Low-Vision Accommodations in Your Home

Overview

Reduced vision can be caused by many things. These include macular degeneration and glaucoma.

When you can't see as well, daily life can be more challenging. But you can do some things to stay as independent as you can and keep doing the activities you enjoy.

Use lighting

• Point lighting at what you want to see. Don't point it at your eyes.
• Add lamps where you need extra lighting.
• Avoid glare on screens and other surfaces. You can do this by moving furniture or closing blinds, shades, or curtains.
• Use dimmer switches to change the brightness of lights.
• Make your light switches easy to see. You can outline them with tape in a contrasting color. Or use plates in bright colors.
• Use good lighting in places where you could easily fall. These include entries and stairways.

Use labels

• Label things that are hard to recognize or that could be confusing. This might include medicines, spices, and foods. Use black letters on a white background. Or you can color-code the items.
• Mark the positions of the temperature settings you use the most on your stove and oven. Also mark the "on" and "off" positions.
• Mark the water temperatures you use on faucets in the kitchen and bathroom. To prevent overfilling a sink or bathtub, use waterproof markers or tape to mark the water level you want.
• To make raised marks that you can feel, try using dots of glue, Velcro tape, or a pen that creates raised writing.

Avoid falls at home

• Replace or remove any worn carpeting. Tape down or remove area rugs.
• Do not wax your floors. Use nonskid, nonglare cleaners on smooth floors.
• Remove electrical cords and other items from areas where you need to walk. Or tape cords down so you won't trip on them.
• Make sure furniture doesn't stick out into areas where you walk. Keep chairs pushed in under tables and desks. Keep all drawers closed.
• Keep doors fully opened or fully closed. Don't leave them halfway open or shut.
• Always hold the handrails when using stairways and ramps. If you can, paint handrails a color that contrasts with the walls. Make sure that they go beyond the top and bottom steps. Then you won't stumble if you miss a step.
• Keep a flashlight at the top and bottom of the stairs.
• Mark the edges of the top and bottom stairsteps with bright paint or tape.
• Ask your doctor about a home visit from an orientation and mobility specialist. This person can help make your home safer.

Use helpful technology

• Use a magnifying lens. You can buy ones that you hold. Or you can buy ones that attach to eyeglasses. Some have lights built in.
• If you have a smartphone or tablet, try using a magnifier app. It can make printed text and objects bigger so they are easier to see.
• Consider using a virtual assistant. Many devices have these, such as smartphones, tablets, or smart speakers. They can connect to smart devices in your home, such as lights and the thermostat. They can also tell you the time, give you a weather forecast, or answer other questions.
• Use a video magnifier system. These systems can make print, pictures, or other items bigger on a screen.
• If you have a computer:
  • Adjust the display. You can change how big the text and pictures appear. Then they will be easier to see and read.
  • You may want to try a screen reader. This is software that turns text, buttons, images, and other things on your screen into speech or braille. Also, your computer may already have an app that can read text, convert speech to text, and respond to voice commands.
• Use large-print items. These include books, newspapers, magazines, and medicine labels. You can also listen to recordings of books.
• Think about using devices made for people with low vision. Examples are clocks and watches that announce the time. There are also clocks, telephones, and calculators with extra-large buttons.

Stay active

• Let your doctor know which activities you'd like to do. The doctor can help you make a plan to be as safe as possible. And they can let you know if there are any activities that you need to avoid.
• Look for a gym or community center with programs and exercise equipment designed for people with low vision. Or try an app or online workout at home.
• Use a track or treadmill. Or ask someone to go with you when you walk or run.
• If you swim laps, use a pool that has ropes between the lanes.

Make a plan for transportation

• Talk to your doctor about driving. Some people can keep driving using special vision devices.
• Find out about public transit in your area, such as buses, trains, and carpooling programs. Try searching online, or call your local public transit agency.
• Get help with transportation, if you need it. The United Way, Lyft, and other programs will deliver food and give rides to work, grocery stores, and other places. Go online to 211.org to learn more.
• Ask friends, neighbors, or family members for rides.