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He wants our rooms to be too dim for my liking. I don't want either of us to trip over a cat or something else.

Provide sunglasses and make sure that he gets a thorough eye exam to rule out any treatable conditions.
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Reply to MACinCT
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Swanny, as we age there are a variety of different eye issues. Both hubby and I are at the beginning stage of macular-degeneration. Every day lighting was too dim for us so I am slowly changing over the light-bulbs from "soft white" to LED "daylight".


On the other side of the coin, outside light has become too bright for us, so time for some really cool looking prescription sunglasses. Even looking out the window on a cloudy day, it can bother our eyes.


My folks lived in a cave like environment, all shades, blinds, and curtain were closed. Don't know if it was eye related or "the sun will fade the carpet" related. Yet, in order for my Mom to read anything, she needed a flashlight, so go future.
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Reply to freqflyer
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My mom often needed glare reducing light amber sunglasses indoors because of sensitivity due to her macular degeneration, that might work for your husband as well.
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Reply to cwillie
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Swanny Aug 1, 2024
Thanks, I've never heard of them!
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My Dad is 96yrs with moderate/severe Lewy Body Dementia, and in just the past couple of weeks he's developed a sensitivity to light. I used to put the central light on for him while he ate his meals, and now he doesn't want it on, I've also noticed him not staying outdoors very long because "it's too bright" ? So he's in bed more because it's darker in there. It's my understanding that this is a sign of the disease progressing. Nothing you can do to change that. I hope you're able to find middle ground, or maybe just use a different space entirely. Take care.
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BlueHeron Aug 2, 2024
Interesting! We suspect my mother has Lewy, and she can't stand sunlight now.
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If DH has a particular place to sit, try it and see whether the lighting is different from the rest of the room. We bought a house with a hundred downlights, which light the top of your head but can make it hard to read if you aren’t just underneath. We’ve got attractive side lights for some places where we need more light. That might even work for you – probably cheaper to experiment with than special spectacles for him. And of course check whether you have actually changed the light sources in the room. Also whether the problems come at particular times of day, eg when the sun is setting and shines directly through a window - the sun position and trajectory changes with seasons. The winter setting moon used to shine straight through the bedroom window onto our pillows, and wake us up too early.

Just by the by, I’d get rid of the cats. Quite a few falls for elders come from tripping over pets that aren’t where you expect them to be.
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Reply to MargaretMcKen
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"Research suggests that increased light sensitivity may be a symptom of Alzheimer's disease and could contribute to the disease's progression. This sensitivity may be a factor in "sundowning," a debilitating symptom that can occur in the late afternoon and evening and is characterized by confusion, agitation, anxiety, and mood swings. Sundowning can make it difficult for people with Alzheimer's to fall asleep and stay in bed, which can lead to sleep disruptions that may contribute to the disease's progression."

Some also attribute light sensitivity in dementia patients to "sensory overload".

Your dh, for whatever reason, is bothered by bright light. Perhaps you can sit in another room that's better lit while he sits in a dimmer lit room. I doubt you'll convince him a well lit room is safer.

Good luck.
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Reply to lealonnie1
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LED lights.
They are brighter but have less shadow than some other lights. And some of the LED's can be dimmed or even color adjusted. Maybe a different color light might help.
Has your husband had an eye exam in the past year? If not it might be time.
Tinted glasses might help him. Or even full on sunglasses. There are many people that have sensitive eyes and sunglasses do help. (drives me crazy if I can't see a persons eyes when I am talking to them but I understand if it is painful)
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Reply to Grandma1954
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Do you know why he dislikes lighting ?
If it’s sudden and you don’t know the reason , maybe he should go to the ophthalmologist.

In the meantime , maybe get his glasses tinted alittle . Or buy slightly tinted glasses .

Sort of like the cold person puts the sweater on so both people can be comfortable rather than changing the setting on the thermostat and one person being hot .
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Reply to waytomisery
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