July 2014 


LIGHTING AND THE AGING EYE

A contributing factor to patient/resident falls can be linked to the normal aging of eyes. As we get older we experience changes in our sight including,
  • Limited Visual Enhancement
  • Reduced Visual Fields
  • Glare Discomfort
These normal changes make it more difficult to discern between different flooring materials, doorway or threshold locations, or where a grab handle starts. Increasing the contrast through lighting is critical to helping patients and residents move freely and confidently. In addition to these normal changes, many individuals experience diseases of the eye such as;
  • Diabetic Retinopathy
  • Cataract
  • Glaucoma
  • Macular Degeneration
These diseases make it more challenging for individuals to navigate the environment around them, putting them at an increased risk of falling. 
The photos below show how a grab bar may look at night to an individual with poor eye sight. As the photos illustrate, adding a low level LED light to the grab handle increases contrast and the ability to see the grab handle in a dark room.

   
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