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For persons with macular degeneration, there may not be any distant prescription glasses or contact lenses that would improve vision acuity. So, how can a person improve their distance viewing? Either by getting closer to the objects they want to see, or by using some type of telescopic lens. There are many varieties of telescope lenses available through low vision centers and low vision catalogs, but if you have never used a telescope before there are some things you should keep in mind. Telescopes also come in different powers or strengths, for instance many persons may start at 3x or 4x (referred to as 3 power or 4 power). 6x, 8x, and 10x powers are also available. 
A telescope by its characteristics is always a two-lens system. That is the lens that you look through is the lens closest to your eye, the second lens is the lens that is furthest from your eye, or "sticking out" near the front of the telescope. As the telescope power or strength gets stronger, the area or field of view gets smaller. So, with stronger lenses smaller details can be seen, yet the trade off is a smaller viewing area. This is a very important rule when considering using a telescope because again like a magnifying glass, he or she may be frustrated at only seeing a small area at one time and reject using a telescope.
There are so many varieties of telescopes in the low vision market today. Some of them are hand-held telescopes that are quite small, maybe 1 1/2 inches to 2 inches long, and can be carried in a pocket or purse or worn around your neck on a strap like a whistle. Some of these type of hand-held telescopes can also be mounted into a pair of glasses so that the person, with help from a professional, can utilize the scope in their best seeing eye (that means they would only use the telescope for one eye) and have the scope drilled through the lens of the glasses so that the telescope does not have to be held in the hand, but can be worn on a pair of glasses for TV viewing or other types of viewing for a longer period of time. There are also other companies who make monoculars or binoculars (one or two eyed telescopes) that you can wear like a pair of glasses for viewing distant objects. Probably the greatest request for these type of systems is for watching TV; however, some persons are frustrated by the small field of view and often cannot see the entire TV screen at one time when using this type of telescope, especially in the stronger powers. Some use telescopes very well however and with proper training and guidance, it can be a very important tool in your low vision toolbox. Other uses for telescopes include seeing the blackboard in school, the minister's face at church, viewing a movie or slides, seeing a street sign or bus sign, the clock on the wall, and yes there are special telescopes for driving! These lenses called bioptic telescopes are mounted in a pair of glasses especially made for this purpose and are allowed in several states in the U.S. Source: Foundation for Fighting Blindness: all rights reserved
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