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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.
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, 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. This series is available for purchase through AFB Press.
People with vision loss generally need two to
three times more light than most other people. Achieving this is
more complicated than simply adding extra light sources or
stockpiling high-wattage bulbs. Some eye conditions, cataracts
for example,
actually increase your sensitivity to light, making bright, harsh
lighting absolutely the wrong choice. The resulting glare can be
quite painful.
The
challenge is twofold: 1) to produce enough light to maximize vision
without causing painful glare, and 2) to achieve lighting that can be
easily adjusted according to your specific and changing needs.
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Vision loss doesn't have to work against you.
