Use of Lighting
To see detail better, many people with low vision often require two to three times the amount of light required by a sighted person. Two types of lighting need to be taken into consideration: general and task lighting. This fact sheet will discuss the best ways to use both these types of lighting.
General lighting
This is the overall light in a room or area and is provided by daylight and artificial light (usually ceiling lighting).
Daylight
Daylight is an important source of light, which most people with low vision find very useful. It is important to note daylight changes depending on the time of day, season and weather so that some times it is brighter than others. It often needs to be supplemented by artificial light. The following suggestions will help maximise the benefit of daylight.
- Keep windows as clean as possible to transmit the greatest amount of light.
- Install skylights in the hallway, bathroom or kitchen to facilitate more natural light.
- Glare should be minimised at all times. A sunny room may benefit from a venetian blind, vertical drapes, curtains or tinted windows.
- Glare will also be reduced if you work with your back to the window.
- Make the best use of daylight by changing the times at which you do certain tasks e.g. chopping vegetables at 2pm rather than 5pm.
Artificial Lighting
The following suggestions will help you make the most of artificial lighting in rooms and large areas:
- Quality fluorescent tube lighting is highly recommended for general lighting. Fluorescent tubes offer the most diffuse light minimising the potential for shadows and glare. They also provide a brighter light than incandescent and halogen light sources and are more economical to run. All fluorescent tubes should be “triphosphorous” or “full-spectrum” tubes with a prismatic or opal diffuser. Triphosphorous tubes make colours appear more natural. They are also available in warm white or cool white (sometimes also called “daylight”) depending on the area you are lighting and the atmosphere you wish to create. For example, in a lounge room, a relaxed atmosphere is normally preferred so one is more likely to select warm white triphosphorous fluorescent tubes.
- Where incandescent or halogen lighting is preferred, keep in mind that they have a narrower band of light which means they light up a smaller area. Therefore, a greater number of light fittings will be required to adequately light up the entire space and reduce the production of shadows which can create optical illusions.
- It is important to have a high level of lighting where the room is evenly lit as well as being glare free. It is also important to ensure the lighting from room to room is even so that your eyes do not have to adjust to changes in light levels (called “dark/light adaptation”).
- For stairways, light switches should be installed at the top and bottom of the stairs to ensure lighting can be switched on and off as required in these potentially hazardous areas. Light switches should also be installed at either end of long corridor areas.
- Lighting outside the home should also be considered to promote safety. For example, sensor spot lights and flood lights are effective at lighting up pathways leading to front our back entrances.
Further Information about Types of Artificial Light Sources and Their Features
1. Incandescent light bulbs
- These are the commonly used 60W, 75W, 100W pearl or clear bulbs.
- Pearl (or frosted) bulbs are preferred as they offer a more diffuse light without losing brightness. Clear bulbs can create harsh shadows and act as a glare source.
- Provide a warm, yellow light.
- Effective as task lamps and spot lights, less effective for general lighting due to the low levels of brightness they provide and the shadows they can create.
- Can become very hot.
- Easy to install dimmer switches.
- A large light coloured lamp shade with a white reflective interior should be used to maximise brightness.
- If used in a task lamp usually a 60 watt bulb is sufficient. People usually find 100 watt bulbs to be too glary and hot.
2. Halogen light sources
- Generally appear “crisp” and offer a brighter light.
- Not recommended for general lighting as they produce a narrow band of light creating shadows in corners. You usually need many halogen lights installed in a ceiling to get an adequate level of light in a room.
- Can cause bright spots on reading materials which can be glary.
- Bulbs burn at a very high temperature and generate a lot of heat, causing discomfort if positioned too close to the face or body when used as task lamp.
3. Fluorescent light sources
- Often recommended for general lighting.
- Offer the most diffuse light minimising potential for shadows and glare.
- Provide a brighter light than incandescent bulbs.
- Do not get as hot as incandescent or halogen bulbs.
