1. Seeing AI

Seeing AI has a learning curve, but once you master it, you’ll never turn back! It can recognize and speak text detected by your smartphone or tablet camera via artificial intelligence (AI), whether it be a short text message or an entire web page.

One of its most notable features is its ability to read barcodes. Seeing AI provides the product name, nutrition labeling, cooking instructions, and more. A recent update includes several new features, such as the following:

• A currency reader that recognizes US and Canadian currency
• A color monitor that can name an item’s color situated within the camera lens
• A handwriting recognizer that can read cursive

Unfortunately, the Seeing AI app is only available on iOS devices, but it’s free to download and use.

2. EyeDropAlarm

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommended EyeDropAlarm as the “Top App for Patients” during a recent Annual Meeting. It’s also featured in many professional ophthalmology publications.

EyeDropAlarm can indicate your drops’ bottle cap color (each type of eye drop has a specific cap color) and right or left eye to help ensure you take your medication as prescribed. It also contains built-in algorithms that help patients with prescriptions requiring different dosages throughout the day. Those with glaucoma, post-surgical patients, and individuals with corneal ulcers or uveitis can significantly benefit from EyeDropAlarm.

It’s available for Android and iOS users and free of charge!

3. Be My Eyes

Be My Eyes connects visually impaired people with sighted volunteers who assist via live video calls. Volunteers talk with the callers, walking them through what their smartphone or tablet camera sees. It’s beneficial for checking expiration dates, distinguishing between colors, reading instructions, or identifying small product labels.

Be My Eyes is available in 180 languages for Android and iOS devices. Downloading and using the app is free, but it relies on volunteers with good vision to continue the service.

4. Brighter and Bigger

Brighter and Bigger uses your camera’s light and adjustable magnification to help you read the fine print or focus on nearby objects. It’s helpful for those suffering from presbyopia or eye illnesses. This app is also available for Android and iOS and is free to download.

Additionally, the Brighter and Bigger developers created other useful apps to assist those who are color blind.

5. Hoopla

If you enjoy and miss reading, many apps can read books to you.

Some apps charge for books, but most public libraries offer free audiobooks for borrowing. Although you’ll have to contact your local library to see which app they use, a popular option is Hoopla. With Hoopla, you can instantly borrow and stream titles through your desktop computer or a mobile app.

If you use the mobile app, you can also download titles to your device for offline playback later if Wi-Fi isn’t available. Hoopla automatically returns and removes audiobooks from your device at the end of the lending period. It’s available for Android and iOS devices, as well as several others like Roku and FireTV.

It’s free to download and use!

Built-In Eye Apps & Settings

It’s important to note that smartphones and tablets include several Settings to help those with vision problems. Below are some of the most beneficial built-in features:

• Increasing font size
• Using high contrast
• VoiceOver and Siri for iOS users
• TalkBack and Google Assistant for Android users

Which Eye Apps Help You? We’d Love to Know!

As artificial intelligence and virtual reality continue to develop, we can expect to see many advances in applications. If you have favorite eye apps that help with vision or medication needs that aren’t on this list, we’d love to hear from you!

SureVision Eye Centers is highly regarded across the United States. We’ve helped thousands of patients with vision problems, and the community trusts us to provide the best eye treatment possible. With two locations in Creve Coeur, MO, and Alton, IL, we’re here to serve you – even in harsh weather conditions!

Schedule an appointment with us today for excellent care. We look forward to assisting you and learning about your favorite eye apps!