According to the American Optometric Association, approximately 80% of what a child learns in school is acquired through vision, and […]
Proper lighting can be very important, especially for people with low vision. The ideal type of lighting for a given person may vary depending on their condition and the nature of the task that they wish to perform. Positioning of the light source can also contribute to its effectiveness.
Low vision can make many different daily tasks, such as reading, cooking, or working, a major challenge. One of the ways to deal with low vision is to ensure that there is proper lighting as it can help a person effectively see and it can even reduce the amount of magnification required to perform certain tasks. Proper lighting provides high definition and resolution and it also facilitates adequate contrast to distinguish between an object and its background.
When you’re setting up lighting, you want to make sure that it does not cause glare because that can make it harder to see. It is important to consult with a low vision optometrist who understands the different qualities of light in order to achieve the best light conditions for your visual needs.
There are different qualities of light, which are described below. Understanding how to distinguish between different kinds of light can help you choose which lighting is right for you and for your needs.
A Watt measures how much energy is being used by a product. You can think of it similarly to how much battery is being used on your cell phone. With the introduction of newer, more energy efficient lights such as LEDs, it is no longer useful to use Watts as a measurement of how strong your lights are.
This is a measurement of how much light is visible to the human eye so the higher the lumen, the brighter the light will be. It is a more conventional and relevant way of measuring light output, as opposed to wattage. A Watt measures power consumption, whereas a lumen provides the measurement of light output.
Lux, also known as illuminance, measures how intense a light is on a surface. A lux is equal to one lumen per square meter. A typical household living room has around 50 lux while a grocery store has 750 lux.
Color rendering is a quantitative measurement of how the colors of an object will appear in a certain light source compared to how it would appear in sunlight. A high CRI means that the light source provides good color perception compared to sunlight. When looking for lighting for someone with low vision, you should choose lighting with a CRI of 80 or higher as it provides good color perception.
Color temperature is a little more subjective, meaning some people may find that they see better with a specific color temperature. This term is used to describe the appearance of light from a light bulb and it is measured in Kelvin. The color temperature will either be more warm with yellow, red or orange or colder like white or blue. Most people stay away from lighting at either end of the spectrum as the lighting is either extremely warm or cold. Low vision optometrists will often recommend lighting that has adjustable color temperature, which allows for the greatest flexibility. Some people will find that colder temperature lighting is better for daylight hours while warmer temperatures are better at night.
There are different kinds of light which will be discussed below and each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. It is important to understand the different types of light that are available in order to be able to achieve daily tasks in the most comfortable way despite your low vision diagnosis.
This lighting was the most common type of light you’d find around a typical home until around 2010. It is considered safe for the retina, however it is not an economic choice and it is not good for color perception or for contrast. It is often referred to as yellow light because it is distinctive for its yellowish color.
Halogen is good for contrast and for providing a lot of light, but it emits excessive heat. This can be uncomfortable and hazardous, especially if you’re working close to it, as many people with low vision tend to do.
Fluorescent lighting is very often used in public places, such as schools or hospitals and is considered to be energy efficient, bright, economical and safe for the eyes. It is more energy efficient than incandescent or halogen lights and it is not as expensive as LEDs. Fluorescents are not always so easy on the eyes, but it has a range of color temperature flexibility which can be very useful.
These lights are recommended for their durability, efficiency and small size. The initial purchase can be expensive, but they are long lasting and do not require much maintenance. This type of light is an extremely adaptable lighting technology that is very innovative for people with vision loss. LED’s can be made in any shape and size, and can have full spectrum, dimming, changeable color temperatures, and when properly designed are cool to the touch.
Full spectrum light is a term used to describe illumination that is the closest to mimicking natural sunlight so it boasts a high color rendering index. It includes the entire color range which is helpful for people who have difficulty with contrast sensitivity because full spectrum lighting can help make colors more discernible and crisp. Artists, graphic designers, and museums will generally look for full spectrum lighting in order to ensure that they can discern minute changes to the color.
While the type of light is important, the placement of the light has a great impact as well. Your low vision optometrist will discuss with you which tasks are important for you to accomplish that are challenging due to low vision. You will then be advised as to which lights are appropriate for different scenarios and how to set up your lighting in the optimal way. The low vision optometrist will give you different tips for specific tasks. For example, it is easier to watch television in a room that is lit, as opposed to a dark room. In order to check if there is glare on the TV screen you can turn the TV off and see if the light is hitting on the screen and then readjust.
