Can’t See? Start With Lighting!

We all know that our vision can be corrected using glasses or contact lenses but did you ever think that a simple change in lighting may do the trick? Did you also know that proper lighting is just as important as magnification in achieving optimal vision? Combine magnification with great lighting and you will really be blown away! [subject for another blog entry…]

Even though anyone who has fumbled for a light switch in the middle of the night realizes that lighting is essential for vision, it’s not often the first thing we adjust when our seeing ability is less than ideal. Before reaching for your reading glasses, next time try simply adjusting your light source. It’s all about the contrast. Have you ever seen a starry sky in the middle of the day? Neither have we and it’s all because of the lack of contrast at noon when the sun is hogging the spotlight (literally).

In some cases, you may even want to dim your lights. Depending on your lighting situation, this may actually improve your vision by reducing glare and increasing the contrast if, for example, you are working on a light colored needlepoint pattern.

Lastly, remember to play around with different types of light bulbs. Between the three main kinds, incandescent, halogen and fluorescent, it is worth it to test them out and see which works best for you. You can even try LED headlights for specific activities.

So…check lighting first if your eyes are giving you trouble! It is so often overlooked and yet so easy to correct.