By Bill Takeshita, O.D., F.A.A.O., F.C.O.V.D.
Proper lighting is extremely important for people with low vision.
Many people with low vision will be able to read, walk, cook and perform
daily tasks if they have the correct illumination. Unfortunately, too
often people with low vision use the incorrect lighting. They may
install too much lighting, which can cause glare, headaches, and
eyestrain whereas others may simply be using the incorrect type of bulb.
In this article, various types of lighting will be discussed to help
people with low vision choose the best lighting to maximize their
vision.
Natural and Artificial Lighting
Light is the most fundamental element of vision. Without light, there
is no vision. Light consists of very small packets of electromagnetic
energy called photons. Photons travel from an energy source, such as
the sun or a light bulb, in the form of a wave. Photons that travel
with a short wavelength produce ultraviolet radiation, which is not seen
by the eye. Photons that have a longer wavelength will produce violet
light while successively longer wavelengths will produce blue, green,
yellow, orange, and red respectively. These wavelengths are called the
visible spectrum and together create white light.
Sunlight is the major source of electromagnetic radiation. The sun
contains all wavelengths of light and thus produces light that is
excellent for seeing colors. In addition, the sunlight is extremely
bright and many people with low vision are able to read best under
natural sunlight. However, too much exposure to sunlight or staring at
the sun can cause permanent vision loss and many people with low vision
will benefit from wearing sunglasses to protect their eyes from the
intense rays of the sun. Sunlight is the most effective and affordable
light source for illuminating homes and offices during the day.
Skylights, windows, and glass sliding doors are excellent sources of
natural sunlight.
Artificial Light
Sunlight is not always available during the night, in office
buildings, or in different parts of the country, such as the Pacific
Northwest during the winter. For areas where the sun does not provide
sufficient light, artificial sources of light are used. Light bulbs are
the most popular source of artificial light and today there are many
styles of light bulbs to choose from. Today there are incandescent,
fluorescent, halogen, full spectrum, L.E.D., warm white, cool white,
daylight, low voltage, and white lights of various colors to choose
from. Increasing concerns about the environment have led to the
development of lights that are more efficient, using less energy and
producing more light. People with low vision will greatly benefit from
using the proper type of light bulb for specific tasks. For example,
fluorescent light tubes can provide a high amount of light for use in
the kitchen while a low voltage halogen bulb can be used for reading in
your favorite chair.
Incandescent Light Bulbs
Incandescent light bulbs have been the most widely used light bulb
for nearly 100 years. The incandescent light bulb contains a tungsten
filament inside a glass bulb that produces light when electricity runs
through the filament. Incandescent light bulbs are very easy to install
by simply screwing in the medium size base into a lamp or a light
socket. Incandescent bulbs are available in different colors,
brightness, and they are also available in full spectrum designs that
attempt to simulate sunlight. Unfortunately, incandescent light bulbs
only last about 750 hours and they consume a lot of electricity. The
National Energy and Environmental Security Act of 2007 may lead to the
discontinuation of the conventional incandescent light bulb as
manufacturers produce light bulbs that use less electricity.
Low Voltage Halogen Light Bulbs
A new type of incandescent light is the halogen light bulb. Similar
to an ordinary incandescent light bulb, the halogen bulb has a tungsten
filament that produces light when electricity heats the filament.
However, inside the bulb is a halogen gas that allows the tungsten
filament to last longer and burn hotter to produce a whiter and brighter
light with over two to three times the lifespan of an ordinary
incandescent bulb. Halogen lights can produce light of different colors
and brightness. One drawback of the halogen bulb is that they become
very hot and they should be positioned away from flammable materials
such as drapes and curtains. There are now low voltage light fixtures
that use the MR-16 halogen bulb, which produces a very bright light in
various colors. The MR-16 bulbs are often mounted in recessed lighting
fixtures that are mounted flush with the ceiling to provide general
lighting in a home or office. They can also be installed in track
lighting fixtures to accent photographs, paintings, and specific work
areas for cooking, sewing, and reading. In fact, many art museums now
use the MR-16 low voltage halogen bulb to illuminate their art with
natural color rendition.
