​General Guidelines for Lighting Adjustments

  • Assess Individual Needs: What works for one person may be uncomfortable or even disabling for another. Always consult with the individual and consider input from eye care professionals, Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVIs), or Orientation & Mobility Specialists.
  • Adapt as Needed: Adjust lighting, filters, and positioning according to the student's changing needs throughout the day or in various environments (e.g., classroom, cafeteria, playground, vocational setting).

Reducing Glare

Glare can cause visual fatigue, discomfort, and reduced visual efficiency. The ideal lighting condition involves evenly distributed, diffused light on the task without any of it reflecting directly into the eyes.
Strategies to Reduce Glare:
  • Use blinds, curtains, or window film to block direct sunlight or glare from windows.
  • Avoid shiny tabletops, desks, and laminated surfaces; use matte or textured materials instead.
  • Choose non-glossy paper for reading and assignments to improve legibility.
  • Use light-absorbing desk mats or covers to reduce glare on work surfaces.
  • Place yellow or colored acetate filters over reading materials to reduce visual stress (available at office supply stores or from assistive tech vendors).
  • Avoid placing tasks directly beneath harsh overhead lights.
  • Position lighting so it illuminates the task from the side opposite the dominant hand.

​Classroom & Work-site Illumination

  • Task Lighting: Use adjustable task lamps to provide targeted lighting for reading, writing, or close work. Choose lamps with a swing-arm or gooseneck for easy positioning.
  • Dimmable Lamps: Lamps with rheostat controls (dimmer switches) allow individuals to adjust light intensity to their comfort level.
  • Indirect Lighting: Use lampshades, diffusers, or bounce lighting off walls or ceilings to soften harsh illumination.
  • Instructor Awareness: When addressing a student, avoid standing in front of a light source that may cause backlighting or silhouette effects. Position yourself so the student can view you clearly without facing the light.
  • Allow students who are light-sensitive (photophobic) to wear hats, visors, or tinted lenses indoors if needed.

Lighting Considerations for Students with Visual Impairments

​Lighting can significantly affect a student’s ability to access visual information, maintain comfort, and reduce fatigue. Understanding the benefits and limitations of different lighting types helps educators create environments that support optimal visual functioning.
Fluorescent Lighting
  • Pros: Provides even light distribution across large areas. Remains cool to the touch, making it safe for close proximity
  • Cons: May flicker, which can increase visual stress or fatigue. Can produce glare, especially problematic for individuals with cataracts, corneal issues, or reduced contrast sensitivity
  • Tips: Use light filters to soften harsh brightness. Seat students away from glare zones, particularly beneath or directly beside bright fixtures
Incandescent Lighting
  • Pros: Produces a warm, yellow light that many find soothing. Often better tolerated by individuals with light sensitivity
  • Cons: May not be bright enough for fine-detail visual tasks. Bulbs can become hot, requiring caution when using close-up lamps.
Full-Spectrum Lighting
  • Pros: Mimics natural daylight, which can enhance comfort and alertness. Provides higher contrast and improved color differentiation, helpful for students with certain visual conditions.
  • Cons: Not commonly available in standard overhead classroom fixtures. It can be intense or uncomfortable for students with photophobia or sensitivity to glare.
  • Best Use: Full-spectrum bulbs are most effective in adjustable task lamps, allowing students to control intensity and placement.
Halogen Lighting
  • Pros: Produces high-intensity white light that enhances contrast. Excellent for spot lighting or detailed tasks such as writing, crafting, or reading small print. Typically more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs.
  • Cons: Generates significant heat, requiring careful placement. May be too bright for extended use or for students sensitive to glare.
The optimal lighting setup will vary by student. Some benefit from bright, focused task lighting, while others require softer, diffused light to reduce glare and fatigue. Collaborate with the TVI and, when appropriate, the student to identify the lighting conditions that best support comfort, efficiency, and access.

​Strategies to Reduce Glare and Optimize Lighting

Thoughtful lighting adjustments can significantly improve visual comfort and access for students with visual impairments. Consider the following strategies when planning classroom environments:
  • Use louvers, banners, or light shields to soften overhead glare. These tools diffuse harsh fluorescent or LED lighting, reducing direct brightness. They can be installed over light fixtures or hung strategically to block glare without darkening the room.
  • Reposition seating to maximize visibility. Adjust the student’s seating so natural and artificial light enhance, rather than hinder, visual access. Avoid placing the student where light shines directly into their eyes. Position them to reduce reflections on desks, whiteboards, screens, or glossy surfaces.
  • Minimize glare from reflective surfaces. Add contrast borders around whiteboards or projection screens to improve visibility. Opt for matte-finish materials when possible to reduce reflection and visual washout. Angle or tilt whiteboards, devices, or desks slightly to decrease glare.
  • Provide access to varied lighting environments. Provide multiple work areas with different lighting options so students can choose the one that best supports their comfort and visual efficiency. Examples include:
    • A reading nook with soft, dimmer lighting. 
    • A work table equipped with a task lamp for focused illumination.
    • A general work area with balanced ambient lighting.

Final Tips​

  • Always consult with the student and relevant specialists before making major changes.
  • Conduct periodic lighting reviews, especially when classroom layouts or seasonal light conditions change.
  • Respect individual preferences--comfort and function should guide decisions more than standard practice.

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Additional Resources...

Make Great Light sells NaturaLux fluorescent light filters. Offers fluorescent light filters that eliminate UV radiation and reduce harsh glare. Their filters help transform standard fluorescent fixtures into full-spectrum lighting, which may reduce eyestrain and improve visual clarity for individuals with low vision.
Blue Waves Professional eye health forum is digital forum for international discussion on eye health and wellness, including the effects of artificial light and blue light exposure from electronic devices