Glaucoma

The living room's main dangers come from sharp angular furniture and slippery carpets or rugs. This is frequently the largest room, and as in all rooms, it is important to keep the space free of clutter to eliminate tripping hazards. With the proper adaptations, the living room can be a safe, comfortable place for relaxing and socializing.

• Select carpets that contrast in color with the furniture to make these items stand out more clearly.
• Slippery carpets can cause falls; therefore, ensure that edges and corners of carpets are taped or tacked down.
• Change or remove carpets that are worn or torn.

• Drape a towel or blanket in a contrasting color over the back of the sofa and chairs to help identify them.
• Position sofa or chairs along high-traffic routes to provide security, guidance and support in the case of a stumble.

• Remove furniture that has sharp edges, or cover edges with padding.
• Low tables can cause tripping accidents. Cover with a brightly colored cloth to make them stand out from surroundings.

• Maximize the use of available light sources, but ensure that the intensity of lighting is appropriate. Some people will require brighter lighting, while others will be more sensitive to glare and will need softer lights.
• Install dimmer switches or three-way switches to permit adjustment to more or less light as required.
• Place a lampshade over bare bulbs and position lamps properly to avoid glare from reflective surfaces.
• Consider removing floor lamps to create more clear space and prevent collisions.

• Consider using stronger bulbs, without exceeding the recommended number of watts, for safety reasons.
• Fluorescent lighting may be used, although the strobing effect and glare may cause problems.
• Consider using halogen lighting, which is bright but diffuse, therefore minimizing glare.
• Depending on the specific type and degree of vision impairment, a lamp with a shade that lights a specific area might be preferable to a ceiling light.

• Avoid glare by positioning the television and guests away from windows. A bright background can make it more difficult to see objects clearly.
• Sit as close to the television as necessary.
• Keep a light on in the room when watching television. Position the television to avoid reflected glare from the lamp or natural light from the window.

• Maximize use of available light sources, including natural daylight.
• Adjust curtains or blinds to control the amount of sunlight entering the room.
• Position furniture, including the television, to avoid direct or reflected glare.

• The drawstrings should contrast with the color of the curtains to make them easier to locate.
• Adjust to allow more sunlight to enter the room or to filter out glare from the outside.