The Importance Of Good Lighting

Good lighting is so important and we can advise on this.

A good level of well-positioned lighting is one of the most important aids to seeing well. One of the most useful aids to improving visual performance is a properly positioned lamp.

Task lamps

The most successful of these for people with a visual impairment is a fluorescent “daylight” type tube fitted into an adjustable table top or floorstanding lamp.   This type of task lamp is best positioned quite close to the page to be viewed.  When using a magnifier and a task lamp at the same time it is essential that the light  falls directly onto the page or task and NOT onto the magnifier, otherwise it may cause disturbing reflections of the light in the magnifier lens.

Reading lamp

Reading lamps are used from behind and positioned to shine over the shoulder and onto the task. Care must be taken to prevent glare and reflections.

Eccentric Viewing
Those with a central vision loss [often associated with Macular Degeneration] will need to learn an Eccentric Viewing technique in order to continue reading (even when using a magnifier). This allows the person to use a less damaged area at the back of the eye

If you find some of the letters in the beginning, middle or end of long words seem to be missing, or the letters appear to run into each other then you may find that by looking slightly to one side of the word you find where the clearest area of vision is. It is important to find which direction of gaze gives you best vision and having a good control your eye movement for this allow it to be more successful.  We can advise you regarding this

Low vision Aids (L.V.A.s)
If you been advised that your vision cannot be improved with spectacles or by medical or surgical treatment you may benefit from the use of a low vision aid. There are many types available, and too much magnification can be as bad as too little. You cannot damage your eyes by using the wrong type of magnifier but using the correct type can make such a difference. It is important that the pros and cons of each device are thoroughly explained to aid use.

We need to choose the minimum level of magnification needed when using Low Vision Aids. The magnifier will therefore be larger and the working distance longer, any slight movement of the magnifier will also be better tolerated.

There are many types of Low Vision Aids to suit all budgets and we will be happy to ecplain the options to you if required