Low Vision: Let's Talk Lighting

You're making yourself a little afternoon snack, sliced apples and cheese. You pick up the apple and start slicing a pair. That's right. A dimly lit room can make things a little tricky for those of us with low vision, but it doesn't have to be that way. Good lighting can make a lot of things a lot easier to see and do, and choosing the best type of lighting and placement can make all the difference.

So let's talk first about area lighting, things like ceiling, table and floor lamps. Adding this type of lighting is a great way to brighten up any area you're in or just moving through. Well placed, these lights can help you distinguish furniture and objects in the room from the walls and the doorways. If you've got a dark corner in a room like a bedroom, a lamp placed in that corner will keep the room brighter and more evenly lit. You can also light up hallways to avoid the eye strain and difficulty of adjusting from dim to brightly lit areas.

Now let's talk about task lighting, things that will make reading, sewing, or even cutting vegetables easier. Using white or light colored shades brighten an area better than dark colored shades. Some floor lamps have special reading lamps attached. Desk or floor lamps with adjustable arms make it easier to position the light to shine directly on your work area or object. Just make sure to position it below eye level so excess light shines away from your eyes. You can also use portable lights in places like closets or near the stairs. And under cabinet lights work great for brightening specific areas in your kitchen too. Keep flashlights with working batteries handy, or use the flashlight on your smartphone for spotlighting, like checking settings on appliances. And high powered flashlights or lanterns are a must for emergencies of course, too.

Natural lighting is a good source for reading. Where possible, place the back of a chair against a window that has lots of natural light to create a more positive reading experience. Natural light also improves contrast, brightness and clarity. Keeping your curtains or drapes open allows lots of natural light to come into the room. And for the bathroom, a clear shower curtain lets more light into that area too. If you live with others, it may be a good idea to tell them how important your specific lighting choices are, to helping you see better. Otherwise, they may change things around without thinking.

Now let's talk light bulbs. It's important to know which bulbs work best for general areas and which ones are better for completing near vision or closeup tasks. Full or total spectrum bulbs are the closest to natural sunlight and include a variety of colors. They come in incandescent, fluorescent or halogen. Of all the artificial lighting choices, they provide the most contrast and the least glare. They also increase brightness and clarity and these bulbs are available in various wattage's.

Fluorescent bulbs have a cool, blue/white light that spreads evenly over a wider area. They usually don't cast shadows, but they can be harsh and cause glare. If you use fluorescent bulbs, consider adding a diffuser filter, plastic covers or panels that make it less harsh. Fluorescent bulbs could also be harder to control with the dimmer switch.

Incandescent light bulbs provide a more concentrated light. So they work well in desk and table lamps when you're reading or doing something like knitting. However, they're not recommended for large, general lighting, as they cast more shadows and glare. And the higher the wattage, the more heat these incandescent bulbs will produce. On the other hand, they work well with dimmers and they don't flicker.

Halogen bowls produce a very bright light and good contrast when doing closeup work, but they might give off too much glare for some people. And they produce intense heat. So they're not recommended for prolonged work. You'll find these bulbs used most often in floor lamps, track and recess lighting for general areas.

LED bulbs are very energy efficient. They might cost more than other types of bulbs up front, but over time you'll actually save money because they last longer. Unlike fluorescent bulbs, they don't contain mercury. They come out immediately and they don't have glass tubes that can break. LED lighting is especially good for closeup things like reading.

As always, contact a learning expert if you have questions or your own tips to share. Of course, as with anything new, give yourself time, patience and practice and you'll get there.