Light for Sight

COTSS–Housing Conference 2010

Anthony Slater

Lighting Development Manager

Thomas Pocklington Trust

Summary

Prevalence of sight loss Importance of lighting Lighting equipment Lighting adaptations Supporting materials and services

Prevalence of sight loss

Best estimates - registerable– 13% of those aged 75+ have serious sight loss

(600,000 people) – 33% of those aged 90+ have serious sight loss

Sight loss is a normal part of ageing– 13 million people in UK over 60

Specific eye conditions can make this worse– incidence increases with age

Prevalence of sight loss

Sight loss affects everyday lives of 2 million people in UK

Secondary to main reason for referral Most people with sight loss have some

residual vision Lighting can help people to make the most of

their vision

Pocklington research

Findings from home visits – Low levels of lighting– Glare from light fittings– Slow adaptation to different levels– Poor control– Lack of available information / support

Assessments and adaptations to general lighting and task lighting in over 100 homes

Good general and task lighting

Daylight

Control with blinds – Vertical slats control direction of light entering– Net curtains can become glare source

Keep curtains clear of window Reduce external obstructions Keep windows clean Light coloured sills and frames reflect light

into room

Improve energy efficiency

Replace incandescent tungsten filament with – Tungsten halogen – Compact fluorescent

Compact fluorescent (CFL)

Plug-in

GlobePearCandleSpiralDouble turnTriple turn

General lighting

Ceiling mountedDiffusing shades

– Even lighting– Avoid glare – Hide direct view of lamp

Free-standing lighting

Uplights– Light reflected from ceiling

Task lights

Task lighting

Adjustable task lights– Table or floor standing– Table clamp or heavy base– Fluorescent are cooler

Portable task lights– Rechargeable battery

Ceiling or wall mounted spotlights Under cupboard lights

Lighting adaptations

Improve general lighting levels– dimmable high frequency fluorescent in kitchen– brighter lamps (CFL) in diffusing shades– additional lights

Add task lighting– fluorescent lighting under kitchen cupboards– mirror/shaver lights in bathrooms– lighting in wardrobes and walk-in cupboards

Hallway and stairs

General lighting– Good level– No glare– Reveal steps

Task lighting– Telephone

Good contrasts– Surfaces

Hallway

Kitchen

Kitchen

Bathroom

Bathrooms

Bedroom

Cupboards and wardrobes

Wardrobe

Multiple light sources

Multiple light sources - traditional

Communal areas

Lighting - Top tips

Tasks and movement around the home Amount of light Control – switching and dimming Diffuse, even lighting, no dark shadows Multiple light points No glare – no direct view of lamp

Lighting adaptations - Top tips

Avoid disruption to decoration Use existing fixed wiring points Add lighting track for additional ceiling lights Use existing electrical sockets for task lights

– Use micro-trunking for wiring if needed

Convert existing twin sockets to triples

Lighting good practice guide

Lighting in new and existing homes Guidance on specification Case studies Checklists

Seven characteristics of good lighting

Lighting should always be: Appropriate to each person Sufficient for activity and orientation Even, across different areas Adjustable for flexibility Energy efficient and sustainable Simple to install Adaptable for the future.

Adaptations good practice guide

Practical guidance Adaptations Involving people Specific spaces Indoors and outside Checklists

Lighting booklet

Advice on lighting Non-technical

information Lamps and light fittings General lighting Task lighting Further sources of

help

Lighting training

One day workshop Lamps & fittings Demonstrations Practical exercises Case studies Design tools

Specifying lighting adaptations

Determine needs – Functional vision assessment

Assess existing lighting provision– Client’s “adaptations”

Determine possible adaptations Produce specification for electrician

Some lighting options

Living Room Wall lights for more even lighting, freestanding uplighters, additional ceiling lights in larger rooms

General Individual switches, dimmable where possible, good quality portable and adjustable task lights, judicious use of colour in decoration

Kitchen Under-unit lights to illuminate worktops, cooker and sink, better shades to reduce glare and shadow

Bathroom Mirror lights over hand basins, upgrade of shaver lights low-energy units

Bedroom Wall uplights above bedhead, internal lights in walk-in cupboards, better match between number of fittings and room size

Stairs Use of better fitting light shades to reduce glare, spot lights that highlight stair edges, high illuminance on landings

SOME LIGHTING OPTIONS

Lighting Specification Toolsnumber of lamps needed per room

200lux Tungsten Halogen GU10 MR16 CFLU 2D 2D MCFU MCFU

Target 100W 300W 50W 50W 30W 28W 38W 36W 58W

Length Width lumens Indirect

2 1 1270 1 1 2 1 1 1 0 0 0

2 2 2540 2 1 4 2 1 1 1 1 1

2 3 3810 3 1 6 3 2 2 1 1 1

2 4

2 5

3 1

3 3

3 4

3 5

3 6

4 1

Lighting for sight consultancy

Existing or proposed schemes Assessment of tenant need Survey of existing or proposed lighting Proposals for lighting adaptations Improved lighting gives:

– Increased independence– Decreased need for support– Reduced maintenance and running costs

Summary

Prevalence of sight loss Importance of lighting Lighting equipment Lighting adaptations Supporting materials and services

Contact details

Anthony Slater

Lighting Development Manager

Thomas Pocklington Trust

anthony.slater@pocklington-trust.org.uk

www.pocklington-trust.org.uk