How to choose the best light for your sight condition
For the past 20 years, The Daylight Company has worked closely with the RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind), local Macular Societies and low vision clinics in the UK, Europe and US, to understand the needs of people with sight loss.
The five most common causes of reduced vision are Macular Degeneration, Retinitis Pigmentosa, Diabetic Retinopathy, Cataracts, Glaucoma and one out of three people over the age of 75 is affected by Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).
Everyone experiencing these conditions can benefit from appropriate lighting, though the kind of light may vary depending on the condition. Our accumulated knowledge, together with continuous research, is the basis on which we design products for the visually impaired. A high quality light source can make a dramatic difference to everyday tasks, such as reading, preparing food, eating and pouring drinks.
Here’s what you need to consider when choosing the best light for sight loss conditions:
1. Is the light bright enough?
Light output is measured in Lux and indicates the amount of light emitted from the light source onto a surface. Usually the brighter the light, the better, however this is not always the case as it depends on the sight loss condition.
2. The optimal colour temperature
Colour temperature is measured in in degrees Kelvin (K) and normal (tungsten) lighting has a yellow/orange colour and is about 2700K. The colour of average midday light is white and around 5,000K to 6,500K. This is regarded as the healthiest light. Light sources of 5000K to 6500K are most likely to benefit the majority of people with sight loss, although this can vary depending on the condition.
3. Is there minimal glare?
Glare is a major problem that results in reduced vision, tiredness and irritation. To minimise glare, avoid lamps that give out excessive light and where the light source is directly visible to the user’s eyes during normal use. Being able to dim the light and having colour temperatures options will reduce glare.
4. How much heat does the light emit?
As you may be reading or performing tasks in close proximity to the lamp, it is vital that the lamp emits as little heat as possible. LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are ideal as they give off less heat than other types of lighting such as tungsten or halogen.
5. Can you position the light easily and comfortably?
Your light should be able to be maneuvered and positioned easily with a reach (arm length) according to your requirements.
Our Product Development team have taken all these requirements on board to create the Tricolor lamp, specifically designed to help those with sight loss conditions:
