This paper is a report on the subjective lighting needs of 225 subjects comprising younger and older normals as well as patients with cataract and glaucoma. Six single tests were performed to determine the lighting demand for various vision tasks and to choose the most pleasant light colour. From the findings, recommendations are derived as to the illuminance level for people with poor vision, the level of interior lighting when watching television in homes, and for relaxation. The colour of light preferred by all groups of subjects was 'warm white'.