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Illumination and Readability Issues in Indian Elders

This document discusses illumination and readability issues faced by Indian elders. It analyzes how age-related eye problems and low lighting affect elders' ability to read. The study measured illumination levels and reading postures of elders in different lighting conditions. It found that elders struggled more with reading when lighting was low. Increasing illumination, such as through additional artificial lights, improved elders' comfort with reading. The study suggests environmental design changes like better lighting can help address vision issues faced by the elderly.

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Avi J Iyer
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43 views5 pages

Illumination and Readability Issues in Indian Elders

This document discusses illumination and readability issues faced by Indian elders. It analyzes how age-related eye problems and low lighting affect elders' ability to read. The study measured illumination levels and reading postures of elders in different lighting conditions. It found that elders struggled more with reading when lighting was low. Increasing illumination, such as through additional artificial lights, improved elders' comfort with reading. The study suggests environmental design changes like better lighting can help address vision issues faced by the elderly.

Uploaded by

Avi J Iyer
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Illumination and readability

issues in Indian elders


Avinash Prabhune, Avinash Jayakumar, Edu Mohan, Shashank Sawant,
Arunraj R S
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN, IDC, IIT-BOMBAY.

Abstract
In a developing country such as India, the challenge of providing adequate
illumination to the burgeoning population is ever increasing. This
challenge is greater for the older section of society. The elderly face
increased difficulties due to age related disorders. This study is an attempt
to understand the issues causing problems in readability amongst the
elderly and explore the relation between illumination and readability.

1.0 Introduction

The human eye is complex tool that provides vital visual


sensory feedback to every human being. It affects the way human
beings function and live their lives. Human beings are susceptible to
a whole host of different problems that can affect the eye as they
age. Sometimes these problems can be corrected using lifestyle
changes,
surgical
or
medical
intervention.
Environmental
intervention through design (or re-design) can also mitigate
problems faced due to age related eye health issues.

1.1 The Human Eye


Before one can begin to understand the problems that can
affect vision, a basic understanding of the workings of the human
eye is required. The eye is an asymmetrical sphere, roughly one
inch in diameter. An image of the eye is shown below (WebMD,
2009).

Figure 1: Anatomy of the Eye

The part of the eye that can be seen from outside is composed of
the iris, a covering of the iris known as the cornea, the pupil in the
centre that controls the amount of light that enters the eye and the
sclera, commonly known as the white of the eye. The eye, except
for the cornea, is covered by a transparent sheet of tissue known as
the conjunctiva. Behind the iris and pupil, lies the actual lens of the
human eye. The lens helps to focus incoming light to form an image
at the back of the eye. Most of the eye`s interior is filled with a clear
gel called vitreous. Light goes through the pupil, the lens and falls
on the back of the eye. The inside surface of the eye is covered with
a light-sensitive layer called the retina. The retina converts the light
falling into electrical signals that are then interpreted by the brain.

The macula is responsible for central vision and the optic nerve
carries the electrical signal to the brain or interpretation. This is the
basic anatomy of the human eye (WebMD, 2009).

1.2 Common age-related eye problems


Older human adults face a range of problems with their eyes. A few
conditions are listed below (National Eye Institute USA, 2013):
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
The macula degenerates inside the eye, causing loss of central
vision.
Cataract
Clouding of the lens of the eye. Cataracts cause blurry vision and
increase susceptibility to glare.
Diabetic Eye Disease
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that causes
damage to the retinal blood vessels, leading to loss of vision.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that can damage the eye's optic
nerve and result in vision loss and blindness. It is usually associated
with high pressure in the eye and affects side or peripheral vision.
Dry Eye
Dry eye is when tear glands do not produce enough tears, or the
tears are of the wrong consistency and evaporate too quickly.
Low Vision
Low vision means that even with regular glasses, contact lenses,
medicine, or surgery, people find everyday tasks difficult to do.
Reading the mail, shopping, cooking, seeing the TV, and writing can
seem challenging. An Increase in illumination can often lead to
improvements in this case.
As mentioned earlier, the problem of age related vision loss can be
addressed by either behaviour changes, medical intervention, or
environmental changes through design. The following data was
hence collected to understand the impact of posture and reading
habits (behavioural component), eye health (medical component),
and typical illumination levels (environmental component).

(references:
(WebMD 2009; Accessed: March 4th 2013; http://www.webmd.com/eyehealth/picture-of-the-eyes)
(National Institute of Health, National Eye Institute USA, 2013 ; Accessed:
March 4th 2013 http://www.nei.nih.gov/healthyeyes/aging_eye.asp)
--- END OF AVI`S PART ---

2.0 Material and Methods


2.1 Subjects
The study was conducted in an old age welfare forum called "HELPAGE
INDIA" who were conducting a mobile medical camp for lower economic
classes of the society. The camp was conducted near Thane- Majiwada on
6th march 2013. A total of 5 persons above the age of 70 was interviewed
there.
Further studies on higher economic classes were done by a questionnaire
study for age group above 70 years in Powai, Mumbai 400076.

2.2 Instrumentation
1. A Lux Meter
2. Protractor

2.3 Procedure
The subjects were given a freedom to be in their preferred reading
position and reading material in three different postures. Once this data
was obtained, the intensity of light was measured by the lux meter in
three various conditions

With lights switched off


With lights on
With extra lights obtained either by additional artificial or natural sources;

And their comfort on reading the same material were surveyed. The data was
collected and compared with the standard light intensity data obtained. canada

2.3 Data acquisition and Analysis (Shashank)


Subject 1, 2, 3

Persona
Photo while reading book with reading angle

table 2.3.1 Condition: Sitting


Subjects
LUX Meter reading(UNIT)
1
2
3
1
2
3

table 2.3.2 Condition: Standing


Subjects
LUX Meter reading
1
2
1
2
3

table 2.3.3 Condition: Reclining


Subjects
LUX Meter reading
1
2
1
2
3

3. Results

4. Inference

5. Conclusion
6. References

Reading angle in Degrees

Reading angle in Degrees


3

Reading angle in Degrees


3

comparison bar chart with standard readability data

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