How the VES Sport-II Helped Julius Experience Greater Independence
For Julius Frierson, living with low vision has been a lifelong experience. Considered legally blind or visually impaired since he was nine months old, Julius grew up knowing that many everyday activities might be more difficult or potentially unavailable to him.
That changed when he discovered Ocutech and was introduced to the VES Sport-II.
The first time Julius looked through the device, he immediately noticed a dramatic improvement in what he could see. During his vision assessment, he was able to focus on details of the eye chart that had previously been far beyond his visual reach.
“I was able to actually see the third from the bottom of the eye chart,” Julius recalled. “For me, that was unheard of, and that is a drastic difference.”
His experience demonstrates how the right low vision aid, prescribed and fitted according to an individual’s needs, can improve more than visual clarity. It can open doors to greater mobility, participation, confidence, and independence.
Finding a New Way to Use His Remaining Vision
Low vision cannot always be corrected with conventional eyeglasses, contact lenses, medication, or surgery. However, this does not necessarily mean people must give up the activities that matter to them.
Specialized optical systems can help individuals use their remaining vision more effectively. A low vision optometrist can evaluate the patient’s functional needs, demonstrate appropriate devices, and determine which magnification level and design may provide the greatest benefit.
For Julius, the difference was apparent as soon as he tried an Ocutech device.
“Ever since I put them on and was able to just focus, I was able to actually see,” he said.
Julius now uses his glasses every day. Instead of being limited to occasional tasks, the device has become an important part of how he navigates and experiences the world around him.
What Is the VES Sport-II?
The VES Sport-II is a Keplerian bioptic telescope designed for people with moderate vision loss. The telescope is positioned above the wearer’s regular line of sight, allowing them to primarily view their surroundings through their standard prescription lenses.
When magnification is needed, the wearer briefly tilts their head to look through the telescope. They can then return to their regular vision by looking beneath it. This design can make a bioptic system practical for spotting distant details while maintaining broader environmental awareness.
The VES Sport-II is available in 4x, 5x, and 6x magnification powers. Its parallax-corrected optics are designed to provide bright, clear images and wide fields of view. It can also focus at a range of distances, including as close as nine inches depending on the selected power and prescription.
Compared with the original VES Sport system, the Sport-II is 20% smaller and 10% lighter. Its ergonomic, adjustable design is intended to support comfortable use throughout the day.
Other features include:
- Wide fields of view across its available magnification powers
Manual focusing for distance and near activities - Prescription correction options for a variety of refractive needs
- Lightweight, adjustable bridge mounting
- Standard black and silver finishes, along with custom colour options
- Optional filter caps and sun filters
- A focus-lock setscrew option where nonfocusable telescopes are required
Because every person’s vision and functional goals are different, the appropriate telescope power, positioning, prescription, and training should be determined with a qualified low vision professional.
Achieving a Goal Julius Was Told Was Impossible
One of the most meaningful outcomes for Julius was earning his driver’s license.
“If it wasn’t for Ocutech, I wouldn’t have gotten my license,” he explained. “That was something that they said I could never get.”
Bioptic driving regulations and licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction. Candidates must meet the applicable visual, medical, training, and road-testing standards in their state or region. A bioptic device does not automatically qualify someone to drive.
For eligible individuals who complete the required evaluation and training, however, a bioptic telescope may help them spot important distant details such as road signs, traffic signals, and other visual information.
Julius describes being able to get into his car and travel safely as a major turning point in his life.
“The biggest thing that they’ve given me is my independence,” he said. “I finally have a real sense of independence as far as getting in my car [and] getting somewhere safely.”
Driving gave Julius more than transportation. It provided the freedom to make plans, reach destinations, and participate in life without always relying on someone else to take him there.
Seeing the Moments He Once Missed
The impact of Julius’s VES Sport-II extends well beyond driving. It has also helped him participate more fully in social experiences with friends.
Before receiving his bioptic glasses, Julius might sit in a restaurant while a game played on television but be unable to see the score. At concerts and parades, friends would point out something happening at a distance, only to remember that Julius probably could not see it.
Although he and his friends could joke about those moments, they also served as reminders of what his vision prevented him from experiencing.
With his VES Sport-II, the conversation has changed.
“I can actually see the score,” Julius said. “I can actually enjoy it with them instead of just pretending to watch it.”
When his friends ask whether he saw something at a concert, parade, or other event, he can now answer confidently: “Yeah, I saw it.”
These moments may appear small, but they represent an important part of functional vision. Seeing a scoreboard, following distant action, recognizing an object, or sharing a visual experience with friends can help someone feel more engaged and connected.
More Than Magnification
The purpose of Ocutech low vision technology is not simply to make objects appear larger. It is to help people use their vision in ways that support their personal goals.
For one person, that may mean recognizing faces. For another, it may mean reading signs, watching television, attending sporting events, succeeding in a classroom, or travelling more confidently. For Julius, the VES Sport-II has supported many of these experiences while giving him something especially valuable: a stronger sense of control over his own life.
“I can see everything now,” he said. “I cannot live without these glasses.”
His story reflects the difference that personalized low vision care can make. While no device can eliminate an underlying visual impairment, the right optical system may help a person access details, activities, and opportunities that previously seemed out of reach.
Discover What May Be Possible With a Low Vision Evaluation
People with visual impairment are sometimes told there is nothing more that can be done when medical treatment or conventional eyewear cannot restore their sight. Low vision rehabilitation offers another path—one focused on maximizing usable vision and supporting meaningful everyday goals.
A comprehensive evaluation with a low vision specialist can help determine whether a bioptic system such as the VES Sport-II may be appropriate. The process may include assessing visual acuity, discussing the activities the patient would like to perform, testing different magnification powers, and providing guidance on using the device safely and effectively.
For Julius, finding the right technology helped transform what he believed was possible.
His VES Sport-II did more than help him see distant details. It helped him obtain his license, participate more fully with friends, travel independently, and experience moments he once expected to miss.
Most importantly, it helped him move through life on his own terms.