One proverb says, "It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness." That sounds just about right.
But in place of a candle, we'd recommend a couple of 1,600 lumen, energy-efficient bulbs (equivalent to two old-style 100-watt bulb), especially if you're 60 or older.
By the time you hit late middle age, your retina needs more light to see specific tasks clearly. In fact, at age 60 you need about three times as much light on an object to see it as well as the average 20-year-old does.
The solution? Adjust your lighting so that you don't strain your eyes or miss something important (everything from that spot on the front of your T-shirt to the small print in your medication instructions).
Turn on your table lamp and peruse our suggestions:
1. Increase ambient light at home and in the office. For instance, open blinds and curtains so natural light comes in. And use indirect lighting from floor and table lamps to get a soft, full glow (no shadows).
2. Get targeted LED spots for specific tasks, like threading a needle or reading.
3. At home, use automatic on/off switches to keep an even light level throughout the day. And use motion sensor lights that come on whenever you enter a room — no missteps in the darkness!
4. Reduce glare by eliminating bare bulbs in overheads or chandeliers. You also can reduce glare by putting runners or tablecloths over highly shiny surfaces such as metal, glass or polished stone.
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