In winter, daylight hours are considerably reduced, and even during the day the low sun and cloud cover reduces available light, especially indoors.
The lower levels of light can make reading and close tasks more difficult, especially for older people and those with existing vision problems. As we get older the amount of light entering the eye is reduced and we need more light to help the eyes to function as well as they can.
Extra light can help with tasks like reading, writing, sewing, knitting and hobbies. In general, lighting for these sorts of activities should be as close as possible without blocking your view, and be flexible enough to direct exactly where you need it most.
While ordinary ceiling lights and table lamps are fine for general room lighting, for task lighting it is better to have a lamp specifically suited for the task.
Some Types of Task Lighting
Simple adjustable tabletop task lamps are the most common type, and provide adjustable lighting that allows the light position to be moved to suit your needs. They come in a wide variety of designs, but need to be able to create a strong directional light that can be angled easily.
Floor standing lamps mean you do not need to have a table of the correct height, so are potentially more flexible for locating, although they can be heavy. Unlike standard lamps, floor standing task lights usually have at least one adjustable arm so the light can be directed correctly.
Some floor standing lamps have an additional arm with a magnifying lens attached. This is ideal for close or intricate work, or for those with low vision. It allows for maximum visibility, but leaves both hands free.
Battery powered lamps give much more flexibility in positioning, and can easily be taken with you while travelling, for hospital stays, visiting friends and family or just as you move from room to room. Some use built in rechargeable batteries which can be cost effective, while others use the standard disposable batteries.
Hand held lights are designed to produce a strong white light for occasional tasks, like reading labels and prices, and are small enough to be slipped into a pocket or purse. For small text, of course, a hand magnifier with a built in light may be a better option.
Bookstand lights are especially for those who enjoy reading, but find low light levels strain their eyes and can also be helpful for holding recipes and instructions. By mounting a light directly above a bookstand, it is directed exactly where it's needed without getting in the way.
Types of Bulbs for Task Lighting
Task lights come with different bulb types, such as traditional incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs, CFL tubes or LED Bulbs.
Most new task lights tend to use CFL or LED bulbs as these are much more energy efficient. They also produce a white light that is closer to daylight colour, leading to less strain on the eyes during extended use, such as reading.
Jonathan Elder is a web site writer for Splice Marketing. This article was written in conjunction with Rory McClenaghan, the Principal Optometrist at Southampton University Hospitals Trust who runs low vision clinics himself and is familiar with the problems and issues faced. He runs Vision Enhancers ( http://www.visionenhancers.co.uk/ ) which provides magnifiers and low vision aids to specialists and the general public. There is a wide range of task lighting for low vision available at http://www.visionenhancers.co.uk/Lighting/
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