LIGHT SOURCES WITH CARE 

How to take good care of your eyes

Is your office lighting adapted to your eyes? The right light can help you focus better at your desk, reduce headaches and keep your eyes happy throughout the workday.

In most office workplaces, the vast majority of light comes from outside as daylight and is reflected on window sills and walls. However, it's also important to give ceiling lights and task lights a check-up. They complement daylight and can make a big difference in reducing tension and discomfort.

The light should fit you
Adjust your desk lamp so that it fits you in height and you're not looking directly into the light. Remember that if you read at your desk, you need more light than if you only look at the screen.

Carsten Hernvig is Product Manager at Duelco Office & Installation, which specializes in ergonomic interior design for the office. He explains that the desk lamp is important for your focus:

- The light from the ceiling can be diffused and indirect, but the task light at your desk should distribute the light evenly where you work. That means on the keyboard, your stuff and the papers around it. That way your eyes can focus for longer.

Warm in the morning, cold in the afternoon
Studies show that it is good for the eyes and the body's circadian rhythm if the light from office lamps can change in strength and color throughout the day. Take the Lykke lamp, for example, which has this function. In the morning, the light should be warm and lower in brightness. When the sun is strongest during the day, the light from the lamps should also become stronger and gradually become colder in color.

Too much light causes headaches
If you suffer from headaches and tension at your desk, you should pay attention to whether you're being dazzled. You may find it difficult to see the screen or papers clearly, or you may feel the need to shade your eyes.

Glare can, for example, come from windows that don't have shades or because the desk is placed against the window and not parallel to it. It can also come from the neighboring table when the person next to you raises the table and the lamp follows.

Make sure your eyes are not strained by too much light. They need to last for many years to come.

Checklist for good light

• Decorate your office brightly so that daylight from outside is well reflected
• Desks should be positioned so that the line of sight is parallel to the windows
• Avoid lamps that flicker and glare
• Choose ceiling lights that light both the room and the ceiling
• The work light should shine below eye level and spread out over the work area
• The work light must be adjustable in height, color and intensity
• Ensure good sun protection