Question about the New Kindles.

[cvkemp]

I have a question for the ones that may know, I am in the fairly early stage of cataracts and I have times that the light really makes it hard for me to read.
I had the K4 until it died then I went to the Nexus 7 with the Kindle app. But know I am starting to have issues focusing to read with the Nexus I was wanting to ask here which would be best the Basic Kindle or a Kindle PW and if the PW which one would be the best. I am retired and I read almost anytime day or night before bed. I also have a wonderful deck that we built this year so reading on the deck would be great, something I cannot do with the Nexus.
I will Thank you so much in advance for any help.

[pidgeon92]

If I were to choose between a basic Kindle, and a Paperwhite, I'd definitely go with the Paperwhite. You're going to need a light at some point, may as well go with one that is built-in. The Kindle is front-lit, vs. backlit like the Nexus 7.

[WT Sharpe]

I don't know if you live by a Best Buy, but if you do they sell Kindles in the store. It might be worth your while to go to a physical store such as the one I just mentioned and hold one in your hands and see for yourself how easy or difficult it is to read given your glaucoma. There are probably other stores that sell Kindles, but I know for sure that Best Buys do, and I'm sure other members could name other stores as well. Of course, I don't know how the experience of examining one in the store would compare to reading for an hour at home, but it might give you an idea, anyway.

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by pidgeon92

If I were to choose between a basic Kindle, and a Paperwhite, I'd definitely go with the Paperwhite. You're going to need a light at some point, may as well go with one that is built-in. The Kindle is front-lit, vs. backlit like the Nexus 7.

Good point, and the light is adjustable as well.

[crane3]

First thing is to check with your doctor &/or health-plan; I believe that cataract surgery is covered by medicare & the "needed" corrective lens is also covered (use it only after both eyes had surgery, since it is a only one for lifetime "benefit").

Having said that, after cataract surgery, the corrective/reading glasses will work quite well for reading on a Nexus 7 (2013) which I do; the Nexus 7's 1920x1080 is better than the 1080x800 on some tablets even if they are also very readable with reading glasses.

I had given up on the mass paperbacks but with reading glasses, even they were easily readable. My Nook 1st gen was OK but the Nexus 7 is my preference & have "decommissioned" the Nook 1st gen.

I don't use the Kindle app on the Nexus 7 so don't know what adjustments or accommodations are available (most likely very limited like on the Kindle Fire HDX). Aldiko, Moon Reader & Mantano are able to have different lighting, fonts & backgrounds to enhance the legibility for different environments; my subjective observations.

[cvkemp]

Thank you everyone I will be going to see the VA eye clinic in January. The last check up I was told that I was a long way from needing surgery, But I am getting to the point that I have times that I really can not focus to read. I did go this morning to Best Buy and was not happy with the Kindle that I can now afford. The basic and the PW without the auto adjustments just did not work for me. I try yesterday using moon reader pro and using the black background and with print and was able to read much better.
For now I am going to hold on to my money.

[pdurrant]

I don't know how old you are, but if you're in your mid-40s or later, the problem you have focussing for reading might not be due to your cataracts, but just due to normal age-related presbyopia. Perhaps some cheap off-the-shelf reading glasses would help?

[cvkemp]

I am 67 and I have been wear glasses since I was 6 years old, and been wearing progressive lenses since I was about 40. I also have glasses that are maybe 6 months old. No I have noticed the change lately with issues being able to focus mostly with my left eye and it is the one that the cataract is the most progressive.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by cvkemp

I am 67 and I have been wear glasses since I was 6 years old, and been wearing progressive lenses since I was about 40. I also have glasses that are maybe 6 months old. No I have noticed the change lately with issues being able to focus mostly with my left eye and it is the one that the cataract is the most progressive.

Oh. In that case it does sound like the cataract has changed your prescription, which is why you're having trouble focusing.

I learned just a week or two ago that there are now replacement lenses for use in cataract surgery that can correct for any long/short sightedness and some astigmatism, and that might also give back some amount of accommodation.

I have no idea what your insurance will cover, but it might be worth enquiring about them at your next visit.

[Barbara1955]

Originally Posted by cvkemp

Thank you everyone I will be going to see the VA eye clinic in January. The last check up I was told that I was a long way from needing surgery, But I am getting to the point that I have times that I really can not focus to read. I did go this morning to Best Buy and was not happy with the Kindle that I can now afford. The basic and the PW without the auto adjustments just did not work for me. I try yesterday using moon reader pro and using the black background and with print and was able to read much better.
For now I am going to hold on to my money.