Fluorescent Bulbs
A fluorescent light bulb consists of a glass tube that is coated with
a special phosphorescent chemical on the inside of the bulb. When
electricity is run through the bulb, the gas inside the tube produces
ultraviolet light, which excites the phosphorescent compounds, producing
visible light. Fluorescent light bulbs became popular in the 1950’s
when they were used in large stores, warehouses, and office buildings.
The original fluorescent light tubes produced a very high amount of
light and used much less electricity as compared to incandescent light
bulbs. However, they often flickered and produced light that distorted
the appearance of colors and faces. People did not use fluorescent bulbs
in their homes because they often caused headaches, eyestrain, and skin
tones appeared greenish and unattractive. Fortunately, today,
fluorescent light bulbs have made significant improvements. They no
longer flicker and they are available in different colors to improve the
appearance of skin tones and colors. Fluorescent light tubes are still
used in many stores and offices and they continue to be a very efficient
source of artificial light.
One of the most popular fluorescent lights is the compact fluorescent
light (CFL). CFL bulbs consist of a tube that is swirled to form a
small coil that can be screwed into your lamps and light sockets at
home. They are available in various colors and brightness levels while
using ¼ to 1/5 the amount of energy as an incandescent light bulb.
Full Spectrum Light Bulbs
Full spectrum lighting has become very popular in recent years. Many
manufacturers have attempted to produce a light bulb that would simulate
natural sunlight. The advantages of having light similar to the
spectrum of the sun is that colors appear more accurate and the
ultraviolet radiation is also beneficial for the production of Vitamin
D. However, most full spectrum light sources do not precisely produce
the same spectrum of the various wavelengths of light and subsequently
colors still appear different under full spectrum light as compared to
natural sunlight. Manufacturers produce full spectrum lights using both
incandescent and fluorescent technology. Full spectrum incandescent
bulbs such as the Chromalux bulb eliminate some of the yellow spectrum
of light to produce a more even distribution of all wavelengths of
light. Low-voltage halogen incandescent bulbs such as the SoLux MR-16
halogen bulbs increase the spectrum of blue light by selectively
filtering and reflecting specific wavelengths of light while full
spectrum fluorescent bulbs emit more blue light to create a wider range
of colors within the white light. Full spectrum fluorescent bulbs are
available in a wide variety of sizes to be used in offices, kitchens,
table lamps, and reading lamps.
L.E.D Light Bulbs
Light emitting diodes (LED) light bulbs are the latest in energy
conservation. The LED is a very small device that is often the size of a
pencil eraser. They use very little energy but produce a very bright
light. LED bulbs are now being produced to replace the incandescent
light bulb. These bulbs consist of numerous LED diodes to produce a
single larger bulb. The LED lights are excellent for use in desk lamps
and portable hand magnifiers because they produce a bright light without
generating too much heat.
Full Spectrum Light Controversy
Full spectrum lights are designed to produce a wide range of colors
of light, including ultraviolet and blue light. Research studies have
reported that students and employees are able to read and work more
effectively, with fewer headaches, less eyestrain, and better vision
under full spectrum light as compared to incandescent lights. Full
spectrum lights are also prescribed by doctors to treat vitamin D
deficiency and Seasonal Affective Disorder, a condition where people
often suffer from depression when deprived of sunlight in regions where
there is little sunlight. Many patients who have been seen at our
clinic, the Center for the Partially Sighted, have reported that their
eyes are more comfortable and that they can see better when using full
spectrum lights.
Although there are many arguments to support the use of full spectrum
lighting, there are also studies that argue against the use of these
lights. Studies have demonstrated the dangers of ultraviolet radiation
to the skin and eyes. Ultraviolet radiation has been linked to skin
cancer; cataracts while blue wavelengths of light have been shown to
damage the cells of the retina in laboratory animals. Some people with
low vision are often bothered by the blue light emitted from full
spectrum fluorescent light bulbs and some eye doctors recommend against
the use of these light bulbs.
