Summarize
- LED lights reduce eye strain when used correctly
- Energy-efficient LED lights last longer than incandescent bulbs
- The colour temperature of LED lights affects eye comfort and sleep patterns
- LED lights are less dazzling than conventional luminaires
- Correctly positioned LED lights improve visual comfort and reduce stress
LED lights reduce eye strain when used correctly. Staring at screens for hours without relaxing your eyes can cause eye strain and fatigue. Lighting conditions seem to contribute to reducing eye strain at home and in the office. LEDs, or light emitting diodes, are an energy-efficient type of lighting that has been shown to have a number of benefits for eye health and alertness.
In this blog post, I highlight some interesting details from a few online articles based on scientific research. The articles discuss how the right type of lighting can reduce eye strain, and how lighting can affect alertness. We cover the topic from the colour temperature of lights to the timing of when lights are used. For a fresh perspective on how you can create an eye-friendly lighting environment, read on! I hope that you will get new ideas on the possibilities and uses that LED lights can have. I am not claiming that lighting alone has curative or disease-causing effects, we are not health professionals and LedStore as a company does not provide medical lighting.
Durability and energy efficiency of LED lights
Led lights, or light emitting diodes, are an energy-efficient type of lighting that has gained popularity in recent years thanks to its numerous advantages. Unlike traditional light bulbs, which produce light by heating the filament, LED lights produce light by the movement of electrons in a semiconductor material. This makes them much more energy efficient and also allows them to last much longer, with some LED lights lasting up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs. In addition, LED lights are available in a wide range of sizes and shapes, making them highly versatile and adaptable for use in different environments.
Led lights and eye strain
Today, people face challenges related to the constant use of blue light emitting displays and devices. It can cause eye strain, headaches and difficulty falling asleep during the evening and night. Eye strain can be caused by many different factors, such as glare from lights and displays, poor lighting conditions, poor quality or mismatched lighting equipment and viewing angle – even the way we hold our equipment in our hands can affect reflection and eye strain. These problems not only affect productivity and quality of life, but can also have long-term negative health effects. The good news is that with the right lighting environment, it is possible to reduce the risks to eye health.
7 good things about LED lights:
- LEDs have excellent energy efficiency, meaning that the lumens per watt figures are better than traditional light sources. So there’s enough light for the workstations.
- The white light from LEDs can emit different colour temperatures. If cold white feels overwhelming, you can change the tone of the light to a softer white.
- It is possible to manufacture lights in such a way that glare is well controlled, and still get enough light from the light source. For example, the production of LED panels has evolved in the direction of glare-free luminaires.
- Led also does not automatically mean that it emits a lot of blue light. Blue LEDs are particularly popular in displays as they are a cost-effective way to improve the contrast of the screen. This can be countered, for example, by. illuminate the back wall of the TV with a different shade of light to balance the lighting scheme.
- High-quality general lighting includes all wavelengths of white light, which smooths out the light coming from screens. Blue light can also be controlled, reducing eye strain and improving visual comfort.
- Led does not produce UV light, which is a big advantage compared to fluorescent tubes, for example. With the right LED lighting setup, it is possible to create a space that not only looks good but also supports our overall well-being.
- The power supplies used with LED luminaires have evolved in quality, which has a positive effect on the perceived light flicker, which can cause some people, such as those with a high level of fatigue, to lose their sense of balance. challenges for people who spend a lot of time in fluorescent lighting. We have written about the perceived brightness / flicker of the light in the PWM dimming article, where it is clear that we use a refresh rate of 750 Hz to 1000 Hz in our lights, i.e. they are so-called ” PWM dimming”. Flicker free transformers. In high refresh rate transformers, the light does not appear to flicker to the eye even when dimmed or dimmed down.
Comparison of different colour temperatures of LED lights
For LED lights, colour temperature refers to the colour temperature of light, measured in Kelvin (K). The colour temperature of the light source can vary from warm (low Kelvin) to cold (high Kelvin). The warm light, between 2700K and 3000K, has a yellowish-orange tint and is similar to the light produced by traditional light bulbs. It is often used in living rooms, bedrooms and other spaces where a cosy and relaxing atmosphere is desired. On the other hand, cold light, which is between 5000K and 6500K, has a bluish-white tint and resembles daylight. It is often used in workspaces, bathrooms and other areas where a bright and energising atmosphere is desired. The amount of light, i.e. the readings in a room, has a crucial impact on how lighting is perceived.
