It’s surprising to a lot of people that something as basic as adequate lighting can be so effective at helping those with vision loss to continue their everyday activities with little or no assistance. Reading, writing, cooking, housework, gardening—your ability to perform all of these and a great many other tasks will greatly benefit by making appropriate lighting choices.
Lighting
There are four basic types of lighting scenarios to consider:
As you evaluate the different types and sources of light within your home, it’s also important to check for glare.
Glare is reflected or uncontrolled light that shines directly into your eyes. Although it is very bright, the light produced by glare does not usually help you see more clearly; instead, it can interfere with your visual comfort, physical safety, and independent performance of everyday activities.
Better Lighting for Better Sight
The video series Better Lighting for Better Sight contains information about critical factors that can enhance vision, including different types of lighting, positioning of lights, contrast sensitivity, and control of glare.
Bryan Gerritsen, M.A., CLVT, a certified low vision therapist, lighting specialist, and recognized leader in the area of low vision, is featured in the videos. The videos provide suggestions that may be helpful to professionals and family members in helping the person with vision loss choose the right light for the task.