An inexpensive, commercially available optical device was tested on 10 patients with retinitis pigmentosa to determine its value as a field expander for scanning and as an aid to mobility. Visual acuity and visual fields were measured with and without the expander, and the patients' subjective responses were monitored by a questionnaire that was administered at regular intervals during a 2- to 4-week period between test sessions. Six of the 10 subjects considered the device helpful in at least 1 important visual task and planned to continue using it.