At the present time, there is no conclusive data that shows that
exposure to full spectrum lighting causes blindness. Full spectrum
lights are still available for purchase and they are widely used in
stores, schools, and offices. Proponents of the use of full spectrum
lighting point out that The sun has much higher levels of short
wavelength radiation compared to a full spectrum light bulb and people
who are exposed to the sunlight all day do not have a higher prevalence
of blindness. Manufacturers of full spectrum lighting report that
exposure to full spectrum fluorescent lighting in an office or classroom
for eight hours is equivalent to being outdoors for one minute. One
possible explanation why there are not more people with severe retinal
damage due to exposure to sunlight is the fact that the eyes have a
natural lens inside the eye that selectively filters the ultra-violet
and short wavelengths of light to protect the retina. Only when the
internal crystalline lens has been removed during cataract extraction
surgery is the retina exposed to these harmful rays of light. Alcon
laboratories has developed an artificial implant lens that can be
inserted into the eye after cataract extraction surgery to filter the
harmful rays of light while clear glasses and tinted sunglasses can also
filter the ultraviolet and blue wavelengths of light.
People with low vision should consult with their eye doctors to
determine whether additional protection is needed in the form of
glasses. In some cases, the doctor may recommend that the glasses are
treated and worn at all times. In other cases, the doctor may recommend
the use of specially tinted glasses when outdoors. Full spectrum
lighting may be very helpful by providing sufficient light to enhance
visual function. However, people with vision problems should check with
their eye care professional before making such a decision.
Brightness, Color and Energy Use of Light Bulbs
Have you ever replaced a 75-watt light bulb with another 75-watt
light bulb to find that everything looked different with the new light?
This is because not all 75-watt light bulbs are the same. Some 75-watt
bulbs are brighter than others while some have different colors than
others. One of the most confusing things when shopping for light bulbs
is to know which bulb is the brightest and what color and quality of
light is produced by the bulb. Most light bulbs are labeled with the
wattage of the bulb, such as “100 watt” but this tells nothing about the
brightness or color of the light. In this section, we will describe
the features to look for when shopping for light bulbs.
Brightness
The brightness of a bulb is measured in units called lumens. The
higher the number of lumens, the brighter the light. When shopping for
light bulbs, it is important to compare the lumens of one bulb versus
another. For example, if you are comparing two light bulbs made by two
different companies, compare the lumens produced by each bulb to
determine which is brighter. Often, both bulbs may be labeled as “75
watts” but one may have 1200 lumens while the other only has 1000. Ask
your eye doctor to tell you how many lumens is best for general use in
your living areas as well as how many lumens is best for your reading
light.
It is also important to understand that the level of brightness is
dependent on the distance between the light bulb and the object being
illuminated. Many people with low vision make the mistake of using a
light bulb with 1200 lumens and they install the light in the ceiling
fixture. When they turn the light on and try to read, they realize that
there is not enough light to read. A better option is to use that same
light bulb and insert it into a desk lamp that is positioned 1 to 2-feet
away from the reading material. In this set up, the amount of
brightness on the book will be much higher simply because the light is
closer to the book and all the light from the bulb is directed towards
the page.
Wattage
The wattage of a bulb is often printed in large print on the boxes of
light bulbs and many people mistakenly use this number as a measure of
how bright the light bulb is. In reality, the wattage only describes how
much energy is used to illuminate the light bulb. The higher the
wattage, the more expensive it is to use this light. Do not assume that
the higher the wattage, the brighter the light. For example, a 75-watt
ordinary incandescent light bulb is less bright as compared to a 22-watt
fluorescent bulb. Consumers must also be careful not to purchase light
bulbs that claim low energy use or “Miser” bulbs because they produce
fewer lumens and users may need to use two or three “miser bulbs” to
generate the same light as a single bulb of a slightly higher wattage.
