Eye-Related Downloads and Apps for You
On this page we've created and compiled some useful resources for your eye health and safety. Just below are downloads, and below that are apps for the Android and for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. We'll be adding more from time to time, so please visit again.
Downloads
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| Allergy Capitals 2013. Here's a list of the top 100 worst places in the United States for springtime allergies. Do you live in one of these towns? Also, here's the list for fall 2012. Produced by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. More about eye allergies. | Amsler Grid. Download and print this chart you can use to test your vision for damage caused by retinal diseases. More about Amsler grid testing. |
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| Animal Eyes. This booklet teaches kids the basic concepts of vision and amazing facts about eyes in the animal kingdom. Produced by the Museum of Vision, the booklet can also serve as a curriculum guide for teachers. | The Big Picture: Eye Protection Is Always in Season. This booklet includes information on how UV light harms eye health and vision, a map of the most vulnerable U.S. cities, and helpful suggestions for choosing the right eyewear for UV protection. |
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| Eye Health Checklist for 2013. This handy checklist could help you and your family improve your vision and eye health this year. Also, read the expanded checklist for more information. | Eye-Healthy Desserts for Two. These recipe cards for desserts full of vitamins and antioxidants are from EyecareAmerica, which is the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. More about nutrition for eyes. |
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| Eye Openers: Exploring Optical Illusions. This booklet helps educators teach basic vision concepts, with activities and handouts for kids 11 and older. Produced by the Museum of Vision. | Eye Safety At-a-Glance. This guide to eye safety at work is great for employers and employees alike. Produced by The Vision Council with the American Society of Safety Engineers. More about eye safety. |
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| Finding Your Shades, Protecting Your Vision. This report has lots of great information on UV radiation, how to protect your eyes with sunglasses and results of a 2012 survey of U.S. adults about their knowledge and use of sunglasses. By The Vision Council. | Fireworks Annual Report for 2011. The Consumer Products Safety Commission has issued its annual report on fireworks-related eye injuries and other accidents that produced emergency room visits. Read the highlights, or download the full report. |
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| Guy's Guide to Readers. For gals too, this chart from The Vision Council can help you discover which reading power you need. (For accurate results, please print the chart before using.) More about reading glasses. | Hidden Dangers of UV: Keeping Your Eyes Safe. This report by The Vision Council presents information on eye problems caused by UV exposure. It also includes UV Index rankings of selected U.S. cities and territories. More about UV rays and your eyes. |
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| How Smoking Harms Your Vision. Our one-page info sheet describes how smoking is associated with many eye diseases and conditions and can even lead to blindness. Great handout for doctors and teachers, too. More about smoking and its effect on vision. | Keeping Your Eyes Safe in a Digital Age. The Vision Council released this report that explains the causes of digital eye strain and who is at risk, including kids who use computers and hand-held devices. More about computer eye strain. |
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| Living with Low Vision. The National Eye Institute/National Institutes of Health produced this large-print booklet for visually impaired people and their caregivers to learn about resources they can use to live life independently. A DVD is available, too. It contains videos featuring people with low vision. | Pantone Fashion Color Report - Spring 2013. Shopping for new sunglasses or eyeglass frames? This fashion color guide tells you which hues are in for men's and women's apparel, so you can make a good choice for new eyewear to match! |
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| Pink Eye Facts for Parents & Teachers. A one-page guide offering tips for preventing the spread of pink eye. Makes a great handout for teachers, school nurses and parents. More about pink eye. | Ski Goggles: Features To Look For. Here's a handy ski goggle features checklist that you can print and take with you when you buy your next pair. Also read our "12 Tips for Buying Ski Goggles" for more complete information. |
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| UV and Our Nation's Vision. This white paper by Prevent Blindness America and Transitions Optical summarizes a congressional briefing held on the dangers of UV light to our nation's vision. Among other things, it outlines the economic impact of eye diseases related to UV light exposure. | Vision Care. This supplement appeared in the British Columbia newspaper The Province and includes information on taking care of your eyes, plus low vision and blindness issues. |
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| Vision Plans - Benefits Comparison Worksheet. This handy chart helps you compare vision plans to decide which is best for you. More about choosing a vision insurance plan. | Vision Plans - Price Comparison Worksheet. Here's another chart to use when comparing vision plans, this time from a price point of view. |
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| Vision Problems in the U.S. The National Eye Institute and Prevent Blindness America have released alarming new statistics on cataracts, glaucoma, myopia, macular degeneration and other vision problems. Or use the searchable database for customized reports. | What Teens and Parents Need To Know About Contact Lenses. This guide answers questions of parents who are considering contact lenses for their kids. Sponsored by CooperVision, a contact lens manufacturer. |
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| Why Smoking Is Bad For Your Eyes: Infographic This infographic on smoking explains the harmful effects on eyes of both smokers and those exposed to second-hand smoke. Please share with the people you care about! | World Report on Disability. This report provides insight into low vision, blindness and other physical and mental disabilities. It is full of interesting facts and recommendations for policy reforms to provide disabled people everywhere with the necessities for a dignified and fulfilling life. More about low vision. |
Apps for the Android
Some of the following apps are free, while others cost a small amount. We haven't tried them all, so we recommend that you read the user reviews before you download. It's worthwhile to read through the iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad app list as well, since many apps for Apple devices have been rendered as Android apps as well.
