Magnifiers & More

The only retail store of its kind in Northeast Ohio, Magnifiers & More in Mentor specializes in the latest technology, tools and products to help the visually impaired get more out of life.

Founder Debbie Kogler opened the store in 2002. Over the years she’s grown the staff to include technicians who consult with people to assess their needs and connect them to the latest products. Visitors to the store will find hand-held magnifiers, video magnifiers, talking watches, CCTV reading machines, reading lamps, Braille equipment, glare control glasses and items help with activities of daily living. They’ll also enjoy a visit with Jeffrey, who is CFO (canine fun officer). This sweet-natured golden retriever is a trained Leader Dog for the Blind and adept at working with the visually impaired.

“As our official greeter, Jeffrey helps comfort our shoppers and make them feel welcome,” says Debbie. “We meet with people, often parents and their children, at our large round table. Being introduced to new technology can be scary, so we take the time to demonstrate everything and make sure they understand how to use it in a hands-on way.” 

Magnifiers & More is the place to go when someone has been diagnosed with macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts or blindness and asks themself, now what?

How it All Began

Debbie has been in the eyecare field for 40 years. Her inspiration was her beloved grandmother’s diagnosis of macular degeneration.

“Her doctor told her to get used to sitting on the couch and listening to television,” she says. “I researched low vision aids and found help for children and adults with this disease was not available. A lot of the products we carry now weren’t available back then and they would have helped her.” 

Her ongoing work as an advocate for visually impaired people as well as the blind has led her to become an educator for those living with these disabilities as well as their families. Debbie has earned a reputation as an expert in the field. She once demonstrated OrCam glasses with a client on the Steve Harvey show. These next-level glasses are fitted with smart cameras to detect and communicate the visual world—detecting the faces of loved ones, reading text—as a means of fostering independent living.

“We work with clients who are ages 3 to 103,” she says. “I go into the local schools for assessments.”

Like Pairs of Shoes

Debbie likens the broad array of products they offer to shoes.

“We own different shoes for different tasks,” she explains. “Before we recommend which products would serve someone best, we ask a lot of questions about their ADLs, or activities of daily living. No two customers are alike, and we match the solution to the person’s situation.”

For instance, they have equipment that attaches to existing iPads, and large-sized keyboards that connect to your computer.

“The quality of video magnification has vastly improved,” she says. “Now it can provide better contrast, higher magnification and more options for different diseases and needs.”

With the holidays around the corner, Debbie says these helpful products make thoughtful gifts for the visually impaired person on your list. The top gift sellers are large-print calendars, large-print playing cards and talking watches.

Magnifiers & More is located at 7775 Mentor Avenue, in Mentor. Visit MagnifiersAndMore.net or call 440-946-3363 for more information. The store offers Care Credit financing. Stop in anytime to shop or make an appointment for a consultation.