Using PicsArt To Simulate Low Vision

One of the most frequently asked questions I received from teachers and special education staff in my high school was “what can you see?” I was the only student identified with low vision in my school, and also had a somewhat uncommon low vision diagnosis, so people couldn’t look at my diagnosis and get an idea of what my usable vision looks like. After struggling to find the words to describe what I can see, I edited a photo of The Beatles on my iPad using PicsArt to simulate how my double vision affects how I see information far away, and showed it to my Teacher of the Visually Impaired. This ended up being really helpful, and I started editing more photos I had saved that related to The Beatles to explain my vision loss, including lyrics sheets, posters, and similar items, which also helped me to learn how to explain my usable vision. Here are my tips for how to use PicsArt to simulate low vision and visual impairment, and how to edit photos to demonstrate usable vision.

Why use PicsArt?

I’ve been using PicsArt for over ten years now, as it is a free photo editing software with multiple features and editing capabilities for manipulating images. I prefer to use it on my iPad over computer-based photo editing applications, because I can align the screen under the bifocal lens in my glasses and more effectively use magnification tools to enlarge the different buttons on the screen. PicsArt does not require an account to use, but the free version of the app does have some ads, which can be turned off by turning off the device’s wifi connection.

Guidelines for creating low vision simulation images

I created low vision simulation images on my own in PicsArt, as I was familiar with the application and have a strong interest in graphic design, but recognize that this may not be the case for everyone. Even if the person with vision loss is not the one creating the image themselves, they should be involved in the design process to ensure that the images accurately reflect what they can see- this can be done as an activity with a parent or vision professional such as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI/TSVI).

When choosing an image to edit, I recommend taking a photo of familiar surroundings so that people are able to understand how someone sees in a particular environment- this is much more effective than editing random photos of The Beatles, which is what I originally did. Images should be as high resolution as possible before beginning edits, but do not necessarily have to be perfectly composed.

Some image ideas include:

Classroom board
Person’s face
Busy hallway
Playground/field
Piece of paper with text handwritten and/or typed

Sharing simulation images

I originally created the edited images of The Beatles to show to my TVI and classroom teachers, and they were also shared in an IEP meeting and with a few friends. Some examples of people who can benefit from visual impairment simulations include:

Child study teams
IEP/504 Plan meetings
Teachers at the beginning of the school year
Case managers
Disability Services staff
TVIs
Siblings of kids with low vision
Professors
Friends or classmates
Anyone curious about low vision- these images can be helpful for social media campaigns too

Simulating blurry vision in PicsArt

Blurry vision is one of the easiest conditions to simulate in PicsArt, and is often a major component of other low vision conditions. This is especially helpful when explaining or requesting preferential seating. Users can stack filters on top of each other, so it is possible to simulate both double and blurry vision in one image.

Open PicsArt
Click the plus sign at the bottom of the screen to open a new or recent project
Select the desired image from Camera Roll to open the Editor
Open the Effects menu, which has a FX icon
Select Blur
Choose a blur effect- I just used the standard blur effect
Select on the desired filter icon to adjust intensity
Select Apply
Export image by selecting the Download icon at the top of the screen, which will automatically save the image to the camera roll

Photo used- A whiteboard with some programming notes on it. Photo taken from a desk with camera 5 feet from subject.

Double vision

I have double vision as the result of a condition called accommodative esotropia. A lot of my teachers have had trouble understanding how double vision affects my ability to read or identify objects, so this has been one of the most helpful images to simulate.

Open PicsArt
Click the plus sign at the bottom of the screen to open a new or recent project
Select the desired image from Camera Roll to open the Editor
Open the Effects menu, which has a FX icon
Select Artistic
Select Mirror, and then tap on the icon again to open advanced settings
Choose whether the image should be shown horizontal or vertical
Choose mode 1 or mode 2- mode 1 shows distinct images, mode 2 blends them together
Adjust offset of the image with the slider
Select Apply to save changes
Export image by selecting the Download icon at the top of the screen, which will automatically save the image to the camera roll

Photo used- a cell phone that was shattered after falling on a bass clarinet. Photo taken on classroom desk with camera 18 inches above subject

Double vision/shadow effect

Some people don’t see double images side by side, but rather see images blend together, almost like a shadow effect, which is something I experience due to decompensated strabismus. Creating this type of simulation is a little different and works best with a photo that has one subject/focal point.