Color
Light bulbs produce different colors of light. You may have noticed
that your clothes appear to be a different color when you look at
yourself under the direct sunlight versus under a light bulb. This is
because many light bulbs such as the conventional incandescent bulb emit
light in the reddish range. These bulbs do not produce enough blue
light and this will make it difficult for you to differentiate various
shades of blue and green, causing you to confuse blue with black.
The color of light emitted by the light bulb is described in many
ways. Many manufacturers will label their bulbs as either “Warm, cool,
or daylight.” A warm light has a reddish white color, the cool white
bulb has a bluish white color, and the daylight bulb attempts to
simulate the color of sunlight. A second way the color produced by a
light bulb is described is by specifying the temperature of the light
bulb in degrees Kelvin. The Kelvin scale uses the color of a metal when
heated to very high temperatures. A piece of metal heated to 2700
degrees Kelvin produces a reddish-orange light. As the temperature is
increased, the color changes from red to orange, to yellow, and then
blue at the highest temperature. Thus, light bulbs are labeled with a
temperature written on the box that describes its temperature and color.
A bulb labeled 2700 degrees is a reddish white color light and is
pleasant to look at skin tones. 3500 degrees produces a yellowish white
light while 4100 degrees produces a greenish blue white light that is
often used in grocery stores and office buildings. Light bulbs with a
temperature of 5000 degrees or above have all the wavelengths of light
and are called full spectrum lights. It must be stated that even full
spectrum artificial lights do not emit an even spectrum of all colors of
light in the same way that the sun does. Rather, full spectrum lights
often generate spikes of red, yellow, green, and blue.
One of the problems of artificial light is that colors do not appear
natural when viewed under artificial lights. A person who sews, draws,
or paints will need to use a light that will show the colors accurately.
The first step is to select the color bulb that is most comfortable to
use. For example, some people with low vision prefer to use bulbs with a
temperature of 3500 degrees Kelvin as compared to a full spectrum bulb
of 6000 degrees Kelvin. Next, it is important to determine which type or
brand of bulb at that temperature is best for rendering colors. The
color-rendering index is a measurement that is often labeled on the
boxes of light bulbs. A score of 100 is the best score while a score
lower than 100 means that colors may not appear properly when viewed
with these bulbs. An example of how to use the CRI is to consider a
person who prefers the 3500-degree temperature bulb. This temperature
bulb is available in an incandescent bulb, halogen bulb, and a
fluorescent bulb. In order to determine which type of bulb would produce
the best color, one can look for the bulb with the highest CRI.
Remember, you can only use the CRI scale when comparing bulbs of the
same temperature.
Which Type of Bulb Is Best for Different Tasks?
The ideal way of modifying the lighting for people with low vision is
to utilize a variety of different types of artificial lights. For some
areas, compact fluorescent lights may be best while in other areas low
voltage halogen is recommended. Unfortunately, light fixtures are not
universal in that each light fixture will not accept each type of light
bulb. Thus, it is important to determine which type of light bulb is
best for seeing and then the appropriate light fixture can then be
purchased.
General Lighting
The main purpose of general lighting is to provide sufficient
illumination to allow people to orient themselves in a room, walk from
one location to another, and to find objects in the room. The amount
of general lighting that is best for people with low vision varies
tremendously. People with macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy
generally prefer the general lighting to be moderate or slightly on the
dimmer range while people with retinitis pigmentosa and glaucoma will
prefer the room to be very bright.
During the day, sunlight is an excellent way to obtain general
lighting to illuminate the room. If the room has windows, simply opening
the drapes and blinds will illuminate the room. Painting the walls a
light color with flat, satin, or semi-gloss latex pain can brighten the
room significantly. For people who do not want as much light, a darker
paint on the walls, window coverings, or drapes can reduce the general
lighting. Skylights can be installed in homes to allow natural light to
shine through the ceiling to provide excellent illumination for a price
of $300 to $500. Some skylights such as the Solar Tube can be installed
by do-it-yourselfers in a couple of hours.
