LET THERE BE LIGHT, NOT GLARE!

LET THERE BE LIGHT, NOT GLARE!
By Susan Clarke
RNZFB Rehabilitation Instructor, Christchurch

A low vision aid is not the only way to help people see better. In fact, it is less than half the story. Most visually impaired people see better if they can work in a good light. Eyes need light in order to see. It is not just the size of objects that makes them easy or difficult to see. Contrast is also a vital factor. A white elephant in a snowstorm would be difficult for most people to spot! Good lighting enhances contrast, poor lighting reduces it.

Retinal degenerative disorder is the name given to a group of diseases which affect the light sensitive cells in the retina. People with these disorders may suffer from glare, night blindness, or adapting to "light to dark" environments or vice versa, or they may just need extra general or task lighting to promote good contrast, thereby allowing the person to "see better". Good quality lighting throughout the home is vital. It is therefore important to have a critical look at your lighting to avoid both gloom and glare.

The consequences of poor lighting are reduced concentration span, eye fatigue, headaches, irritability, nervous tension, difficulty seeing print and doing daily household tasks. Many home accidents are caused by inadequate lighting of halls, stairways, doorsteps and the kitchen.

Good general lighting is needed as well as task lighting, but can be just as dangerous as poor lighting which if positioned wrongly can cause glare. Light that is too bright (Glare) may cause someone to see much less and complain bitterly, and with justification. Bright lights can be positively painful and cause people to see less because of the glare. All lighting therefore needs to be placed in the right position for each individual.

Contact your local Royal NZ Foundation for the Blind Techniques of Daily Living (TDL) Instructor or a local occupational therapist and ask them to come and do a lighting assessment in your home.

Here are a few tips to look out for in your home:

* Light levels between rooms and corridors should roughly be the same. To come out of a brightly lit bathroom into a dimly lit stairway or landing can be dangerous.
* Many people's needs are met by having powerful light bulbs with good lamp shades that direct the light downwards and not into your eyes.
* Sit in your favourite chair, in your lounge, at the table or desk, or at your kitchen workbench. If you can see a source of light within your field of vision, you have a direct glare problem and will either need to re-position yourself or the light.
* Replace curtains with blinds as they can allow the maximum amount of light to enter the room, but can be adjusted to keep out sunlight.
* Illuminate the room with a second lamp to reduce the contrast when you look up from reading, watching TV, or a daily task.
* Place a mirror on your desk, workbench or against the screen of your computer. If a light source can be seen in the mirror, this light source is in the wrong place. Indirect glare is from poorly positioned lights and causes rapid fatigue.
* "Dimmer" lights are lights that have switches that can control the brightness of the light. These lights can be helpful to control general room lighting for your comfort but can be quite costly.
* In a dining room, a light fitting hanging from the ceiling directly above the table is ideal.
* Outdoor timed lights that light the footpath to the door of your home are ideal, but be careful of sensor lights as they may cause glare from their sudden onset.
* Ask your local TDL instructor to show you some good task lighting. This is excellent to enhance reading with your low vision aid. It also makes kitchen tasks a lot easier as it enhances good contrast.
* Using a torch is a simple way of providing more light just where it is needed and can be very effective. Torches with Halogen bulbs are especially helpful for those who tend to experience particular difficulty in getting about after dark.

Ask your TDL Instructor or your Orientation and Mobility instructor to show you the full range of NoIR glasses. These are ideal for those who suffer from glare and finding the right ones will protect you from glare and will not block any of your residual vision.