LIGHTING - SMALL INVESTMENT WITH BIG PAYOFF

The ability to see, really see, what we are doing is something we take for granted, especially when we are very young. However, as early as twenty years of age, there begins a slow but steady reduction in the amount of light that enters the eye. As individuals become aged, this causes a reduction in visual acuity, color intensity and contrast.

HERE ARE SOME FACTS ABOUT KEEPING YOUR EYES YOUNG:

Glare becomes a greater problem as our eyes age. Many people develop a sensitivity to glare caused by sunlight, other lighting sources and reflections from many household items. It is essential to understand that a source for lighting should reduce glare, so that reading and close work may be performed without advanced fatigue of the eyes.

Living with issues related to low vision and glare sensitivity can present a double-edged problem. Home furnishings such as curtains, drapes, shutters, and blinds can reduce glare, but that is at the expense of the amount of Natural Light that enters the home. Carpets, non-slip floor finishes, and furniture with a flat or matte finish diffuse light to reduce glare problems but, again, they eliminate natural light.

Due to the previously listed reasons, correct natural lighting is essential to preserve our eyes and to protect them from strain. Additionally, natural lighting helps with reading print for long periods of time and gives us the true color view that is distorted without full spectrum lighting.

Correct, non-glaring lighting is a vital investment for many everyday tasks. Good lighting is also important for safety when it comes to potentially dangerous activities such as: walking down stairs, entering a room, sewing, cooking, etc. It needs to be bright enough to create contrast and to aid in differentiation of color, hue, shadow, and depth.

Realize that good lighting is an investment that you cannot afford to ignore. Protecting your eyes is up there with dental care, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. It is something that should be a priority and it is not the place to skimp in terms of spending.

Pay close attention to your abilities to perform tasks in the light of your house and also pay attention to your moods, because natural, or full spectrum lighting will elevate moods and create the contrast without glare necessary for reading. Test various lights and intensity levels to learn what works best for you.

Full spectrum light is the closest to natural sunlight and is the most comfortable for people with visual problems. OttLite (sold on line and in a variety of specialty retailers) produces a variety of full spectrum lighting lamps and bulbs.

Find the proper lighting for your eyes and make the investment. Your eyes are worth it.