How can improving the lighting in my home help with sight loss, and do you have any tips?

Good lighting can help you make the most of your sight by increasing contrast and clarity. This should make you feel more independent in your home, as you’ll be able to move around safely and easily. It can also help you to avoid falls.

Depending on your eye condition, your eyes may need more time to adapt to the different lighting levels within your home. When you go from a bright room to a dark room it can take several minutes for your eyes to adjust. Having consistent, even and controllable lighting levels throughout your home can help reduce the time it takes your eyes to adjust. However some eye conditions cause people to experience uncomfortable glare so it isn’t always just a case of increasing the brightness of all the lights in your home.

You can make the most of natural daylight in your home by:

  • using window blinds with horizontal or vertical slats to control bright light and glare
  • keeping curtains secured or tied back from windows
  • not using net curtains as they block light

Lighting can be improved by:

  • having more table, desk or floor lights
  • fitting dimmer switches so you can adjust the lighting
  • keeping the lighting the same in all the rooms, so your eyes don't need to keep adjusting
  • choosing good quality and easily adjustable task lighting
  • fitting extra lighting over areas like sinks and mirrors
  • fitting bulbs that give more light
  • changing shades and fittings to increase light levels or change the direction of light
  • Using LED strip lighting to highlight edges
  • Using sensor lights on your stairs and in cupboards and wardrobes
  • fitting under unit lighting to light up work areas and cooker tops
  • fitting automatic lighting that will trigger when you get in and out of bed or as you walk up the stairs

Thomas Pocklington Trust have produced a booklet called Lighting in and around the home: A guide to better lighting for people with sight loss, which can be found on the Thomas Pocklington Trust website.

Please also see What should I consider when choosing lighting to help with sight loss?

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