Disclaimer: This blog post mentions products for informational purposes only. We are not affiliated with or sponsored by any of the brands or companies mentioned. All products linked are examples for reference.
Navigating life with low vision can be difficult, but thankfully there are a variety of lifestyle changes that can be undertaken in order to improve day-to-day life. One notable lifestyle change that can provide a multitude of benefits is adjusting the lighting within the home in order to make it more low vision friendly. These adjustments can take the form of modifying existing lighting or implementing new lighting fixtures.
Lighting serves an important function for increasing brightness, enhancing contrast, and focusing illumination for certain tasks. Having appropriate lighting can aid tasks such as cooking, writing, reading, and general mobility around the house.
There are two main types of lighting: ambient (room) lighting and task lighting. Ambient lighting describes general lighting which illuminates a room. Task lighting is additional lighting that can aid certain activities. Performing basic functions in daily life typically requires a combination of both ambient and task lighting.
There are also different types of light bulbs. LED bulbs are generally recommended as they are less toxic, long-lasting, energy efficient, and offer better lighting quality compared to traditional bulbs. LED bulbs come in different light options, including warm, cool, and daylight. Some LED bulbs even can switch between these different settings.
Altering the light source itself by changing the bulb type is a way to decrease eye strain. According to the Perkins School for the Blind, there are several different types of lightbulbs to consider utilizing, including fluorescent, LED, incandescent, and halogen bulbs. While they emphasize that incandescent light mimics natural lighting the best, they also recommend avoiding it due to the glare it may cause. Similarly, even though fluorescent lights are widespread commercially, they may cause photosensitivity which also makes them a less desirable option for people with low-vision.
On the other hand, both halogen and LED bulbs seem to be superior options. Halogen lighting offers powerful lighting and enhanced contrast, while LED offers better safety and greater flexibility and accessibility due to the potential to remotely fine-tune the lighting.
Task lighting placement depends on the activity. While reading, task lighting (lamp, reading light) should center over the side of your stronger eye (for example, if your right eye is your stronger eye, light should focus on the page on your right side). When writing, task lighting should be centered on the opposite side of your writing hand (for example, if you write with your left hand, the light should come from your right side). This placement prevents the shadow caused by your hand to obscure your view.
Many lighting options exist which can make living with low vision easier. Some other tips for lighting your home:
Consider lighting that is connected to motion sensors. Motion-activated lighting can reduce the need to find a light switch in the dark.
Keep flashlights, headlamps, and battery-powered lanterns on hand in case of power outages. Battery-powered lights provide better lighting and are more safe compared to candles. Headlamps and hangable lanterns provide hands-free lighting for convenience.
Under cabinet lighting can help illuminate counter surfaces. This lighting option is typically found in strips that can be affixed to different surfaces and turned on/off with a switch.
Explore magnification lighting devices. Devices that combine a magnifier and a lamp can provide task lighting for reading, sewing, and other fine activities. Explore different levels of magnification, as each device typically only comes with a fixed lens (setting of magnification).
Consider lighting with an adjustable neck. Many lighting devices come with a flexible neck that can be easily moved for different lighting needs.
There are several products on the market specifically for low vision lighting. One company called Stella produces lamps with low vision users in mind. Stella Lighting produces multiple LED lamps that are adjustable in terms of color spectrum and brightness. Lamps come in a variety of sizes and styles, with portable options available. They offer floor lamps in addition to table lamps and clip-on lamps.
https://stellalighting.com/shop
The American Foundation for the Blind has a list of different lighting products that they recommend for the visually impaired: https://www.afb.org/assistive-technology-products/lighting
Some examples of these products:
The Dazor Halogen Lamp is portable and provides strong luminescence that still looks natural.
Similarly, the Ott-Lite VisionSaver Plus Vero Desk/Floor Lamps have been designed to produce close to natural lighting while avoiding glare.
https://lssproducts.com/ottlite-vision-saver-plus-floor-lamp-black/