There are many reasons to want a digital tablet. They’re portable, fun to play with and easy to use. And, according to recent research conducted at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, digital tablets help people with poor vision read easier and quicker.

Better Contrast from Backlighting

The researchers studied people with moderate vision loss caused by conditions like macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy, as they used tablets. The team of scientists discovered that the back-lit screen helped subjects increase reading speeds. Back-lighting improves the contrast and helps users see text as separate and distinct from the background.

The head of the study, Dr. Daniel Roth, said, “Our findings show that at relatively low cost, digital tablets can improve the lives of people with vision loss and help them reconnect with the larger world.”

Adjusting Font Size

Most tablets have easy settings that can adjust the size of words and icons on almost any app or browser. The larger lettering allows those with low vision or other conditions to read easily.