LIFE WITH MACULAR DEGENERATION
Life with Macular Degeneration: How Smart Home Modifications Support Aging in Place
Vision loss from macular degeneration can be challenging, but it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your independence or comfort at home. With the right home modifications, you can create a safer, more accessible environment that supports your daily life and well-being.
September 8, 2025
6 min read
Written by
Hannah Glick, AuD, PhD, CCC-A
What Is Macular Degeneration and How Does It Affect Vision?
Macular degeneration is an eye condition that damages the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. This condition often leads to blurred or dark spots in your central vision, making it harder to see faces, read, or focus on fine details. Although peripheral vision usually remains intact, the changes can significantly impact how you navigate your home and perform everyday tasks.
Common Vision Challenges at Home with Macular Degeneration
Living with macular degeneration often means facing daily obstacles such as difficulty seeing stairs or thresholds clearly, dealing with glare from shiny surfaces, struggling to find objects, or reading small labels. These challenges increase the risk of falls and can reduce your confidence moving around your home.
Simple Home Modifications to Improve Safety and Comfort
You can start improving your home environment today with these practical changes:
Enhance Lighting: Use bright, even lighting in kitchens, bathrooms, and hallways to reduce shadows and improve visibility.
Reduce Glare: Apply matte finishes on walls and floors and use adjustable window coverings to manage sunlight and reflections.
Declutter Pathways: Keep walkways clear to avoid tripping hazards and organize belongings in consistent, easy-to-find spots.
Add Contrast: Use contrasting colors on edges of stairs, doorframes, and countertops to help distinguish surfaces.
Use Large-Print Labels: Label medicine bottles, switches, and cabinets with bold, easy-to-read fonts.
Professional Aging-in-Place Modifications for Vision Loss
For more extensive support, professional modifications can significantly enhance your home’s safety and accessibility:
Task Lighting: Install adjustable lighting for detailed activities like reading and cooking.
Contrasting Handrails and Grab Bars: Guide safe movement with visible support features.
Non-Slip, Low-Glare Flooring: Prevent falls and reduce eye strain from reflective surfaces.
Widened Doorways and Room Layout Adjustments: Accommodate mobility aids and create clear pathways.
Smart Home Technology: Utilize voice-activated lighting, appliances, and alert systems to reduce dependence on vision.
Why Choose Onni Home for Aging in Place with Macular Degeneration?
As a trusted, family-owned company serving Boulder and Jefferson County, Colorado Onni Home offers personalized home safety assessments tailored to your vision needs. We develop customized renovation plans and manage every detail from design to installation. Beyond modifications, we connect you with community resources and assistive technologies to support your independence.
Prevent Falls and Increase Confidence with Vision-Friendly Home Design
Falls are a leading safety concern for people with vision loss. Our home modifications focus on minimizing hazards and improving visibility so you can confidently move throughout your home.
Ready to Make Your Home Safer and More Supportive?
Living with macular degeneration can be challenging, but you don’t have to face it alone. Onni Home can help you explore simple changes that can help you feel safer, more comfortable, and more independent in the home you love.
