she informed her doctor that she wished there could be some way to improve her vision so she could read more, she was referred to SNEC’s Low Vision Unit. During that visit, she purchased a handheld magnifier with a light attached from the Low Vision Unit. Kai Yu was not aware of other assistive devices available for loan until a visit to the Low Vision Unit in August 2021 when the optometrist asked if she would like to loan one of the low vision devices for trial use at the STAAR (Smart Technology Active Ageing Resource) Corner at SNEC.

She jumped on the opportunity and has since borrowed three assistive devices including the Topaz HD (high-definition desktop video magnifier for reading and performing daily tasks), Ruby 7 (high-definition handheld magnifier) and Snow 12 (portable video magnifier that has text-to-speech capabilities and comes with a detachable foldable stand that makes activities like writing easier). Sharing about these devices, she said: “It has all been helpful because of the larger magnification. This had enabled me to read a greater extent of the newspapers instead of just the header captions. Usage of the devices has made my day more meaningful as I can spend more time and a greater part of the day to read the newspapers and catch up with the latest news.”

Kai Yu added: “Of the three devices, I have found the Topaz to be more comfortable on the eyes but it is unfortunately too bulky, heavy and pricey. I will probably consider purchasing the Ruby 7 compared to the Topaz, as it is significantly more portable.” A check on the manufacturer’s website shows that the Ruby 7 is priced around US$1,255 (around S$1,706.93).

When asked what she would like to say to others with low vision, she shared this: “Be positive and stay strong. Help yourself to overcome your visual handicap and try to find avenues and opportunities available to continue living a more meaningful day every day.”

 

** For more on the STAAR (Smart Technology Active Ageing Resource) Corner at SNEC, go to: www.snec.com.sg/patient-care/specialties-and-services/clinics-centres/satellite-at-loan-library-@snec.