lighting and the visually impaired - afb
TRANSCRIPT
Light is made up of
electromagnetic particles that travel in waves.
Our retinas are capable of responding to only a small part
of the entire electromagnetic spectrum.
From the longest waves (lowest frequency) through the shortest waves (highest frequency), lighting specialists identify the electromagnetic wave regions as
1) radio waves, 2) microwaves and radar, 3) millimeter waves and telemetry, 4) infrared,
5) visible light, 6) ultraviolet,and 7) x-rays and gamma rays.
Wave Lengths are measured in “Nanometers”
Not all wavelengths are visible to the human eye. For the most part, this presentation will be limited to
visible light.
Definitions• Nanometer (nm) is a measure of the
length of the light waves• A nanometer is the extremely small
unit used to measure lengths of light waves.
• One nanometer equals • one billionth of a meter.
Definitions• Correlated Color Temperature (CCT)
is a measurement of the actual color appearance of light. It is expressed in Kelvins (K). Low CCT numbers define “warm” lighting like yellow and red hues of candlelight at 1500K. High CCT numbers define “cool” light, like blue (5000K to 7000K).
Definitions
• Kelvin is the basic unit of measurement for temperature
• The Kelvin temperature rating is based on the color most highly emitted
Definitions• Footcandle (fc) and LUX (lx) are units
of illuminance, measuring light on the surface
• 50 footcandle is generally considered sufficient for many tasks
• Higher footcandles may be needed to do fine work such as threading a needle
Definitions
• Lumen (lm) is a measurement at the light source (the lamp), and not necessarily at the surface being lit
• It is the standard unit of luminous flux (the time rate of flow of radiant energy)
Definitions
• A watt is a unit of power equal to work done, at the rate of one joule
• Wattage is actually a measurement of energy, not of light
Ultraviolet Waves are very short wave lengths of light that are not
visible to the Human Eye• UV-C are in the range of 100-290 nm• UV-B are in the range of 290-320 nm• UV-C are in the range of 320-400 nm• UV-B gets most of the blame for damaging
the eyes, skin, and materials• UV light is to the left of visible light on the
light spectrum
Infrared Light• Is also invisible to the human eye• The term "Infra-" means "lower than”• It has longer wavelengths than those
of the visible light spectrum• It is to the right of visible light on the
light spectrum
Infrared Light• Energy whose wavelength is too long to
see is "redder than red“ or Infrared.• How do we know this kind of light exists? • One way is that we can feel energy with
these wavelengths such as when we sit in front of a campfire or when we get close to a stove burner.
• Very long wavelengths of infrared light radiate heat to outer space.
The “visible light spectrum” is that small part of the electromagnetic wave spectrum that we see
as colors.
• Red • Orange• Yellow• Green• Blue• Indigo• And violet
From highest nanometers (700)to the lowest (400), the colorsof visible light in order are:
Light is needed to trigger the cone cells on the retina,
in order to read, to see details, and to do all tasks
As we get older, we generally need more light to read and to do near tasks
• A German study stated that:• A 50 year-old likely needs 10 times
as much light as a 10-year old to read• A 65 year-old likely needs 15 times
as much light as a 10-year old to read
In addition, the Need for Illumination
is much greater for a person with a Vision Impairment
• They will likely need 3-4 times as much light as a person their age, who does not have a vision impairment
Specifically, persons with a central field loss (such as AMD
or diabetic retinopathy)
• Will have damage to their cone cells• Which are key in transmitting signals
of light received to the visual cortex of the brain
• Therefore, they need improved illumination for near tasks
The Need for Illuminationfor Persons with Low Vision
• Is highest in persons with retinal involvements such as– AMD– Stargardts– Bests Disease– Retinopathy of Prematurity– Histoplasmosis– Toxoplasmosis
The Need for Illumination
• Is also high for persons with:– Optic Atrophy– Retinitis Pigmentosa – Glaucoma– Cataracts
Research by Guinilla Portnoy, O.D.and John Brabyn, Ph.D.
