As we age, our eyesight undergoes several natural changes that can affect the amount and type of lighting we need to see effectively. It’s essential to make sure the lighting in and around your home is up to scratch and suitable for your needs. Here, we’ll explore the changes that happen to our eyes as we age and suggest some practical lighting solutions to address these changes.

Changes to Ageing Eyes

Ageing causes our eyes to change in several ways, impacting our ability to perceive light and effectively see the world around us. Here are some of those changes.

1. Lower Light Sensitivity –

In older adults, the retina in the eye becomes less sensitive to light. This means that we need more light to see clearly.

2. Slower Adaptation to Changes in Lighting –

As we get older, our eyes become slower to adjust to changes in lighting. This can make it difficult to move between areas with different levels of brightness.

3. Increased Glare Sensitivity –

As we age, we become more sensitive to glare caused by bright lights or reflective surfaces. This can make it uncomfortable to be near bright direct light sources or near windows.

4. Less Visual Acuity –

Visual acuity is the sharpness of your vision. Ageing decreases this sharpness.

5. Lower Contrast Sensitivity –

Ageing makes it more difficult to distinguish between shades of gray or between similar colors. This also changes the way we perceive shadows.

6. Changes in Color Perception –

As we get older, our perception of color can change. This means that some colors may appear more muted or less vibrant than they used to.

7. Muscles That Control the Pupil Weaken Creating a Slower Response to Lighting Changes –

Ageing causes the muscles that control our pupils to weaken, making it more difficult for the eye to adjust to changes in lighting. It also results in less light entering the eye, requiring brighter lighting or more light to see well.

Lighting Solutions for Ageing Eyes

There are a number of solutions your electrician can implement to improve your ability to see in your day to day life. Here are some of those solutions.

1. Add Task Lighting –

Task lighting is a type of lighting that is directed towards specific tasks such as reading, cooking or working on hobbies. This type of lighting is an important addition to any room, especially as you age. You can add light with lamps or have additional lighting installed in areas where you typically engage in these tasks.

2. Make Ambient Lighting More Uniform –

Ambient lighting is the main source of light in a room. As we age, it is important to ensure that ambient lighting is consistent throughout the room and the home to reduce eye strain and improve visibility. Make sure that all bulbs are the same color and brightness and ensure that light fixtures are evenly distributed throughout the room. This could mean having additional light fixtures installed, especially ceiling and recessed lighting.

3. Incorporate Brighter Lighting –

As we age, our eyes require more light to see comfortably. Consider replacing standard light bulbs with brighter LED bulbs or adding additional light fixtures to rooms where more light is needed.

4. Minimize Glare by Increasing Indirect Lighting –

Glare is a major problem for many people as they age. A good way to reduce glare is to increase the amount of indirect lighting in your home. This can be achieved by bouncing light off walls or ceilings, or by installing matte shades on lamps to diffuse light comfortably.

5. Install Adjustable Lighting/Dimmer Switches –

Adjustable lighting allows you to control the amount of light in a room. Dimmer switches are a great addition that allows you to adjust brightness levels throughout the day. This is especially useful for activities such as reading, where you might need more focused lighting.

As you age, it is important to ensure that your home is well-lit to improve visibility and reduce the risk of accidents. Carolina Cool’s electricians are lighting experts who can help you install any kind of lighting solution you need to see your home and surroundings as effectively as possible. Our lighting needs change as we grow older and you can count on Carolina Cool to install lighting that meets those needs.