During the evening or dark winter days, you may need more general
lighting. When using light bulbs to provide general lighting, there are
multiple ways to achieve this goal depending on your own taste and
visual needs. Indirect lighting is when light is directed towards the
ceiling and reflected down to illuminate a room. The use of a torchiere
light with a compact fluorescent bulb is a very affordable way to
produce general lighting. A torchiere light consists of a 6-foot pole
that stands upright on the floor and has a large bowl shaped shade that
directs the light towards the ceiling. The shades come in a variety of
designs and eliminate users from looking directly at the bulb, a major
cause of glare. As the light reflects from the ceiling, the entire room
is filled with an even level of light. In order to obtain the most
lighting in the room, the ceilings should be a light color and a
semi-gloss white paint works very well. Torchiere lamps are available at
Home Depot for less than $50 and they provide a good amount of general
lighting when used with a compact fluorescent light bulb. If the room is
a very large room, you may place two or even three of these lamps in
different areas of the room to provide an even level of general
illumination. It is better to avoid having areas of dark and light
because dark and light areas on a floor can be confusing for people with
low vision.
Table lamps are another affordable way to provide indirect general
lighting. Compact fluorescent light bulbs can be installed into table
lamps. A most important feature of table lamps is to select a lampshade
that allows some light to pass through the shade. Some lampshades may
be old and dirty and this reduces the amount of general lighting.
Depending on your lighting needs, the use of a 13-watt or 22-watt
compact fluorescent bulb of various color temperatures will direct light
toward the ceiling and through the shade to brighten the room. There
are also light sensors that can be screwed into table lamps that will
turn your lamp on automatically when it becomes dark or when a person
moves in the room. These sensors are available at home improvement
stores for under $10. They can be very helpful by eliminating the need
to try to find the lamp in the dark.
Direct lighting is another way to provide general lighting. Direct
lighting is when light from the ceiling is directed towards the floor.
Recessed can light fixtures are one of the most popular forms of direct
lighting. These fixtures are installed into the ceilings and are mounted
flush with the ceiling surface to provide a clean finish. Each fixture
is installed approximately four to five feet apart and cost about $100
each installed. For some people who are bothered with glare, the
recessed lights can present a problem because the bulbs are directly in
view of the eyes. This can cause glare. In such cases, a black baffle
can reduce glare or the use of indirect lighting may be another
alternative. There are different types of recessed lighting fixtures.
Some fixtures, such as the R-40 can light, will take bulbs with the
medium size screw in base. For these fixtures, the use of incandescent
reflector bulbs produce a very warm color light with a wide beam of
light. These bulbs are also available in a spot light form, which can
be used directly over a person’s reading chair. However, these
incandescent reflector bulbs may be discontinued soon to conserve energy
but they are being replaced with compact fluorescent reflector bulbs.
The term reflector is used with these bulbs because the inside surface
of these bulbs are polished and curved to direct the light downward,
making sure that the maximum amount of light goes towards the desired
direction.
Another type of recessed fixture is the low voltage halogen recessed
light. These fixtures are smaller in size and create a real designer
look. These fixtures use a MR-16 bulb and these bulbs are available in
different color temperatures with a spot beam of light or a flood. These
fixtures and bulbs are excellent for illuminating rooms as well as
being used to illuminate specific work areas such as the office, reading
area, or over cooking counters in the kitchen. These fixtures are also
excellent for use in the bathroom to provide excellent light to groom
and apply makeup.
Track lights are another way to produce direct lighting to provide
general lighting in a room. Track lights consist of a 1-inch wide strip
of various lengths. The track is installed into the ceiling with a few
screws and multiple low voltage halogen fixtures are attached to the
track. The fixtures can then direct light throughout the room and
illuminate the entire room and walls. Track lights are an affordable
alternative to hiring an electrician to install recessed lights. Similar
to the low voltage recessed lights, low voltage track lights use the
MR-16 spot or flood bulbs. Track lights are also great for adding more
light in your closet to identify colors of clothing, above kitchen work
areas, above your desk, and above your favorite chair for reading. One
bulb that works very well is the Solux MR-16 low voltage bulb, which is
available in temperatures of 2700, 3500, 4100, 4700, and 5000 degrees
Kelvin in both a spot and flood light beam. These lights and fixtures
are often used in many art museums to provide excellent color rendition
of the photographs and paintings.
