Diabetic macular edema (DME) is the leading cause of vision loss in people who have diabetic retinopathy, a complication of diabetes, according to the National Eye Institute. Caused by damage to the small blood vessels in the back of the eye, DME can put you at risk for a fall or other accident at home. That’s where a vision specialist can help.

“We can visit our clients at home and try to find ways to simplify their everyday routines,” says Kristen Shifflett, an occupational therapist who specializes in low vision at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. “For example, we can practice reading medication labels with them and help them distinguish between different colors of clothing.”

Adapting to changes in vision can take some time, she explains, but altering your living space to keep yourself organized and safe will help you gain the most independence. “You have to feel comfortable in your home environment, so you can take that confidence to the rest of your everyday activities,” Shifflett says. Here are a few modifications you can make to each room in your home.

In the living room

Whether reading, relaxing, or watching TV, you probably do many of your favorite activities in your living room. Try to keep it as well-lit as possible.

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Source: EveryDayHealth