How Do I Use A Monocular Telescope?

How to Use a Monocular Telescope for Low Vision

Monocular telescopes are a valuable tool for low vision, offering meaningful magnification in a compact design. Unlike bulky binoculars, these single-eyed telescopes are small enough to fit in your pocket, making them ideal for a range of tasks from reading signs to general distance viewing.

Using a monocular telescope is quite simple. The device has a barrel that you twist to adjust the focus. By twisting it one way or the other, you can bring an object into clear focus, whether it’s just a few feet away or much farther in the distance.

Understanding Magnification and Vision

The magnification power of a telescope is indicated by a number followed by an “X.” For example, a 3X telescope makes things appear three times bigger. You can use this number to understand how the device improves your visual acuity. If your uncorrected vision is 20/120, a 3X telescope can effectively improve it to 20/40 (20/120 divided by 3). A 6X telescope on the same patient would result in an approximate 20/20 vision (20/120 divided by 6).

Aiming and Field of View

While using the telescope is straightforward, aiming it can be a challenge. As the magnification power increases, the field of view decreases. This means it’s much easier to find your target with a 3X telescope than with a 6X or 10X. To get good at using a monocular telescope, it’s a good idea to practice. Try looking around a room, finding a target, and then zooming in on it. This will help you become proficient before you take the telescope out into the world.

Charlie Saccarelli

President, Chadwick Optical

As President of Chadwick Optical, Charlie Saccarelli is the driving force behind the company’s mission to help every patient left behind by the current health care system. Under his leadership, Chadwick has grown from a simple optical lab into a trusted resource for practitioners around the world looking for ways to help the patients that “can’t be helped.” He is a master optician, a father, a bit of a nerd, and a passionate patient advocate who has lectured worldwide on all things optical.