There are many factors to keep in mind when you’re setting up your illumination. For example, when doing something requiring attention to detail, such as reading, you don’t want the light to be too far away as too much distance means less illumination reaches the page. The further away that the light is placed, the more powerful it will need to be. Conversely, having the light too close to the page can be overpowering and make it harder to read.
It is advisable to have directional lighting such as floor and table lamps, which have an effect on the surfaces where you read or need improved lighting. Adjustable stands are recommended, as they grant increased flexibility regarding the angle the light is at. Very often, low vision optometrists will recommend lighting that is adjustable which allows you to bring the lamp closer or farther away as needed. Keep in mind that sometimes when you bring a lamp very close to you, the heat emitted could become uncomfortable. A good tip to solve that issue is to use a lamp with a double shade, also known as an internal reflector which reduces the level of heat and allows the user to keep the light in the precise position needed, even if that’s close to your face. Also, you might want to avoid using a metal shade for a lamp that is placed close to you because it can become very hot.
Specific lights can also be placed in key areas where they’ll be needed. For example, you can put lights by kitchen cabinets or work areas. In addition to adding direct lighting to your home or workspace, indirect lighting such as ceiling or wall lights are important. Increasing the amount of light in the hall, stairways, living room, and bathroom are important as they make it easier to navigate, especially for someone with vision loss. In addition to direct lighting, it is always recommended to improve the overall lighting to assist those with low vision. Dimmer switches and timers can also be utilized to control how much light is in a space at any given time.
Lighting is very important especially for people with low vision, though it can be a bit of a challenge, at times, to determine just what type of lighting, and which lighting devices you will need. A consultation with a low vision optometrist can help you make those decisions, and the low vision doctor can also recommend high quality lighting products specifically tailored to your needs and to your set up at home and at work. If you are experiencing low vision, you can contact Amplify EyeCare of Greater Long Beach at (562) 925-6591 to schedule a low vision eye exam and consultation, or you can click here Book an Appointment . Patients with low vision visit our clinic from all over California, and we are proud to be a leading provider of low vision services for patients from Bellflower, Long Beach, Lakewood, and Los Angeles.
I haven't actually used the optometrist side, so my review is limited to the vision therapy offered. This office was recommended by my occupational therapist for the treatment of my double vision following a stroke.
Love this location. I had a brain injury accident from day one one. All the team make you feel you still important and hope in the horizon after when the medical system fell you miserably. Dr. Ikeda very professional and very understanding about your issue. Two tombs up.
My husband and I were immediately impressed with Dr Ikeda. I was hit by a car while cycling which caused broken bones and three brain injuries. The brain injuries caused double vision. Dr. Ikeda examined my eyes and got me started on vision therapy with his occupational therapist who specializes in vision therapy. She (Chris) is absolutely great. I am impressed with the array of tools used to help recover my binocular vision. I am doing things I never thought were possible (balance boards etc). Chris pushes me and keeps me motivated. I really enjoy my sessions with her. The office staff is always friendly and they have a wonderful appointment reminder tool that makes it easy to keep my calendar up to date. I am happy the rehab center at Little Co. of Mary recommended them!!
The Vision Therapy is handled in a separate office through a different door from the shared waiting room. Chris, the vision therapist, has a wide and varied assortment of tools, equipment and resources to best evaluate and treat most vision issues. After just a few visits, my double vision became easier to control, using exercises developed during the therapy process. It was time well-spent.
I have been coming here since I can remember. I love it here. The staff is so amazing and nice. They explain everything they gonna do and never make you feel rushed. Dr. Ikeda has always been my doctor and I would never want another one. He is the doctor for my whole family and is always asking how everyone is doing. I am also so crazy about picking out my frames and have to try so many and each person who helps me take the time and lets me try them all on. I would never want to go anywhere else! I definitely would recommend this office to anyone looking for a great eye doctor.
This is not for the eye exam but for the frames selection portion. I brought my prescription from Kaiser here with my VSP insurance. The reception staff was very polite and professional. Manny helped me to pick out frames and explain my coverage. Very helpful and patient not like the individual at the other place I rated here on Yelp. I was running late and he still helped me and was not bothered at all. I am so glad I came here ..........very pleased.
Very professional staff and pleasant.
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