“The eyes of seniors are different than the eyes of everyone else.”  Experts, Robert Soler of BIOS Lighting and Terry McGowan of the IEEE discussed vision optimization for seniors.  Randy Reid, the NLB Executive Director and Editor of the EdisonReport moderated the panel.

A great way to increase vision optimization, and quality of life, for seniors is through the use of circadian lighting.  Circadian lighting tries to replicate lighting outdoors and bring that lighting indoors.  This means bringing in brighter days and darker nights to seniors’ physiology which has been seen to result in less daytime napping, less nighttime wandering, reduction in Alzheimer’s progress, less sundowning, and less emotional outbursts.  One of the best ways to bring in brighter days and darker nights is by creating a brighter environment or a greater spectrum of lighting.

Today, there are more resources and information on lighting for the aging eye than ever before.  Assisted living facilities are adopting both color tuning routines, and the use of far-red wavelengths.

You may be asking yourself, “What can I do?”  Since lighting is very individual, if you have older eyes or know someone with older eyes, it is best to go through the experience of testing what lighting works best. The experts recommend actually going into lighting showrooms where someone with older eyes can physically test which lighting helps them see, and feel, best.

The eyes of seniors truly are different than the eyes of everyone else, and that is why it is so important to continue to research the effects lighting has on the aging eye.

Watch and listen to the panel discussion here.

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