Tips for Low Vision

If you have a disease or condition that results in low vision, your eye-care practitioner may have prescribed strong glasses to help with reading and other daily tasks. To live more independently and productively, make a few practical changes to your immediate environment and invest in adaptive devices that can help you make the best use of your remaining vision.

Improve Lighting

• During the day, allow as much natural sunlight as possible into your home. Rearrange your furniture so you can sit near a window to read, work on hobbies and complete other tasks. Ensure that there is good lighting in all areas of your home, especially the halls, closets, stairways and basement. Use the brightest light bulbs recommended for all the fixtures. Avoid fluorescent lighting, which can cause glare. Instead, purchase full-spectrum bulbs or halogen task lighting, which allows for better comfort and visibility. In the kitchen, ensure that all items and surfaces are well-lit. Use illuminated and magnifying mirrors in the bathroom.

Improve Reading

• Find a comfortable, well-lit reading area. Wear your strong reading glasses or invest in a hand-held magnifier with a small reading lamp for better illumination. To free your hands, use a magnifier that can be mounted on a height-adjustable stand or attached to a chain and placed around your neck. Consider a reading telescope as another option. These telescopes can be hand-held or mounted on special eyeglass frames with nose pads and padded bridges. Consult your eye-care practitioner before purchasing any of these devices. He can advise you on the best alternative, based on your daily activities and the lens power you require.

Increase Independence

• Organize your life so you can easily handle many of your daily tasks. Whenever possible, invest in large-print items such as books, clocks, telephones and watches. Buy wide-lined paper and use large felt-tip pens to write notes. Convert all computer documents to a larger font before reading them. Copy and enlarge your address book and menus from your favorite restaurants. If you have trouble identifying bills, invest in a wallet that has separate pockets for different denominations. Use color-coded pill boxes.

Increase Safety

• Make your home accident-proof. Mark key positions on your stove, washer, dryer and other appliances with bright, dimensional fabric paint. This helps you feel the correct positions and use the appliances correctly. Use contrast, especially in the kitchen and bathroom. Ensure that all electrical outlets are visible by painting or replacing the covers in a color that contrasts with the wall. Use light-colored dishes on dark tablecloths, or vice versa. To avoid tripping, remove all throw rugs. In the bathroom, pick up the bath mat after each use and fold it over the tub.