AnyTimer Pill Reminder. This handy reminder for recurrent events can help you keep on top of your glaucoma medication doses, prescription eye drops for dry eyes and other medications you take throughout the day. You can use it to schedule other activities, too.
Click here to get AnyTimer Pill Reminder.
Big Digital Clock. The display is customizable, so you can change the font, color and background as desired.
Click here to get Big Digital Clock.
Braille. This features a Braille table and a simple quiz for reading and writing. It supports both English and Korean Brailles.
Eye Color Booth. This photography app lets you change the eye color in a photo, to create fun, crazy or artistic effects. You can even change the eye color to rainbow or just see what you'd look like with a new eye color. One of the fun features is the ability to color the eyes, then render the rest of the photo in black and white.
Click here to get Eye Color Booth.
EyeDROPS. This eye medication reminder includes several great features, such as the ability to take and view a photo of each bottle. It can be used for eye nutrition supplements, too. Also available for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch (see below).
Magnifying Glass. Just launch the program and point your phone to the object you are viewing, and this will magnify it. The application has a light as well, which activates only if your phone or tablet has a flash. It can also freeze-frame what you're viewing, so you don't have to keep holding the device steady while you read.
Click here to get Magnifying Glass.
Makeup. You can apply eye makeup, lipstick, foundation and blush in thousands of colors to your photo. And you can compare before-and-after photos side by side.
MedMinder. This is another medication reminder that works for eye drops, glaucoma drug doses and other medicines you're taking. It includes prescription refill reminders, too. Take the time to read the full description of this app, to avoid conflicts with other alarms you may have set on your smartphone.
Night Vision Camera. This app was designed to enhance your device camera's ability to take photos in the dark. It has adjustable light sensitivity and lets you control the flash as well. Note that final image quality will depend on your phone's camera.
Click here to get Night Vision Camera.
Optical Illusions. This is a collection of 98 different optical illusions, with a description of each one. You can also email them to friends and share them on Facebook.
Click here to get Optical Illusions.
Text to Braille. Enter your name or a sentence in the text field, and this app will show what it looks like in Braille. For people who are interested in the basics of Braille.
Click here to get Text to Braille.
US Hospital Finder. The best thing to do before you have an eye emergency or other health crisis is to discuss with your eye doctor and physician where you should go for emergency care. And if an emergency does occur, be sure to dial 911. Still, this app may help if you're traveling and don't know where the nearest hospitals are. It was created in conjunction with USHospitalFinder.com, which contains information on more than 6,000 U.S. hospitals. Note: This app requires that your Android device have GPS capability and will allow the app to access your current location. Your device must also be able to connect to the Internet.
Click here to get US Hospital Finder.
VisionSim. The Braille Institute developed this app to let people with healthy vision see what the world looks like to someone with macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma or cataracts. It uses the camera in the Android and applies special filters to the scene to simulate the symptoms of the disease. Also available for iPhone and iPad.
Apps for the iPhone, iPod Touch and/or iPad
Some of these apps are free, while others cost a small amount. They are generally available for the iPhone, but also may work for the iPod Touch or the iPad. We haven't tried them all, so we recommend that you read the user reviews before you download. Also check the Android app list above, because for every Android app it's likely that a similar one exists for Apple devices.
Baby Finger HD. For the iPad, this free app is for babies and toddlers. With every tap of a finger, colorful shapes and/or alphabetical letters appear, and future versions promise to include animals, household items and other images. (Caution: You may want to sit next to your child during Baby Finger sessions, to prevent possible damage to your expensive device in case playtime turns boisterous!)
Click here to get Baby Finger HD.
Big Clock HD. Need a really big clock? This displays the time on your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad. It also displays the date in the region format and language that your device is set to.
Click here to get Big Clock HD.
Big Clock (iOS). This is similar to Big Clock HD, but it also has a programmable timer-based alarm.
Click here to get Big Clock (iOS).
Braille Driller. You can learn the Braille alphabet with this app, which features proficiency tests that can be taken timed or untimed.
Click here to get Braille Driller.
Color De Blind. This app is for people who are color deficient, as well as those who would like to see how color deficient people see the world. It uses the graphics processor within the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad to run advanced color manipulation algorithms, to help people distinguish colors better.
Click here to get Color De Blind.
ColorBlind Helper. This app identifies colors for people with color deficiencies. You take a photo of an object or scene, then touch a point in the picture, and the app will display the color name of the point you touched. It will also show you the RGB and CMYK codes of the color, helpful for people who use PhotoShop or other graphics software.
Click here to get ColorBlind Helper.
The Eye Browser. This try-on app is a fun, convenient way to see how various styles of eyeglasses and sunglasses look on you. Just upload your photo and try on the eyewear. You can save your picks to a "wardrobe" and also locate them at an optical store or other retailer near you. The app is free and works for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.