revealed that:• An 85-year old person who has 20/40
visual acuity in a high brightness setting and with normal or high contrast materials
• Only has 20/200 visual acuity in a poor brightness setting and with low contrast materials
Many doctors or low vision specialists try to help that person
read more easily merely with a magnifier or with reading glasses
I’m certainly not saying or suggesting that a magnifier or
reading glasses are not needed or will not be helpful
for a person with 20/40 or 20/70 or any other
diminished visual acuity
But perhaps what is needed most for that person,
or is as equally important as a magnifier is:
• Illumination• Illumination• Illumination
It is partially dependent on:• The contrast of the item vs. its
background • The size of the target being viewed• The age of the person doing the task• Whether the person has a visual
impairment and needs additional light
Lighting needs may also vary according to:
• Orientation (south vs. north facing room• Weather (cloudy vs. sunny day)• Time of day (position of the sun in the sky)• Season (position of the sun)
Different tasks and targets also require varying levels of illumination
• Reading items written in a #2 pencil, vs. those written with a pen vs. those written with a felt pen
• Reading items on a blackboard vs. those on a whiteboard
• Seeing a ball in the gymnasium vs. threading a needle ins the sewing room
Sample lighting standards for different rooms or areas:
• Bathroom 20 fc• Cafeteria or snack bar 20 fc• Kitchen 50 fc• Classroom 45-55 fc• Library or study area 45-55 fc• Computer room 40-70 fc• Clerical or secretarial areas 60-70 fc• Shops or special labs 50-100 fc
From Michigan Tech and Adopted fromFederal Energy Administration Guidelines
Lighting is dependent on the contrast and the size of the target
Visual tasks with:• High contrast and large size 30 fc• High contrast and small size 50 fc• Low contrast and small size 100 fc• Extremely low contrast and
small size 300-1000 fc
Standards by the Illuminating and Engineering Society of North America (IESNA)
These standards just given are for people with “normal” vision
Please remember that a person with a vision loss may need about 3 times as
much light for near tasks as a person with normal vision
The amount of light needed for a person with a vision loss
for reading
Is closely related to their score on a Contrast Sensitivity
Function (CSF) test
Persons with poor contrast sensitivity function need very bright illumination for reading
Persons with better contrast sensitivity function (CSF) do not need as much light for reading
Gerritsen and Christiansen, 2006
Lighting is measured with a light meter
at 30 inches above the floor, at various points in the room
A mathematical average is then taken.
Measure the light for your students, clients, or family member with a light meter to help determine if lighting is sufficient for the task they are
trying to do
The ratio of illumination in a room
• Should be approximately 5:3:1• Between the page, the desk, and the
room• This same ratio applies to a CCTV
screen, the working desk, and the rest of the room
An important principle is not just the amount of light, but
the position of the light
Therefore, it is important to talk about something called the
“Inverse Square Law” of lighting
Illumination Uses the“Inverse Square Law”
That means that as a light source gets closer, the amount of light
delivered is squared
Thus, if a lamp used to be2 feet away
• And we move it closer so that now it is 1 foot away,
• It is not twice as bright, as we may suppose;
• Instead, it is 4 times as bright, since we square the amount of light delivered
Then if we bring it closer again, moving it from 1 foot away
to 6 inches away
• We square the amount of light delivered again
Improved Illumination is notSo Much a Factor of the
Type of Light, or Even theWattage of Light Bulb
• Instead, it is mostly a factor of the • Position of the light, using the
Inverse Square Law
There are many types of Light
• Sunlight• Incandescent• Fluorescent• Halogen• Light Emitting Diodes or LED• “Daylight” or Full Spectrum
