Task
(or Directed) Lighting
Daylight
and general room lighting may not always be sufficient for what you
have to do, especially if the work at hand requires precision—such
as sewing, mechanical repair, or chopping vegetables. Most people
with vision loss find that task—or directed—lighting to be
the most useful form of light.
Furthermore, positioning of a light source is critical when carrying out tasks. For suggestions on how to set up task lighting most effectively, watch the following videos:
 Positioning of a Light Source Video
Overview of Inverse Square Law of Lighting Video
Here's
a quick guide to your task lighting options. The types of adjustable and task lights mentioned in this section can be obtained from a variety of sources (including locally at office supply or hardware stores), and a list of lighting products can be found in AFB's Product Database.
Adjustable
Lighting
Adjustable
task lamps are equipped with an adjustable arm and flexible head that
allow you to point light where you need it. They can be floor or
desk standing or wall mounted.
When
using adjustable lamps, keep in mind:
- The
bulb should be recessed into the shade to reduce glare and to avoid
accidental burns.
- When
using an adjustable lamp, position the shade below eye level with
the light directed onto whatever you're working with.
- The
light should shine onto the task from a 45 degree angle so that excess
light shines away from your eyes.
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Focusing an adjustable lamp directly on a task helps you see what you're doing better.
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- The
lamp can be placed as close as 6 inches (15 cm) away from the task.
Reposition the lamp if the light is too bright or glare is
reflecting into your eyes.
- To
be safe, always use adjustable task lamps in conjunction with
general room lighting. When you move away from the task area you
still need to be able to see where you are going.
Use of Adjustable Lighting Video
Be
sure to assess your visual comfort with each type of light bulb
before you buy. Many people with low vision prefer a full spectrum fluorescent desk lamp since it is a cool light, or a desk lamp
that's wired for a 60 or 100 watt incandescent
full spectrum light bulb.
Remember:
- Magnifiers
can be used to amplify task lighting when you need to see fine
detail. When using a lamp with a hand or stand magnifier, be sure to place
the lamp so that the light is shining underneath the magnifying
lens. This prevents light from shining onto the lens and causing
painful glare.
Both hand and stand magnifiers can be purchased through specialty product sources, though higher magnification is generally not available to the public without a prescription. It is recommended that you consider having a low vision exam to determine what type of magnification will help you perform specific tasks, and if needed, to obtain higher magnification.
- People
with some eye conditions, such as retinitis pigmentosa, experience night blindness and need
additional, higher powered lighting. You'll find more tips on what
to do in this situation in the AccessWorld® article,
Lighting Up Your Night Life,
by Bryan Gerritsen.
Portable
Lighting
Portable
lighting (a.k.a., your trusty flashlight) can be very useful for
looking inside cupboards and closets, navigating dimly lit areas or
finding keyholes in the middle of the night. Small pocket
flashlights are also great for nights out on the town, providing an
effective, unobtrusive means for reading restaurant menus and theater
playbills. Keep one flashlight in the kitchen and one in your pocket
or handbag at all times.
Another
portable option is hands-free lighting, which can be mounted on a
headband like a miner's lamps. Take a look around any bingo hall and
you'll see several players with lit headbands. This is also an
excellent option for card players (your hands are free to deal) and
for music enthusiasts (whether you play an instrument or sing in your
church choir). Clamp-on book lights provide hands-free lighting for reading.
Portable
Lighting Buyer's Guide:
- LED
or halogen bulbs give a bright, white light but the beam of light
can be quite narrow. Fluorescent portable lights are also available,
but may not produce enough light for your needs.
- Try
not to get a light that is too heavy to hold in one hand for
extended lengths of time.
- Ordinary
bulbs can give a reflection of the filament, which reduces
illumination.
- Battery
changes should be quick and easy. Avoid lights that require a
screwdriver to open the battery holder.
- Always
try out the light before you buy to make sure that you can use it
without problems.
Recessed
Lighting
Recessed
lighting is one of the best ways you can modify your environment for
living with vision loss. Recessed lights are cylindrical cans that
are inserted into the ceilings (usually by a licensed electrician)
and can be placed strategically to illuminate hallways, kitchens,
bedrooms and study rooms. Recessed lights can use incandescent flood
or spot bulbs. These are dimmable and provide you with a high degree
of flexibility. An 85-watt incandescent flood bulb in a recessed
light offers excellent ambient light while the use of halogen spot
bulbs can illuminate specific work areas such as desks, stoves, and
eating areas without causing glare. Recessed lights are available in
a large variety of sizes and styles.
Track
Lighting
Nearly
as effective as the recessed option—and much more affordable—is
track lighting. Track lighting consists of a ceiling-mounted rail or
track fitted with a series of small, adjustable light fixtures. The
lights can be pointed in any direction and are very effective at
illuminating desks, dining areas, and other work areas. Track lights
can use both incandescent and low-voltage halogen bulbs. On the
whole, track lighting fixtures tend to produce a narrower beam than
recessed ones. However, since track bulbs use less energy, you can
add more lights where the need is greatest.
Remember:
- When
choosing light fixtures, halogen and incandescent spot lights are
excellent for spot lighting while fluorescent, incandescent flood
lamps and conventional incandescent light bulbs are best for ambient
illumination. However, please note that halogen lights are very hot,
can be dangerous, and may not be allowed in many settings such as
assisted living facilities.
Information
for this article was adapted from "Use
of Lighting," from Vision Australia, and "Lighting
and Vision," from The Dr.
Bill Takeshita Foundation.
For
More Information:
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Vision loss doesn't have to work against you.