Four-foot fluorescent fixtures are another way to provide direct
general illumination. These fixtures cost about $100 and are fairly
easily installed on the ceiling by a handyman or an electrician in about
½ hour. The fixtures take four4-feet long fluorescent bulbs and
produce a high amount of lighting. These fixtures are an excellent
solution if you need a lot of light in the kitchen or dinette. Depending
on the vision condition of the patient, various color temperature
fluorescent tubes should be used. In some kitchens, a four-foot
fluorescent fixture can be installed in the center of the kitchen while
low voltage track lights or recessed lights with the MR-16 bulb can be
installed over the sink and counter to produce high illumination where
foods are prepared.
In many office buildings, four-foot fluorescent down light fixtures
are used with an anodized parabolic grid to direct light towards the
floor without causing glare and reflections from computer screens and
windows.
Another very important area to have adequate general lighting is
outside of the home. The use of an ordinary incandescent light bulb in a
porch light fixture does not produce sufficient light for people with
low vision to walk safely during the night. Porch lights with a compact
fluorescent light can provide a higher amount of light while using less
electricity. Another excellent source of general light are light
fixtures that use sodium high-pressure incandescent lights. These light
bulbs produce a very bright amber-color light that can illuminate a
large area and are excellent for outside of the garage or in the
backyard. These lights are often used in parking lots because they
produce so much light and use very little energy.
Accent Lighting
Accent lighting is used to illuminate specific areas of the home.
Accent lighting provides illumination to accent photographs or paintings
on the walls, hallways, and walkways. These areas do not require as
much illumination as areas of general lighting and thus save
electricity. For example, hallways of your home generally do not need to
be as bright as your living room or kitchen. One type of accent
lighting is a wall sconce. A wall sconce is a light fixture that allows
light to shine towards the ceiling and also downward towards the floor.
These fixtures cost about $50 and work well with a 6-watt or 9-watt
compact fluorescent bulb to illuminate hallways. Night lights can also
be strategically placed along hallways to help people with low vision to
see where to walk during the middle of the night while low voltage
recessed can lights also work well in hallways.
Paintings, photographs, or specific pieces of furniture can also be
accented by using track lights with low voltage halogen MR-16 bulbs.
These lights do an excellent job of illuminating colored pictures and
paintings while providing excellent color rendition. The use of a 35
watt MR-16 SoLux halogen bulb with a temperature of 3500 degrees Kelvin
is an excellent way to display your paintings and photos.
Landscape Malibu lights are another form of accent lighting that
provides safety and beauty to illuminate walkways and pathways at night.
These lights are available in LED solar powered bulbs as well as low
voltage halogen lights for people who prefer a bright light. These
lights can be installed very easily by do-it-yourselfers in a half a day
for under $100.
Task Lighting
Reading, writing, drawing, sewing, knitting, and cooking are tasks
that require more specialized lighting to provide functional vision.
Most people with low vision are able to read, write, and see details
better when they have the proper brightness, color, and light fixture.
For these tasks, many people with low vision will require higher levels
of light than what can be provided using general or accent lighting.
Reading task lights are extremely helpful for people with low vision.
The color and brightness of the light must be determined for each
individual, depending on the specific eye condition. People with
glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, and optic nerve atrophy often prefer a
very bright light while others with cataracts, macular degeneration and
albinism prefer a softer and more subdued light for reading. The most
effective desk task lamps for reading consist of a housing that will
shield the user from seeing the light bulb. These desk lamps generally
use a fluorescent, incandescent, or LED bulb with an adjustable arm.
Fluorescent desk lamps can be use with a variety of color temperature
bulbs, ranging from 2700 to 6000 degrees Kelvin in varying brightness.
Unfortunately, most fluorescent reading lights do not have dimmers.