A lamp is not the fixture that holds the light bulb or tube,
Nor is it a light
• A lamp is the light bulb or tube itself which is contained in the fixture
• Light is the energy that emits from the lamp
Incandescent Lamps• Contain a tungsten filament in a vacuum• An electrical current causes the filament
to glow (incandesce)
Incandescent Lamps
• Features a warm yellowish light• With little glare• Provides excellent contrast• Are very helpful for “task” lighting
They have a low Kelvin rating—generally about
2700K to 3200K
Therefore they do not emit any ultraviolet or “blue” light
Incandescent Lamps
• However they can be warm to work under• They may have less even lighting and
more shadows than fluorescent lamps• They generally cost more to operate than
fluorescent lamps
Incandescent Lamps mayBe on their Way Out
• Congress has passed laws that will likely eliminate production of most incandescent lamps by the year 2014
• However, incandescent lamps will probably still be around for several years after that, as will some replacement bulbs
• Incandescent lamps will continue to have several strong advantages—e.g. high contrast and minimal glare for the VI
Halogen Lamps• Contains a filament made of tungsten, so
it is a type of incandescent lamp• However, it is different than a normal
incandescent lamp, because it also contains the gas halogen
• Halogen recycles the burned particles of tungsten, constantly rebuilding the filament and giving it a longer life
Halogen Lamps• Provide very bright illumination—perhaps
the brightest• Have a “white” light appearance
They also have a lowKelvin rating—generally about
3700K to 3900K
Therefore they also do not emit any ultraviolet or “blue” light
Halogen Lamps
• But by “pushing” the brightness the contrast may be slightly diminished or decreased
• They are very hot to work under and dangerous to touch
• Because it is so hot, It can be a safety hazard if not properly used
Fluorescent Lamps• Is a phosphor-coated tube filled with
mercury and argon vapor• An electrical current discharged into the
vapor causes the phosphor to glow (fluoresce)
• The type and blend of phosphors used in the coating determine the color of emitted light
Fluorescent Lamps
• Provides even lighting• With few shadows• Is cool to work under• May be a good choice for room lighting
They have a slightly higher Kelvin rating—generally about
4,200K to 4900K
Except for some models, they generally do not emit ultraviolet light,
and do not emit “blue” light
Fluorescent Lamps
• May create glare for some persons• May not provide as good contrast as
incandescent lamps
Full Spectrum Lamps• Are a type of fluorescent lamp• Generally have a Correlated Color
Temperature (CCT) of 5,000K (Kelvin) or higher
• And a Color Rendering Index (CRI) of 90 or higher
• Often have enhanced levels of Ultraviolet (UV) light
Full spectrum or “Daylight” lamps generally have a high Kelvin rating—
5,000K to 6,500K
They will emit both ultraviolet and “blue” light
Full Spectrum or“Daylight” Lamps
• Mimic natural sunlight• May have the same phosphors as sunlight• Have an even light• Are cool to work under• Are excellent for color matching, quilting,
painting, art work, and hobbies• May have applications in professional settings
such as dental work, for color matching
Full Spectrum Lamps
• Often have “blue light” and may have ultraviolet light (UV-A and UV-B)
• May have diminished contrast, especially if over 5,000 K
• Therefore may not be the best for persons with low vision, if they are concerned about blue light and UV, or if they need enhanced contrast
LED Lamps• Are a semiconductor device• With a variety of phosphors, rare earth
elements, scintillators, or quantum dots• Which produce electroluminescence
Colors of LED’s• The color of emitted light depends on the
chemical composition of the semi-conducting material used.
• It can be near-ultraviolet (NUV), visible or infrared. The first practical visible spectrum LED was produced in 1962. Red and greens were available first, then blues in 1993.
• White LED’s became available in 1996.
