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Lighting Tips for Low Vision
Newswise — Eyesight can fade over time because of aging or an eye disease. The December issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter offers tips to help compensate for low vision:
Around the house:
-- Reduce differences in brightness -- Equalize indoor and outdoor light sources by leaving some house lights on during bright sunny days.
-- Reduce glare -- Cover shiny surfaces, such as a polished table, with a cloth. Dark-colored place mats can help at mealtime. Opt for furnishings with a flat or matte finish.
-- Light up dark spots -- Install lighting in dark areas, such as inside closets. Keep a pocket flashlight handy for dark areas.
For better close-up vision:
-- Use bright, direct lighting -- Position an adjustable lamp about four to eight inches from reading material or a close-up task. Keep the lamp slightly to one side to reduce glare. If possible, position the light over the shoulder on the side of the better-seeing eye.
-- Use daylight -- To take advantage of natural light, position yourself so that windows are to the side or behind you.
-- Use a dark background -- When reading, reduce glare by using a piece of dark construction paper to cover areas of text you're not reading at that moment.
Mayo Clinic Health Letter is an eight-page monthly newsletter of reliable, accurate and practical information on today's health and medical news. To subscribe, please call 800-333-9037 (toll-free), extension 9771, or visit www.HealthLetter.MayoClinic.com.
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