How Senior Eyes Are Like Onions–and How That Affects Lighting

You may have heard that you need more light in the house as you get older. That’s one of the adjustments aging-in-place experts recommend for seniors. But have you ever wondered why?

An article about lighting trends in The Barnstable Patriot, a newspaper in Massachusetts, sheds light on the topic, so to speak:

Aging eyes have been compared to onions, with another layer of cells added to our lenses each year. As the lens thickens, less light reaches the retina, so older people need higher light levels to see better. …

Glare is another visual issue at this age. With thickening lenses, we become more sensitive to glare as the added layers scatter the light we see. This is why experts recommend linear fluorescent tubes installed near light-colored ceilings and walls and directed to provide bright, indirect, glare-free ambient lighting. This is true for all living spaces, including kitchens and bathrooms.

The article also talks about lighting colors that work better for seniors, and it gives ideas about how and where to incorporate more lighting. The portion about seniors starts about two-thirds of the way into the article.

For more remodeling ideas and tips for aging in place, click here.

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Leigh Ann Otte is a freelance writer who specializes in health and aging issues. She covers finding and paying for senior care for OurParents. If you have any questions about this post or need help finding senior-care options for a loved one, call 1-866-483-4896 to speak with a care advisor in your area.