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Lighting

One of the most important home changes for those with low vision is improving lighting. A good light can enhance contrast and improve the eye’s ability to discern print or objects. Ideally, a good light will also help to control concerns of glare. For many with low vision, it is a fine balance between sufficient light and too much light inducing glare problems.

The first part of this involves the lamp itself. A gooseneck lamp with flexible neck works the best. The neck allows you to position the light where you need it most. When reading or doing any near work, the light should be pointing over the shoulder on the same side as your better seeing eye.

It is important to have a shield on the light, which prevents light from scattering in all directions. This helps focus all the light onto the page while preventing stray light from scattering and causing glare problems. Regular light shades are not sufficient for this, you need a solid shade that covers all sides of the light bulb except that area on the end, directed onto your work.

Different kinds of light bulbs also have very different characteristics.

Natural light bulbs mimic the light of the sun. Although more expensive than an incandescent bulb, the light is very bright and soothing.

Pink light bulbs cost about the same as a regular incandescent bulb. The pink coating on the outside of the glass filters out blue light. It is blue light that most often scatters and causes glare. Many with low vision prefer pink light bulbs. The pink light bulb has a very slight pink hue to the bulb itself, but when turned on it does not appear pink in any way, though you can tell that the light is softer in appearance. Many without low vision prefer the softer appearance of a pink bulb.

Fluorescent lights often cause more harm than good. These lights are emit rays concentrated in the blue end of the spectrum, which contributes to glare complaints. The flicker of some fluorescent bulbs is also very distracting to those with low vision.

Regardless of the cause of low vision, good lighting makes all the difference in visual function.

J. Hensil