Jane Cowan-Harris
Head of WorkSpace IQ
www.workspaceiq.co.nz
Having enough light to be able to do day to activities is something we take for granted.
It’s remarkable to think that less than 200 years ago, prior to electric lighting, our days were predominantly controlled by the hours of daylight available.
Today, with electric lighting available at our fingertips, you might think we’d be in a better position. However, as we spend more time using computers, our eyes are under huge demands.
Having enough light is vital for maintaining good eye health. This means having enough light going onto your computer screen and paperwork, but also avoiding glare. If there’s a window behind your screen your desk may appear to be well-lit, but without enough light above your screen, your eyes may be automatically adjusting to shut out the excess light behind and on your desk surface.
This means without you being aware of it, you might be struggling to read what’s on the screen in front of you. Likewise, if there’s a window behind you, there may be too much light hitting your screen.
Incorrect lighting on screens is also shown to have a direct correlation with shoulder/neck muscle tension, as we poke our heads towards the screen, trying to make it easier to read the content.
The ever-increasing amount of time we spend looking at our screens is another challenge. Reading from a printed document gives us a chance to physically move the paperwork around to change focal distance; not so easily done with a screen.
Modern glass office blocks with large windows can also make it challenging to control light effectively. So what to do?
Ideally, have a ceiling light directly above the workstation user, so that there is sufficient light on the screen but no glare. Alternatively, position a desk light over the top of the screen or screens.
Use blinds to control amount of light coming in. Ideally, position screens at 90 degrees to the window to avoid bright sun behind or light coming onto the screen.
Be conscious of the colours you use in a work area. Lots of bright white walls and desk tops will reflect more light and can cause glare and tired eyes. If using white on your walls, break this whiteness up some large pictures or plants
And remember to give your eyes regular breaks by looking into the distance. If you don’t have a window, put up a large image as not only is it good for the eyes, it’s good for the brain, and helps shed a little light on your overall perspective.
