Glaucoma

The stairs should be the best-lit area in the home to prevent tripping and falling. Proper lighting and marking systems can help make stairways and halls safer for the visually impaired. It is essential to avoid cluttering this area with shoes and other items that can cause tripping.

• Put wide strips of brightly colored fluorescent or reflecting tape on each step. Cover the whole width of each step.
• Use a different color on the top and bottom landings to distinguish between the beginning and ending of the staircase.

• Paint the handrail in a contrasting color, so that it stands out clearly from the wall.

• Paint or wallpaper the walls and ceilings with light colors to brighten up this area for maximum visibility.
• Avoid colors that are too bright or harsh, as well as overly busy patterns, which might contribute to eyestrain.
• If glare from the walls is a problem, use matted paint or patterned wallpaper, which will absorb, rather than reflect, light.

• Consider installing track-lighting for long hallways.
• Use contrasting colors to help make light switches stand out from the walls. Obtain luminescent switches or use colored tape, if necessary.
• Install a rheostat or dimmer switch. This allows a person to adjust the brightness of the light to the desired level according to specific needs and time of day.

• Keep doors closed whenever they are not in use to eliminate the risk of colliding with them. Consider installing sliding doors.
• Eliminate clutter and tripping hazards by storing all items, such as shoes, in a safe place.

• Always close doors after use to avoid accidentally walking into a half-opened door.
• Paint the doors and the door handles in contrasting colors to make them stand out from the surrounding walls.
• A doorsill or threshold can cause tripping if it is more than one-quarter inch high. If possible, have it removed, or mark it with brightly colored tape or paint.

• Paint doorframes in a contrasting color to highlight the location of the door.

• Avoid highly polished floors, which can produce slipperiness and glare. Cover with runners, if necessary.
• Avoid stripes, checkered or other patterns, which can be visually confusing and cause eyestrain and optical illusions.