Low Vision Tips

If you suffer from low vision, the December issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter offers the following tips to help:

Around the house:

• Reduce differences in brightness. Equalize indoor and outdoor light sources by leaving some house lights on during bright sunny days.
• Reduce glare. Cover shiny surfaces, such as a polished table, with a cloth. Dark-colored place mats can help at mealtime. Choose furnishings with a flat or matte finish.
• Light up dark spots. Install lighting in dark areas, such as inside closets. Keep a pocket flashlight handy for dark areas.

For better close-up vision:

• Use bright, direct lighting. Position an adjustable lamp about four to eight inches from reading material or a close-up task. Keep the lamp slightly to one side to reduce glare. If possible, position the light over the shoulder on the side of the better-seeing eye.
• Use daylight. To take advantage of natural light, position yourself so that windows are to the side or behind you.
• Use a dark background. When reading, reduce glare by using a piece of dark construction paper to cover areas of text you’re not reading at that moment.

Low Vision Resources:

• What Causes Low Vision?
• Definition of Low Vision
• Video: Low Vision

_{Source: MAYO Clinic Health Letter, Lighting Tips for Low Vision. Newswise, 9 Dec 2008.}