AGING EYE
Trish Odenthal Lighting Design - Aging Eye Lighting
"Scientists agree, as we age, we need more light. Good lighting can increase safety and the quality of life for seniors and the visually impaired." Trish Odenthal
Simulation of the amount of light reaching the retina
at age 20 and at age 60.
Typical 20-year old sees 100% of the available light.
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Typical 80-year old sees 33% of the available light.
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Good lighting can make the difference between seeing and not seeing for older adults with poor vision and between comfort and discomfort. Caregivers, allied medical professionals, and service providers can improve the quality of life of older people by recommending good lighting to mitigate some of the common problems associated with aging eyes. http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/lightHealth/AARP/healthcare/lightingOlderAdults/index.asp
Senior Lighting Checklist
Senior Lighting Checklist
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Task Lighting Solutions
Task Lighting
Night Lights - https://www.pinterest.com/trishodenthal/beautiful-night-lights/
Step Lights - https://www.pinterest.com/trishodenthal/beautiful-stair-lighting-interior/ Task & Reading Lights - www.pinterest.com/trishodenthal/beautiful-reading-lights-swing-arm-bedside-lights/ House Numbers - www.pinterest.com/trishodenthal/beautiful-illuminated-house-numbers-signage/ | ||
Additional Vision Resources for Seniors
Lighting Your Way To Better Vision
This brochure describes some of the changes that can be made to a home’s existing lighting to make it more comfortable and secure. The combination of regular, comprehensive eye examinations and quality environmental lighting can enhance the visual experience and maintain productivity for a lifetime.
S20 pages
Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) & American Optometric Association – IES CG-1-09 [click below for PDF]
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Lighting The Way: A Key to Independence
This publication answers common questions about vision and lighting posed by older adults, and offers practical solutions to help them, their families, and their caregivers to light their home for easier and more comfortable seeing.
28 pages
The Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute & AARP [click below for PDF]
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Age-Related Eye Diseases & Conditions at a Glance
Part of the NEI mission is to develop public and professional education programs that help prevent blindness, reduce visual impairment, and increase awareness of services and devices that are available for people with low vision.
2 pages
National Institutes of Health (NIH) [click below for PDF]
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The Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
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Since 1988, LRC has built an international reputation as a reliable source for objective information about lighting technologies, applications, and products, testing, demonstration, application, design, energy efficiency, and human factors.
"As one grows older, less light reaches the back of the eyes. The pupils get smaller and the lens inside the eye becomes thicker, absorbing more light. The lens also scatters more light as one ages, adding a "luminous veil" over images on the retina, which reduces the distinctness (or contrast) and sharpness of objects, and the vividness of colors." www.lrc.rpi.edu/ |
