Fluorescent Lights & Eye Pain

Most offices have long rows of fluorescent lights and no other source of lighting. Often the lights sit directly overhead, though some workers have fluorescent light coming from behind, from the front or from the sides. Fluorescent lighting from these angles may cause glare, creating painful, irritated eyes. Understanding how fluorescent lights can cause eye problems will help solve, or prevent, discomfort from such lighting.

Light Flicker

• When voltage to the fluorescent light bulb fluctuates, the light flickers. Some flickers are noticeable, while other times the flicker happens so rapidly that it isn't noticed. The voltage fluctuation does not disturb everyone, but most eyes are sensitive to the flickers, whether seen or not. Fluorescent flickers do not cause permanent damage to the eyes, but sensitivity to the fluctuation may turn to discomfort and painful eyes.

Light Sensitivity

• According to the American Optometric Association, "bright lights in the peripheral field of view may cause discomfort," and fluorescent lights "contribute to this problem." Sensitivity to fluorescent lights may cause squinting, tearing and a general achiness of the eyes. Staring at a computer screen may increase the discomfort of glare and fluorescent light sensitivity because the eyes are constantly balancing varying levels of brightness and contrast.

Eye Strain

• Eye strain is frequently caused by bright lights, such as fluorescent lighting. Symptoms include painful, tired eyes that water and burn. Vision may be blurry, and sensitivity to light may increase. Eye strain has no lasting effects, though concentration and productivity will be affected.

Solutions

• Fluorescent light filters can be installed to ease the painful brightness of the light fixtures, and moving a desk or other furnishings to a different location can relieve the eyes, too. Other options include tinted eyeglasses that lessen the glare from fluorescent lighting. If a prescription for eyeglasses is needed, consulting an eye doctor may help.

Considerations

• Eye pain and light sensitivity may be the result of an eye infection or other eye condition. If symptoms persists or other symptoms appear, such as excessive tearing, redness, itching or loss of vision, an eye care professional should be contacted immediately.