Go For the Fire 6" $99 its more than just a reader so on good days u can do other things BUT the best thing is it Has the White on Black adjustments when you read! Where the eInk readers don't!

[JMikeD]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Oh. In that case it does sound like the cataract has changed your prescription, which is why you're having trouble focusing.

I learned just a week or two ago that there are now replacement lenses for use in cataract surgery that can correct for any long/short sightedness and some astigmatism, and that might also give back some amount of accommodation.

I have no idea what your insurance will cover, but it might be worth enquiring about them at your next visit.

I just had this procedure done several months ago, lenses in both eyes replaced (one in August, one in October). I now have 20/20 vision in one eye, and 20/25 in the other. Before surgery I couldn't pass the eye test to renew my driver's license, and a new prescription would not help at all.

Medicare will cover most of the cost of the standard lenses, but the patient has to cover the addition cost of the ones that correct astigmatism. This is the way I went. I'm 71 and have worn glasses since I was 14. I no longer have to wear glasses for driving, bicycling, or watching TV as I opted for far-sightedness correction. I wear inexpensive reading glasses.

I have used both my Nexus 7 and an eInk Kindle (and Kobo). It's just my opinion, but I prefer the eInk device. I find it easier on the eyes than even a reversed background on LCD screens. And the battery charges last much, much longer.

I'd definitely go with the Paperwhite or the new Voyage if I were getting a new device. I have an old Kindle Keyboard reader right now, but will likely be getting a Voyage in 4-5 months.

That said, the Nexus 7 with Moon Reader is a great combination. Moon Reader has sufficient adjustments to brightness, text, and backgrounds that it's pretty easy to find a combination that is pretty comfortable to use for reading.

[cvkemp]

I have moon reader pro and I have switched to the blue background and the white text and it is working great for me at this time. I am going to wait to see what I find out about my eyes before making any purchases. I love the Nexus 7 2013, and I do not wish to have to care around or have anymore devices that possible.
The Nexus 7 with android 5 and the latest updated moon reader app is great. And yes being able to adjust the lighting down low really helps.

[crane3]

Originally Posted by cvkemp

I have moon reader pro and I have switched to the blue background and the white text and it is working great for me at this time. I am going to wait to see what I find out about my eyes before making any purchases. I love the Nexus 7 2013, and I do not wish to have to care around or have anymore devices that possible.
The Nexus 7 with android 5 and the latest updated moon reader app is great. And yes being able to adjust the lighting down low really helps.

You might even try the Day 1 on the theme selection. It is black text on what looks like old parchment paper/vellum; there will be some "specks" on it but don't try to clean the screen to get rid of it!https://www2.mobileread.com/i/smilies/smile.gif

[Clawdia]

Originally Posted by JMikeD

I just had this procedure done several months ago, lenses in both eyes replaced (one in August, one in October). I now have 20/20 vision in one eye, and 20/25 in the other. Before surgery I couldn't pass the eye test to renew my driver's license, and a new prescription would not help at all.

Medicare will cover most of the cost of the standard lenses, but the patient has to cover the addition cost of the ones that correct astigmatism. This is the way I went. I'm 71 and have worn glasses since I was 14. I no longer have to wear glasses for driving, bicycling, or watching TV as I opted for far-sightedness correction. I wear inexpensive reading glasses.

Count your blessings! Those undergoing cataract surgery can't always count on getting such excellent results as you did. In my early 60s, year before last, I too had bilateral cataract surgery and opted to pay for the toric lenses that correct for astigmatism as well as having my distance vision corrected - that's what is used for driving, etc. I was told I'd probably need only cheap reading glasses.

Instead, due to complications and severe dry eyes, I was unable to achieve good distance vision without corrective lenses even post-op, and even after paying the additional $1800 for the toric lenses. It was 4 months before I was able to get glasses at all, and if it hadn't been for being able to enlarge the font on a Kindle I'd not have been able to read at all during that time. Even now, after a change in glasses prescription (and another $500), I have about 20/30 vision in one eye and 20/60 vision in the other - and another appt. with my eye doc next week.

If the OP is contemplating surgery in the near future, I'd suggest waiting to decide on a reading device until determing what vision needs are post-op, or even a few months after that, when both eyes have settled down after the surgeries.