There are several types of Magnifiers: hand-held, stand, illuminated stand, pocket, & illuminated pocket. In each category, these magnifiers can range in powers from 2.5X to 12X. It is important to know that lower powered (weaker) magnifiers are larger and wider. For higher powered (stronger) lenses, as the power increases, the width of the lens gets smaller and smaller, as does the field of view.  Note: In general there are 2 measurements: in powers (x) and in Diopters (+). Four Diopters equals 1 Power.

When using a hand held magnifying glass, you need to know that these lenses come in different powers or strengths. It is important to keep in mind that as the power of the lens gets stronger, the diameter of the lens gets smaller. Another way to say this is, the larger the lens, the weaker the power will be.

The lens will also have to be held closer to the paper as it gets stronger. Often when persons use very strong lenses, this distance from the paper can become frustrating because if the lens is moved slightly it may go out of focus. It is hard to maintain an equal distance from a piece of paper unless the entire paper is flat and you have a steady hand.

This is one of the reasons why a stand magnifier (a magnifier with little legs on it) is often chosen. The legs on the magnifier are preset with the correct focal distance from the paper and the person can easily move this stand magnifier across the paper to read. When using a hand-held magnifier, however, it is important that the person does not look through their bifocal lens to read. When using a stand magnifier, it is important that they look through their bifocal.

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