Click here to get The Eye Browser.
EyeDROPS. An eye medication reminder that offers a database of all eye medications, plus the ability to take a photo of each bottle, it can be used for eye nutrition supplements, too. Also available for Android (see above).
Eye Makeup DIY. With this fun and creative app, you can drag various makeup styles onto your photograph to see how they look.
Click here to get Eye Makeup DIY.
EyeXam. The free EyeXam app for iPhone or iPod Touch lets you test your vision against the 20/20 benchmark and also includes tests for color perception, astigmatism and eye dominance.
Find Hospital. None of the find-a-hospital apps available right now are ideal, and this one is no exception. For example, the zip code search shows only hospitals that have the particular zip code that you enter. Using the city search will provide a longer list. And the "near me" button will find hospitals that are closest to your current location, which is what you'd want in an emergency anyway. While this app could be helpful, especially if you're out of town, be sure to call 911 first if you're having an eye emergency or other health crisis.
Click here to get Find Hospital.
iRead. This magnifier app was designed by an ophthalmologist and includes the ability to light your reading material, such as a menu in a dim restaurant.
iTint. This app measures how much visible light can pass through a transparent object. This is useful for sunglass shopping, because it helps you figure out whether a tint is too dark or too light for you. You can also make sure the tinted windows of your vehicle are legal in the state where you're located. The app includes U.S. state tint laws for automotive glass, for your reference.
LensFacts. This app helps you to remember when to discard your contact lenses and change your lens case. It also stores your eye doctor's contact details. Other features include Contacts 101 videos that provide information you should know about wearing contact lenses. By Opti-Free contact lens solution.
Lenstoss. This is a contact lens replacement scheduler. It does a lot, including reminding you when it's time to change your contact lenses, when to order more and when your next eye exam is. It can also email your eye doctor when you're ready to order lenses and provides links to contact lens and eye-related coupons.
LookTel Money Reader. For the blind or visually impaired, this app uses the iPhone's camera to recognize currency, telling you the denomination in real time, without the need for an Internet connection. It helps make sure you're paying the proper amount at the register and can also check that you receive the right amount of change. The U.S. dollar, euro, Canadian dollar, British pound and Australian dollar are supported. English, Spanish, French, Italian, German and several other languages are available for the voice-over feature.
Click here to get LookTel Money Reader.
MaculaTester. If you're using an Amsler grid to keep track of vision changes related to macular degeneration or other eye diseases, this interactive version goes a couple of steps further: It will record the areas of distortion that you see on the grid, so you can show them to your eye doctor. It also reminds you when it's time to take the test.
Click here to get MaculaTester.
Magnifying Glass With Light. This app uses the camera on the iPhone or iPad to magnify and light up fine print, menus in dim restaurants, a book you're reading in bed, etc.
Click here to get Magnifying Glass With Light.
MakeUp. This app provides a virtual makeover, letting you apply various shades of eye makeup, as well as foundation, blush and lipstick to your photograph. The before-and-after photo feature is fun.
Optical Illusions. Unlike the other optical illusion apps listed here, this wallpaper app doesn't provide descriptions. So you can figure out for yourself how each image is trying to fool your eyes. You can also send your favorites to your friends.
Click here to get Optical Illusions.
Optical Illusions 100+ (Book App). These illustrations use hidden images, apparent movement and other fun tricks. Each has a description so you can figure out how the image is fooling your eyes. You can also share the images on Facebook and Twitter.
Click here to get Optical Illusions 100+.
PackLists. This free app by The Vision Council helps you create a list of what you'll need for a trip, including clothing items and sunglasses. It will also tell you whether UV levels will be high or low at your destination city.
Pocket Braille. You can learn Braille with this, including the alphabet, numbers, contractions and one- and two-cell word signs.
Click here to get Pocket Braille.
Quit Smoking Now with Max Kirsten. Smoking is a risk factor for age-related macular degeneration, which can destroy your vision. And if you have dry eyes, then smoking will just irritate them more. Consider this app that adapts Max Kirsten's well-known smoking cessation program for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. There are many methods for quitting smoking, so read the description before you buy and decide if this one could help you.
Click here to get Quit Smoking Now with Max Kirsten.
RxmindMe Prescription Medicine Reminder and Pill Tracker. If you're using glaucoma drops, eye drops for dry eyes, blood pressure medicine or indeed any other medication, this reminder app is designed to help you remember every dose throughout the day and evening. It has lots of great features, including access to the entire FDA Drug Database.
VisionSim. Eye disease simulator for iPhone and iPad. See description above in Android section.
Visolve. This app is helpful for color deficiencies. It makes certain colors in a photo taken by the camera (or saved in the photo album) brighter or darker, based on your criteria. For example, if you have trouble distinguishing between red and green, Visolve can make the redder colors brighter. Or it will darken all colors except the color you specify. Other options include drawing different hatch patterns on certain colors and increasing saturation of all the colors in the image.
[Page updated May 2013]
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