Visual comfort

Creating good lighting might seem simple at first, but it can easily go wrong if not used correctly. It’s a common mistake to think that making everything very bright will improve vision. In fact, too much light can cause glare and reduce contrast, making it harder to see comfortably.

If you’ve ever stood in a bathroom with bright white LED lights, surrounded by a white porcelain sink and shiny white tiles, you’ll know how tempting it is to close your eyes. That dazzling, uncomfortable feeling is what many children with visual impairments struggle to describe. At best, it’s uncomfortable and at worst, it can completely disrupt their ability to see anything clearly. This is why many children tend to give up.

There are two main types of glare:

• Discomfort glare causes eye strain and makes you want to turn away from the light source.
• Disability glare actually interferes with vision and washes out detail, making the whole environment extremely difficult to see.

Lighting and Glare Management Resources 

• Macular Society Lighting Guide
• RNIB Lighting Shop
• Pocklington Lighting Guide
• School Zone: Part Sight
• Perkins Lighting Guide

Imagine trying to read an old newspaper where the small, faded grey print sits on a light grey background. It’s almost impossible to make out the words without straining. That’s what many children with visual impairment experience when the contrast isn’t distinct. Similar problems happen with pale writing on pastel paper, light-coloured toys on light carpets, or white text on a pale wall.

Contrast simply means how much one colour stands out from another, and it’s one of the biggest factors in how well a child can see and use their vision.

On a basic colour wheel, colours that are opposite each other (like blue and orange, or yellow and purple) have the strongest contrast. When colours are too similar (such as light green on yellow) details can disappear, even for children with healthy vision.

Avoiding busy patterns is also important. A patterned background
can make it difficult for a child to find or focus on an object. Instead, keep backgrounds plain and use strong. Simple colour differences to help
items stand out.

Contrast Tips

• Simply making sure that text is dark and bold on a light background, or vice versa, works best.
• Avoid similar shades on top of each other for text and if possible, for images and diagrams.  
• Avoid lots of patterned or textured backgrounds, especially behind important information or objects.
•  On tablets or computers, experiment with different display settings. Some prefers white on black, black on white, or yellow on black. 
• You can add a filter onto most computers that matches the screen’s display warmth to the person’s location and time of day. A common software for iOS users is f.lux and for Android users is Twilight.
• Play mats or surfaces that contrast clearly with toys or materials can be useful indoors.
• Brightly coloured tape can be used on the edges of tables or doors to show contrast and avoid accidents.
• Dark food on light plates and light food on dark plates helps to avoid food accidents. Some parents have found bright blue to be a good colour for plates and cutlery, as this contrasts well from most foods.