Lighting and Colour Contrast at Home for Older Eyes

What happens to eyes with age

• Smaller pupils and clouding lenses mean the retina gets less light. A 60-year-old needs two to three times more light than a 20-year-old to see the same detail, and an 80-year-old needs more still.
• Slower adaptation to changes in light, so going from a bright room to a dark corridor leaves a person briefly blind.
• Increased glare sensitivity, because the lens scatters light. Bright windows, bare bulbs and shiny floors can be painful and obscuring.
• Reduced contrast sensitivity, so edges of steps, kerbs and objects of similar colour are hard to see.
• Reduced colour discrimination, especially for blues and greens.
• Eye diseases: cataract, glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease all reduce vision in specific ways; see cataract and daily life and glaucoma and macular degeneration: practical home support.
• Bifocals and varifocals can distort the view of the floor and steps; see reading glasses, bifocals and varifocals: falls and choices.

An eye test is the first step: see hearing and vision check-up schedule. But whatever the eye condition, better light helps.

Principles of good lighting

1. More light, but not harsh. Aim for bright, even illumination, with no deep shadows. 2. Layers of light. Combine general (ambient) light, task light for specific jobs and accent or night lights. 3. Reduce glare. Use diffusers, shades, indirect light and matt surfaces. 4. Avoid sharp contrasts of light and dark between rooms and on stairs. 5. Keep it consistent. The same brightness along a route avoids the blindness of sudden change. 6. Make switches easy: large rocker switches, at the door, beside the bed and at both ends of stairs. 7. Use natural light by keeping windows clean, curtains open by day and furniture arranged to benefit; but control glare with blinds or sheer curtains.

Choosing bulbs and fittings

• Brightness (lumens): for general living areas, choose brighter bulbs than usual; as a guide, an older person may need roughly 1.5 to 2 times the usual amount. Check lumens, not watts.
• Colour temperature: a neutral to cool white (about 3500 to 5000 kelvin) helps clarity for tasks, while warm white (2700 to 3000 K) feels cosy in living areas. Many people prefer a bright neutral light for reading and kitchens, and a warm one for evenings.
• Colour rendering: choose bulbs with a high colour rendering index (CRI 80 or above) so that colours look natural.
• LED bulbs are efficient, cool and long-lasting; choose non-flickering ones. Flicker can cause headaches and eye strain.
• Shades and diffusers: use frosted shades, avoiding bare bulbs. Position lamps so the bulb is below eye level.
• Dimmers can help adjust, but avoid making rooms too dim.
• Avoid single, central ceiling lights that cast shadows; add wall or standing lamps.

Task lighting

Lamps for specific jobs make a big difference.

• Reading and hobbies: an adjustable lamp that directs light onto the page from the side or behind the shoulder, not from the front; some have a magnifier; see reading lamp and lighting for older eyes and magnifier lamps.
• Kitchen: under-cupboard lights over the counter and a bright light over the stove and sink; see kitchen setup for seniors.
• Bathroom: bright, shadow-free lighting at the mirror and in the shower, with moisture-safe fittings.
• Bedside: an easy-to-reach lamp or touch lamp.
• Desk and sewing areas: a movable lamp.
• Medicine area: good light to read labels; see setting up a weekly medicine box.

Night lighting

Falls at night, on the way to the toilet, are especially common.

• Motion-sensor night lights in the bedroom, corridor and bathroom that switch on as you move, at a low, warm level; see motion-sensor night lights.
• Low-level lighting along the route, at skirting height, so it does not glare in the eyes.
• A bedside lamp within reach, with a large switch.
• A torch by the bed.
• Do not leave very bright lights on all night, which disturb sleep; use dim, warm lights.
• Keep the route clear of objects.

See also bedroom setup for night-time safety.

Stairs and steps

• Bright, even light on the whole stairway, with no dark patches.
• Switches at the top and bottom.
• Lights positioned so they do not cast the user's shadow over the steps.
• Motion-sensor or step lights at night.
• Contrast on the edges of the steps; see stairs, steps and thresholds.
• Outdoor steps: lights at the door and along the path.

Using colour contrast

Contrast means a clear difference in brightness or colour between adjacent surfaces. It helps people see edges, objects and boundaries, and is especially valuable for people with low vision or dementia.

Principles:

• Light against dark works best. A dark object on a light background, or the reverse, is easier to see than two mid-tone colours.
• Avoid busy patterns, which confuse people with poor vision or dementia, particularly on floors, which may look like holes or steps.
• Make important things stand out, such as door handles, light switches, toilet seats, grab bars and stair edges.
• Use matt finishes, to avoid glare.

Practical examples:

• Stair edges: contrasting strips on the front of each step.
• Doors and door frames: a contrasting colour for doors, or for the frames and handles, so they stand out from walls.
• Light switches and sockets: a contrasting plate against the wall.
• Floors and walls: a contrast between floor and wall, such as a skirting board in a different tone, to define the edge of a room.
• Furniture: a chair that contrasts with the floor and wall, so it is visible and easy to find.
• Toilet and bathroom: a toilet seat that contrasts with the toilet and floor, grab bars that contrast with the wall, and a coloured mat; see dementia-friendly bathroom.
• Plates and cups: a plain plate that contrasts with the food, a dark mat under a white plate.
• Edges of worktops and tables: a contrasting edge strip.
• Medicine boxes and labels: large, bold print on a contrasting background.
• Steps outside: painted or marked edges.

Reducing glare

• Windows: use sheer curtains, blinds or window film to soften direct sun; do not seat your parent facing a bright window.
• Floors: avoid highly polished or glossy floors that reflect light; choose matt finishes or non-slip treatments.
• Bulbs: use shades or diffusers; avoid bare bulbs.
• Screens: adjust brightness and position TVs and tablets to avoid reflections.
• Glasses: anti-glare coatings and sunglasses outdoors; see best sunglasses for seniors.
• Shiny surfaces: glass-topped tables and mirrors can create glare and confusion.

Room-by-room tips

Entrance and hall: bright lights, a motion-sensor light, contrast on the threshold, no dark mats.

Living room: layers of light, a reading lamp, no glare from windows; see living room and seating setup.

Kitchen: task lights over counters, bright light, contrast between worktops and floor.

Bedroom: bedside lamp, night light, a light switch near the bed, curtains for sleep.

Bathroom: bright, shadowless light, contrasting fixtures, night light.

Stairs: as above.

Garden, balcony and terrace: lights on paths and steps; see garden, balcony and terrace safety.

Dementia and low vision

For people with dementia, good lighting reduces confusion and falls, and helps with orientation and sleep; see orientation aids for memory loss. Avoid shadows that look like objects, and floors that look like holes. For low vision, high contrast, large print and consistent lighting are essential; see low vision home safety.

Practical steps

1. Replace dim bulbs with brighter, glare-free LEDs. 2. Add lamps in dark corners and at the main chair. 3. Fit night lights in the bedroom, corridor and bathroom. 4. Add contrast strips to steps and edges. 5. Remove glare: curtains, matt floors, shades. 6. Clean windows and fixtures. 7. Check switches and replace small ones with large rockers. 8. Review with your parent: what is still hard to see?

When to ask a professional

An optometrist or ophthalmologist should check eyes at least yearly and whenever vision changes. A low vision service can advise on aids. An occupational therapist can assess the home for lighting and contrast; see occupational therapy home assessment. An electrician can fit lights and switches safely. Our care advisors can arrange a home visit and help with lighting.