How to Make Your Home Safer If You Have Low Vision
According to the National Eye Institute, February is recognized as Low Vision Awareness Month. Low vision means partial sight that cannot be fully corrected with glasses, contacts, medication or surgery. Low vision can make everyday activities such as cooking, reading and writing very challenging; even the simplest at-home activities, such as walking up the stairs or reading the mail, may be tough.
Dr. Gregory Johnson, Dr. Gail Kelley and the team at Intracoastal Eye believe that everyone, including people with low vision, deserves to feel safe and happy in their own home. If you suffer from low vision, we have a few suggestions to help improve your safety, comfort and productivity at home.
Remove Hazards
Low vision increases the chance of bumping into or tripping over an object, or having an object fall on you — all of which can result in a devastating injury. One of your first steps toward adapting your home should be to remove obvious hazards.
For instance, you will want to do the following:
• create a clear walkway in main foot traffic areas
• secure rugs to prevent slips
• remove loose electrical cords from walkways or tape them to the floor or walls
• keep your desk chair and table chairs fully pushed in
• clear out unnecessary clutter
• ensure you have adequate lighting near your furniture
Improve Lighting
Speaking of adequate lighting, adjusting or updating your home’s lighting helps reduce the risk of an accident or injury. For your safety, ensure any stairs or bathrooms have good lighting. Place plenty of floor and table lamps around your reading and recreation areas. Swap out any burned-out light bulbs and experiment with different types of bulbs to see what suits your needs.
Create Noticeable Contrast
Clear contrast between objects can make them easier to identify. Place light objects against dark objects or backgrounds, and avoid patterns, which can be confusing to the eye. You can also swap out door knobs for some in a contrasting color, making them easier to spot. And, you might want to add bright tape along the edges of your stairs or flooring to make the delineation more obvious.
Stay Organized and Tidy
Finally, staying organized is a helpful way to feel comfortable and safe in your own home. When everything is in its intended place, it is easier to find what you need. Closet organizers or dividers can help keep your clothing organized. Labeling items in big letters can help you discern between food items that look similar. Clearing out clutter and leaving room between objects on shelves and in closets is also useful.
Contact Us Today
If you or someone you live with has low vision and you have questions about making everyday life safer and easier, Intracoastal Eye can help. Call or email us today!