The Right Lighting Can Enhance Your Vision



Lighting takes on added importance for everyone as they grow older. Even normal healthy eyes generally require twice as much illumination at age 50 as they did at age 25. And for people with limited vision lighting becomes an even more critical factor. It is important to control the intensity of light and the glare as well as to provide contrast.

There are two types of lighting:

General overhead lighting as in the type of lighting that lights up the whole room


Task lighting or lighting used for a specific activity such as reading or needlepoint There are also different kinds of light and each person tends to have a preference for one of them. The three main kinds are
incandescent halogen and fluorescent. Chromalux is another type of light that mimics natural sunlight. It is well worth your time to determine which type of lighting helps you most.


Below are some tips for using lighting to maximize your vision:

◦ Provide light throughout the room along with additional task lighting near the activity. While the area of activity should be bright the entire room must also be well illuminated to eliminate shadows. One should not work in a pool of light surrounded by darkness.
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◦ Move lamps close to your work. To help avoid glare use an adjustable lamp and position the lamp to the side rather than directly in front of you. Many people find it helpful to have lamps on both the right and left sides -- that will eliminate shadows.
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◦ When writing to prevent shadows place the lamps on the opposite side of the hand being used. Locate the bottom edge of the lampshade just below eye level.
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◦ To reduce glare cover bare light bulbs of all types with shades. Soften bright light from windows with coverings like blinds or sheer curtains. Also position the chair and table so you don't have to look directly at the light coming from the window.
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◦ To further reduce glare cover or remove shiny surfaces such as floors and table tops. Shiny paper can increase glare so try to use matte paper when reading or writing.

출처: http://www.lowvisioninfo.org