One of the most common symptoms for those with macular degeneration is the need for more light. The Macular Degeneration Partnership explains why this need occurs.  “As you age, the amount of light entering the eye is reduced, causing a reduction in vision, contrast and color. The type of lighting and its intensity, color and direction all affect an individual’s visual performance.”  Most people think “lamps” or “light fixtures” when they think of lighting.  While a gooseneck or adjustable floor or desk lamp are indeed great ways to get more lighting, let’s talk about some other not so common but very useful and convenient ways to light up your world.

Lights that Turn on Automatically

Sometimes it’s necessary to have light before you get to a lamp or light switch because you’ve walked into a dark house, a dark hallway or a dark garage.  Or perhaps your hands are full and you find that locating a hard to find lamp switch isn’t that easy.  Three helpful lighting solutions are:

1. Lamp Timers

Put your lamps on automatic timers so that they come on just as the sun is setting – before it get’s too dark in your house.  If you come home during the evening, you can walk into a house that’s already lit, so you don’t need to fumble around looking for a light or lamp switch. The timers plug into the bottom outlet and provide 24 on/off settings. The cycle repeats itself every 24 hours.

2.   Motion Detecting Lights

Often we think outdoors when we think of motion detecting lights.  But indoor LED motion detecting lights that automatically turn on are being applied in many different situations.  These automatic lights will turn on  when you open a cabinet door, climb the stairs, look in a drawer, walk down a hall, or enter a closet.  There’s no need to search for a light switch with this lighting technology.  A motion sensor picks up any movement from as far away as 4 feet.

3. Touch Lamps

While it’s not quite automatic, consider getting touch lamps so that you don’t need to search or feel around for the switch that can be located in so many different places – sometimes high up on the lamp or lower down on the electric cord.   We love our touch lamps that have 3 settings of dim, medium and bright that can be adjusted or turned off with a simple touch to the lamp base.

Often Used Areas

1. Kitchen

Don’t limit your kitchen lighting to overhead lights.  Consider installing under cabinet lights that are battery operated with motion sensing technology.   The lights will automatically come one when you come near them. There is no need to have them hardwired or professionally installed.         

2. Bathroom

Just because the overhead lights by your sink are bright doesn’t meet there is enough lighting for you to put on your makeup or style your hair.  Invest in a lighted magnifying mirror that will help you see how well you shaved or if your lipstick is applied correctly.

With better lighting your useable vision is maximized and you have a safer home environment with less opportunity for falls or injuries.  For more lighting tips visit Low Vision Lighting

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

www.WebRN-MacularDegeneration.com