It is important to note that the colour temperature of LED lights also affects the body’s melatonin production and can have a direct impact on our sleep rhythm. For example, warm light is recommended in the evening and cool light in the morning and daytime.
LED lights are less dazzling than conventional lights
One of the main advantages of LED lights is that they are much less glaring than conventional lights such as incandescent and fluorescent bulbs. Glare is visual discomfort caused by strong or bright light sources and can be a major cause of eye strain, headaches and visual fatigue. LED lights inherently emit light directionally rather than in all directions like traditional lights, which reduces glare and makes them a better choice for spaces where eye strain is a problem, such as reading rooms, home offices and other workspaces. Sure, looking at very strong light at close perpendicular can dazzle the eyes, but LED technology is creating a lot of lighting applications that provide a sufficient amount of light without glare.
In addition, LED lights have a wider range of dimming options than traditional lights, allowing for better control of light intensity and further reducing glare. This makes them an excellent option for creating a pleasant and visually appealing lighting environment that is easy on the eyes.
Tips to reduce eye strain
While LED lights reduce eye strain, it is important to remember that only when used correctly can they help to promote eye comfort. Here are some tips to help you reduce eye strain:
- LED lights with adjustable brightness: LED lights have a range of dimming functions that allow you to adjust the intensity of the light to make it brighter or dimmer to suit your needs. This can be particularly useful in spaces where you spend a lot of time reading or working, such as a home office.
- LED lights with adjustable colour temperature: some LED lights have the option to adjust the colour temperature, which can help reduce exposure to blue light before bedtime.
- LED lights with good colour rendering: LED lights with a high colour rendering index (CRI) can help ensure that colours are displayed accurately and visual tasks are easier on the eyes.
- Position lights correctly: lighting should be positioned so that it does not cause glare or reflections on screens or other surfaces. This helps to reduce eye strain and improve visual comfort.
- Take breaks: taking regular breaks when using LED lights, whether you’re reading, working or just watching TV, will help reduce eye strain and give your eyes a rest.
By following these tips, you can reduce eye strain and create a comfortable and visually pleasing lighting environment that is easy on the eyes. Please also take into account that vision issues are individual, and lighting alone will not solve all vision problems. For questions about vision problems and eye symptoms, it is best to consult an ophthalmologist.
Further reading and online sources
Here are some online resources with plenty of content for further reading on the topic of LED lights reduce eye strain:
- “Eye Disease Resulting From Increased Use of Fluorescent Lighting as a Climate Change Mitigation Strategy” published in 2011, on the harm of fluorescent lighting to the eyes. from the National Library of Medicine.
- “Influence of blue light from visual display terminals on human ocular surface”, published in 2018, only a summary available in English, but gives an indication that the night viewing mode on a display screen is more pleasant for the eyes. from the National Library of Medicine.
- “Computer vision syndrome: a review”. published in 2015, on the adverse effects of computer screen viewing on the eyes. from the National Library of Medicine.
- “Preliminary evaluation of discomfort glare from organic light-emitting diode and edge-lit light-emitting diode lighting panels”, published in 2017, on glare and anti-glare from lighting panels, read at the National Library of Medicine, and the full review here.
Other articles on led lights and health
- Can Led lights cause cancer?
- Do led lights help with depression
- The effects of LED lights on our circadian rhythm
- Use of LED lights in the treatment of seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
- Led lights improve sleep
Led lighting expert
LedStore has been an expert in LED lighting and lighting design for homes and offices since 2010. We have our own product design, and we manufacture LedStore products with selected producers, so the products are technically top class. We focus on temperature-controlled and high colour rendering (CRI) lights for general and task lighting.
We do around 500 lighting designs for our clients’ sites, improving the usability and comfort of their spaces. Read more here or order a design. We offer a service of custom-made LED strip lights, i.e. for all home and office spaces, individual, made-to-measure LED strip lights in aluminium profile. Also installed.
We serve builders and renovators, from consumers to contractors, wholesalers and designers. Our store, where all our lights can be seen installed, is located in the well connected Koivuhaas area of Vantaa, Mesikukantie 16, 01300 Vantaa.