Incandescent and L.E.D desk lamps often have dimmable switches to
precisely adjust the brightness of the light and they are also available
in different color bulbs. Many desk lamps can be used with compact
fluorescent light bulbs of varying colors without producing the heat of a
conventional incandescent bulb. Some of the more popular reading desk
lamps include the OTT full spectrum fluorescent desk lamp, Veri-Lux full
spectrum adjustable clamp lamp, and incandescent desk lamps that use
the Chromalux full spectrum incandescent bulb or the General Electric
Reveal incandescent bulb. For those who prefer a light with less blue
light, the use of a desk lamp with a fluorescent bulb of a temperature
of 3500 degrees Kelvin is very effective for reading and writing.
Reading lamps are also available in floor model styles. These lamps
are excellent for people who do not have desk space to place a desk lamp
or if they need light to read or sew while sitting at their favorite
chair in the living room. Floor lamps consist of a heavy base that sits
on the floor and a long arm projects upward on an adjustable arm to
allow users to position the light optimally for reading. As a general
rule, floor lamps should project light from behind the shoulder of the
user’s better eye. By placing the lamp behind the person using the
light, light will not shine directly into the eyes of the user. The
light should never be placed directly in front of the user because the
light will reflect off of the paper into the user’s eyes. Manufacturers
of table reading lamps also produce floor lamp models that are virtually
the same as the desk lamps. The primary difference is that the length
of the arm is longer, allowing users to have additional task lighting
without the need of having a desk.
Computer users also require special task lighting to maximize vision.
Overhead lighting in office buildings, windows, and table lamps often
creates glare and reflections on the computer screen. By turning off the
lights in the room and placing a small fluorescent or L.D.D. table lamp
on the desk to illuminate the desk surface, glare and reflections on
the computer screen can be eliminated. For those who want a more stylish
look with a brighter light, the use of low-voltage track lighting or
recessed lights with a MR-16 bulb can be positioned above the desk to
illuminate specific areas extremely well. Similarly, the use of track
lights with low voltage halogen lights can be placed above reading
chairs at homes to provide excellent lighting for reading.
Painting, sewing, and identifying clothes in the closet are tasks
that require lighting that will produce accurate color rendition. Full
spectrum fluorescent and incandescent lights, and low voltage halogen
lights are some of the best lights to perceive colors accurately. Light
bulbs that have a wider spectrum of colors, such as full spectrum light
bulbs, contain most of the colors in the visible spectrum. Thus, when
these lights illuminate colored objects, the specific color is reflected
off of the painting or fabric, resulting in accurate color perception.
In contrast, the use of a light bulb that has primarily the red or
longer wavelengths of light, blues and greens will appear different
because the light does not emit enough blue and green light to result in
best color perception. In many art museums, the low voltage MR-16 SoLux
3500 and 4700 degrees Kelvin bulbs are used to illuminate paintings
while full spectrum fluorescent and incandescent lights are often used
in fabric stores to provide best color perception.
More Information About Lighting for People with Low Vision
You are welcome to schedule a free low vision consultation with one of our specialists. We can help you determine which kids of lighting will be most
effective for your type and degree of vision loss. For more information, contact the center nearest you or call 1-800-BRAILLE (272-4553).
About Dr. Takeshita
Bill Takeshita, O.D., F.A.A.O., F.C.O.V.D. is a low vision
optometrist who serves as the consulting director of low vision at
Braille Institute. He is also the Chief of Optometry at the Center for
the Partially Sighted and an adjunct professor at the Southern
California College of Optometry.
Dr. Takeshita has lectured extensively across the nation on the
topics of low vision, computer technology and assistive technology for
children and adults with low vision.
In 2004, Dr. Takeshita founded The Dr. Bill Takeshita Foundation,
which he established after he ironically lost his own sight but gained a
new perspective on vision impairment. The Foundation provides
information and assistance to help children who are visually impaired.
Dr. Takeshita can be contacted by e-mail at Bill@DrBillFoundation.org.