- Not as easy to dim.
- Cheapest to run and do not need to be replaced frequently.
- Available in straight/long tubes (18W, 36W) or circular tubes.
4. Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs: energy saving light bulbs
- Do not get as hot as incandescent or halogen bulbs
- Do not produce full light output until they warm up for a minute or two
- Cheap running costs and last a long time
- Should only be used when they are left on for at least 15mins (preferably 30mins) otherwise they are not energy efficient
- More expensive than incandescent bulbs
- Available in warm white or cool white (sometimes also called “daylight”)
- Available in a spiral or u – bend globe
- Similar brightness to incandescent bulbs. Wattage comparisons are provided below:
- Incandescent bulb 40W = Compact Fluorescent bulb 9W
- Incandescent bulb 60W = Compact Fluorescent bulb 11-13W
- Incandescent bulb 75W = Compact Fluorescent bulb 15-18W
- Incandescent bulb 100W = Compact Fluorescent bulb 20-25W
Task (focused) lighting
If daylight is insufficient or inappropriate, a task light such as a torch or a lamp is a useful form of light. Task lighting enhances contrast, making it easier to see what you are looking at. A ceiling light is often too far away. Task lighting can be useful for reading, writing, craftwork, chopping vegetables, etc.
Task lighting is best used with general room lighting for safety purposes. If you move away from the task area you still need to be able to see where you are going.
A lamp with a flexible arm and a wide shade surrounding the bulb is the most suitable style of task light (see picture below). The bulb should be recessed into the shade so that the glare is not reflecting into your eyes.
Positioning your lamp
When using a lamp it should be positioned with the shade below eye level and the light directed onto the object (see photo below).
The light should shine onto the task from a 45° angle so that excess light shines away from your eyes (see diagram below).
The lamp can be placed as close as 15cm (6 inches) away from the task. However, if the light is too bright or glare is reflecting into your eyes, reposition the lamp.
Although lighting is important, a lamp alone may not be sufficient for seeing fine detail. You may need to use a magnifier in combination with a light.
Positioning a magnifier with a lamp
Although lighting is important, a lamp alone may not be sufficient for seeing fine detail. You may need to use a magnifier in combination with a light.
When using a lamp with a hand or stand magnifier, the positioning of the light is important. You should place the lamp close to the magnifier so that the light is shining underneath the magnifying glass and onto the task area (see diagram below). This careful positioning will prevent the light from shining onto the magnifying lens. Once again, if the light is too bright or glare is reflecting into your eyes you should reposition the lamp.
Using Your Lamp Safely
Light globes and lamp shades can become hot.
- Avoid getting too close and position the lamp below eye level. The light should shine on the task, not your face.
- Keep lamps clear of curtains, bed clothes etc.
- Allow to cool before removing and changing globe.
Electrical safety
- Ensure lamps are not used in wet areas.
- Switch off power and remove plug before changing globe.
- Do not use lamp if faulty.
General safety
- Ensure cords are not across walk ways.
- Ensure lamp is stable with a heavy base.
Portable lighting
Torches can be very useful for looking in cupboards, getting around or at night or finding a keyhole. They are also useful for reading menus when eating out and so on. Keep one in the kitchen and one in your pocket or handbag.
Portable, hands free lighting can be used for activities such as music, cards, choir, craftwork or bingo. This type of torch is mounted on a headband – like a miner’s lamp.
What to look for in purchasing torch or portable lighting?
- LED or halogen bulbs give a brighter whiter light but the beam of light can be much narrower.
- LED bulbs do not need replacing and use less battery life.
- Try not to get a torch that is too heavy to hold in one hand.
- Ordinary bulbs can give a shadow of the filament, which reduces the brightness.
- Changing batteries should be easy.
- Always try before you buy.
Where to Buy Portable Lights
Try camping shops, auto shops, bookshops, K mart, Big W, King of Knives, Angus and Robertson and Dymocks.
This page last updated: 23 July 2008