LED lighting

Seanachai · 27-08-2015 5:24pm #1

Hi, I've been having headaches and vertigo which coincided with the lighting in my office been replaced with LED lighting. I wasn't a big fan of the fluorescent lighting and I'd read that the LED were supposed to be easier on the eyes. I haven't found this to be the case at all, my head is spinning at the end of the day. Has anybody had the same issues linked to this type of lighting?.

Mrs OBumble · 27-08-2015 5:39pm

Probably just co-incidence.

Go to your doctor, in case it's something more serious.

28-08-2015 8:02am

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Probably just co-incidence.

Exactly.

gctest50 · 29-08-2015 2:51am

if the LEDs ( / drivers ) are bad may cause it

one of :

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/photodetector-amplifiers/6424430/

hooked up to an oscilloscope would give an idea (in a head-to-head kinda way for the craic)

Irish_Elect_Eng · 29-08-2015 7:33pm

Any change in lighting in the workplace can impact your environment.

It mat not be the LED technology per-se, but the brightness, direction, diffusion etc may have changes how you perceive the lighting.

You should perhaps ask for a workstation assessment from your employer and highlight the issues that you have been having. There is usually something that can be done to improve the situation.

What level of lighting should be used when working with Display Screen Equipment?

Correct lighting arrangements are essential if eye fatigue is to be avoided. Suitable back ground lighting is required for VDU work to provide an appropriate contrast between the screen and the background environment and to avoid problems of reflection and glare. As a general rule, a level of lighting of 300 - 500 lux should be appropriate. If more light is required for reading documents, local lighting should be used. However the light from a table lamp etc. must not shine on the VDU or the immediate surrounding area.

Computer Eye Test
Computer users should think about attending an eye test when starting their employment with a new employer and on an annual basis thereafter.

Proper Lighting
Ideally, the ambient lighting of the surroundings in which you are positioned in front of the VDU should be about half that used in most work environments. Eye strain can be caused by excessive bright light from inside or outside so it's a good idea to position your monitor so that a window is to the site of your screen and NOT directly in front or behind.

Minimize Glare
Reflections in your screen can cause you to strain your eyes. Take steps to counter this by re-positioning your computer monitor to counter act this problem. If you are a glasses wearer, have an anti-reflective coating applied to prevent glare and reflections on the back side of your lenses reaching your eyes.

Seanachai · 31-08-2015 1:44pm

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Probably just co-incidence.

Go to your doctor, in case it's something more serious.

I had an eye test and saw my doc, I really don't think it's coincidence. I was away from work for a week recently and the symptoms went away, I was back in the office 30 mins and they were back. Even the optometrist said that my eyes were very bloodshot and she has had a number of people complaining about these lights. When I mentioned blue ray light she finished my sentence for me and said about the LED lights.

The closest way I can describe it is like being blinded by looking at the arc of a welder or a camera flash.

You can't switch them off either, they took away the bloody switches!, before I could turn the flo lights off above my head. I've ordered Gamma ray glasses that filter out the blue light and I'll see how that goes.

Mrs OBumble · 31-08-2015 2:43pm

Seanachai wrote: »

Even the optometrist said that my eyes were very bloodshot and she has had a number of people complaining about these lights. When I mentioned blue ray light she finished my sentence for me and said about the LED lights.

So you've ruled out other medical causes - that's the first step.

Now you have to get a medical report from the optometrist and doctor, and take it to the heath-and-safety people at work.

kirving · 10-09-2015 9:51pm

I have some cheap LED lights at home, and I can notice the flicker sometimes, it could very well be a factor, and not necessarily a coincidence by any means.

Seanachai · 11-09-2015 10:07am

I think there could be a backlash from these lights and some of them could end up being pulled out of offices. It seems like if somebody has warehouses full of something to sell then they'll find a way to push them on a company or local council etc.

I spoke to an optometrist and she said she's had office workers with the same complaint since having these new LED lights installed.

The study has some critics but people often don't factor in some people being that bit more sensitive to certain exposures. If further studies are done and the Spanish study is correct then there's going to be a lot of people with retinal damage that could have grounds to sue.

http://rcc.harvard.edu/eyecare-research

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2609957/Coming-street-near-lights-awake-make-people-ill.html

tk123 · 13-09-2015 8:50pm

I was the same in my last job with fluorescent lights over my desk. I grind my teeth at night and went to get a new splint - the guy just happens to be a headache specialist and it wasn't until he asked me tons of questions I realised I had a headache everyday that went away a few mins after leaving work. Anyways I spoke to facilities and they took the starters out of the lights - problem solved!

LED lighting

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