Open PicsArt
Click the plus sign at the bottom of the screen to open a new or recent project
Select the desired image from Camera Roll to open the Editor
Select Add Photo, which has an icon with a plus sign and a picture of a landscape
Add the same photo from the camera roll
Use the Free Crop/lasso tool to shade in the main area of the photo
Overlay the new image on top of the existing image
Use the Eraser tool located at the top of the screen to blend the two images together
Select Apply to save changes
Export image by selecting the Download icon at the top of the screen, which will automatically save the image to the camera roll

Photo used- a cell phone that was shattered after falling on a bass clarinet. Photo taken on classroom desk with camera 18 inches above subject

Decreased peripheral vision

Many eye conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa and glaucoma involved decreased peripheral vision, with the field of vision sometimes being as small as a coin. Sometimes the surrounding area may be completely black, other times it may be very blurry. For this reason, I am using a more colorful image than previous photos.

For colored blurred background

Open PicsArt
Click the plus sign at the bottom of the screen to open a new or recent project
Select the desired image from Camera Roll to open the Editor
Open Tools, which has a crop icon
Select Tilt Shift, which is a circle icon between two lines
Select Radial
Adjust focus area as needed
Select Apply
If needed, go back into tools and select Adjust
Select Brightness and adjust lighting as needed
Select Apply
Export image by selecting the Download icon at the top of the screen, which will automatically save the image to the camera roll

For black background

Open PicsArt
Click the plus sign at the bottom of the screen to open a new or recent project
Select the desired image from Camera Roll to open the Editor
Open Tools, which has a crop icon
Select Tilt Shift, which is a circle icon between two lines
Select Radial
Adjust focus area as needed
Select Apply
Open Effects, which has a FX icon
Open Artistic
Apply Neon filter
Use eraser at the top of the screen to clear unblurred area
Select Apply
Export image by selecting the Download icon at the top of the screen, which will automatically save the image to the camera roll

Photo used- Me holding a parrot on my arm. Photo taken by person standing approximately 3 feet away from subject.

Photosensitivity/Photophobia

I experience photophobia, which is a sensitivity to bright light, and being in a bright environment can make it difficult for me to identify objects or read text. This also affects many people with albinism and other eye conditions that affect pigment.

Open PicsArt
Click the plus sign at the bottom of the screen to open a new or recent project
Select the desired image from Camera Roll to open the Editor
Open the Effects menu, which has a FX icon
Select Colors
Select Colorize
Adjust color hue and fade/intensity as needed
To make the brightness more intense, select Screen from the filter menu
Select Apply
Export image by selecting the Download icon at the top of the screen, which will automatically save the image to the camera roll

Photo used- A piece of paper with text. Photo taken on classroom desk with camera 12 inches above subject

More ideas for how to use PicsArt to simulate low vision

To add floaters to an image, select the Sparks filter in the FX section of the Effects menu
Looking to simulate visual static? My favorite way to show this has been with the Spotted filter at the smallest size in the Colors section of the Effects menu
Cartoonizer in the Artistic section is another filter that can help to show reduced detail/clarity in images- Poster is also a good filter for this
When stacking multiple filters, make sure to select Apply to save changes and ensure that each filter is applied

Using PicsArt To Simulate Low Vision

Why use PicsArt?

Related links

Guidelines for creating low vision simulation images

Related links

Sharing simulation images

Related links

Simulating blurry vision in PicsArt

Related links

Double vision

Double vision/shadow effect

Related links

Decreased peripheral vision

For colored blurred background

For black background

Photosensitivity/Photophobia

Related links

More ideas for how to use PicsArt to simulate low vision

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