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Low Vision Tips
If you or someone close to you has low vision due to glaucoma or another eye disease, here are some simple tips to help continue living an active daily life.
Improve Lighting — Add additional light for specific tasks. Use directed lighting from behind the shoulder to reduce glare. Be sure that bathrooms, kitchens, hallways, closets, and stairways are well lit.
Increase Contrast — Pour your coffee into a white cup, and your cereal into a dark bowl. Set white plates on dark place mats. Use a black cutting board for white onions and a white cutting board for dark-colored foods. Use felt tip pens instead of ball point pens.
Control Glare — Wear amber or dark yellow glasses or clip-ons to reduce glare, and wear a cap with a brim or a visor outside. Cover shiny surfaces with a cloth.
Get Organized — Always keep your money, keys, and medications in the same place to make them easier to find. Have a designated place for everything in your home, and request that others in the household respect and maintain the organizational system.
Enlarge Text — Request large-size checks from your bank. Use large print crossword puzzles and playing cards. Photocopy and enlarge favorite recipes, addresses, and take-out menus. Use the accessibility features on Macintosh and Windows computers.
Mark and Label — Mark key positions on your stove, microwave oven, washing machine, and thermostat with dimensional fabric paint or nail polish so you can feel the correct positions. Label spices and medications with a dark marking pen. Carry your address labels with you to use when filling out forms.
Listen to Books — Listen to audio tapes and books on CD borrowed from your local library, or from the free Talking Books program sponsored by the National Library Service.
You may also consider visiting a low vision specialist who can help you to get organized and assist you in maintaining your independence. For more information, see our Low Vision Resources page.
This article appeared in the May 2007 issue of Gleams. Subscribe