Eyestrain Caused by Fluorescent Lights

Glare occurs when light (either from a singular bright light source or from a more diffuse source) scatters across the entire visual field. This scattering of light across the retina's surface often dazzles the sight and greatly reduces the quality of image received by the retina. Glare not only causes your vision to be distorted, it can also be quite painful.  Under glare-filled conditions, your eyes are forced to continually attempt to distinguish the glare from the visual tasks. This leads to headaches, eyestrain, and fatigue. Glare is caused by a combination of an abundance of light as well as diffuse and specular reflections in your visual field.


Specular reflections include light that is reflected from polished, shiny objects within the field of view which causes visual discomfort. Diffuse reflections, on the other hand, are caused by light rays reflecting off of rough surfaces such as walls, clothing, or paper, Although reflections can affect both computer and non-computer tasks, computer users probably tend to experience the most significant impact of reflections. Glare has been shown to negatively affect a worker's level of productivity, absenteeism, performance and overall job satisfaction.


Teachers who have to deal with classroom glare have tried a number of solutions. Some have reportedly used Kraft paper over the fixture to eliminate the glare. Others have actually painted the plastic panel in order to combat the glare. Still others have tried using fabric "filters" over the lights to cut the glare. Unfortunately, these "remedies" are either ineffective, unsafe or both. These methods usually leave the classrooms too dark for normal visual tasking. They also violate local safety or fire codes.


According to the American Optometric Association, NIOSH, the Illumination Engineering Society (IES), the Human Factors Society, General Electric Corp., and other authorities, the average office environment requires only 20-70 foot-candles (fc) of light in order to perform computer and computer/paper tasks. Yet, in stark contrast, most work sites measure 80-120 fc of light!


While many think of carpal tunnel syndrome as the leading workplace complaint, vision-related problems are reported by 61-80% of those who work on computers for 6 or more hours per day.  When we think of stress in the workplace, we are likely to think about deadlines, overbearing supervisors, etc.  What must also be considered is the visual stress we put our eyes through each day.  If bright, glary lighting is present we tend to squint our eyes, causing our facial muscles to contract.  Over the course of the day, this can lead to a tension headache, eyestrain and visual fatigue.

What is the Solution?

You can take care of the problem at its source by using a NaturaLux™ Filter.   Whether you use a NaturaLux™ Overlay Lens, our NaturaLux™ Tube Guard Sleeve or our DirectaLux™ Tube Guard Sleeve,  you not only reduce the over-abundance of light to more acceptable levels; you also reduce the veiling reflections from the ceiling area. 

As you can clearly see, the BEST thing you can do to relieve visual stress, increase productivity, improve employee morale and provide them with a sense of well-being is to install our easy-to-use, NaturaLux™ Filters,

No matter how you look at it, NaturaLux™ Filters are good for business!


Copyright © 1999-2018  Kevin A. Kirschner All rights reserved

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