LED Lamps• May have a lower Kelvin rating of 2,700K to
4,500K— “warm” white, OR • A high Kelvin rating of 5,000K to 6,500K—
“cool” white or “daylight” white)• Two LED lamps can be on the shelf next to
each other, look alike, cost the same, and be made by the same manufacturer
• One may be rated as 3,200K, and the other at 6,500K
A “warm” LED lamp will not emit any UV or “blue” light
A “cool” LED lamp may emit both UV and blue light
LED Lamps
• “Warm” LED’s may not be as bright as “cool” or “daylight” LED’s
• However, they do not emit UV or “blue” light like a “cool” LED may
• To compensate, you can choose a higher output (lumens) lamp or position it closer
LED Lamps• Are extremely energy efficient• And can last an incredibly long time (up to
50,000 hours—perhaps several decades)• Compare this to about 1,000 hours for an
incandescent bulb or 7,500 hours for a compact fluorescent (CFL) bulb
• Thus, an LED lamp can last at least 4 times, and perhaps 7 times longer than a compact fluorescent (CFL) bulb
When do LED Bulbs wear out?• They don’t just burn out; instead they very
slowly become dimmer with age and use• The Lighting Research Center (LRC) defines
useful life of LED lamps as the point at which light output declines to 70% of initial lumens
• Most manufacturers estimate a lifetime of 30,000 hours to the 70% lumen maintenance level
As LED durability continues to improve, some LED’s are rated
to last at this 70% level to 50,000 hours
If used an average of 3 hours a day, this would mean a useful life of 27-46
years, allowing for the 30% lumen depreciation
LED Lamps• Are often more than a single diode—they
may have multiple diodes, a chip, or a multi-chip, perhaps even several layers
• They may have a more narrow beam or “spread” than other lamps
An important feature to consider when choosing an LED lamp is its “spread,” or
the width of the light beam it produces
Try to select an LED lamp that produces a fairly wide beam
of light
LED Bulbs• Now come in an Edison (E-26 or E-27)
base, and will work in existing household lamps and light fixtures, as direct screw-in replacements (as little as $6 to $24)
LED Lamps• Are increasingly taking over the market formerly
held by incandescent and fluorescent lamps• Because of their amazing longevity and energy
efficiency• Also, they are encased in hard plastic (rather
than glass), so they don’t break, and are shock resistant
• And, they do not contain mercury like CFL bulbs (a problem when disposing of CFL’s)
LED lamps may be a wonderful option for persons
with a vision loss
As table lamps, floor lamps, flashlights, “stick-on” lights, and headlamps. Also, remember that replacement bulbs are
now available in LED
In the future, organic LED’s (OLED’s) may become available. They create light on an ultra-thin
sheet. They could illuminate:
• Ceiling tiles• Venetian blinds• TV screens and computer monitors• Mobile phones
“Blue light” are short wave lengths on the
nanometer scale of visible light
• That range from about 400 nm to 470 nm
• They are visible to the human eye• And are perceived as the color blue
Laboratory studies on animalsseem nearly unanimousthat blue light causesmacular degeneration
However, real world studies on people have produced conflicting
results
Blue light and macular degeneration (AMD)
• Some studies positively link AMD with any kind of light exposure
• Other studies have found a weak correlation between AMD and blue light exposure
• Yet a third group of studies has found no correlation between AMD and sunlight
One Australian study concluded that the problem is not total sun exposure, but how sensitive you
are to the sun
This study also concluded that people with blue irises are at
increased risk for AMD
People with blue or light-colored eyes and fair skin may be particularly susceptible to
macular damage from blue light because they have less melanin
in their irises.Melanin protects the macula by trapping light rays so they don’t
reach the macula and cause damage
In short, we probably cannot say at this time that blue light
positively contributes to macular degeneration
But the plausibility and probability is certainly there
Therefore, because of a possible link and possible benefit:
• Exposure to blue light should possibly be limited
Also, “Blue blocker” sunglasses should be worn
• Especially if you have blue or light colored eyes and fair skin
• Or if you have other risk factors• Or if you spend lots of time in bright
sunlight or on water, sand, or snow, which reflects sunlight
• A sun visor or hat may also be helpful
The color that blocks blue is yellow, so blue blockers must
contain a yellow tint
• This includes sunglasses and glare shields with that are:
• Amber• Orange• Amber/orange• Yellow and• Plum
Problems with Some Lamps
Some lamps provide some concerns, because they
may emit UV light and/or blue light
Fluorescent Lamps• In common fluorescent tubes, UV rays are
mostly blocked by the glass enclosure• Blue light, however, may pass
through unimpeded• Fluorescent tubes containing the older
halophospate type phosphors emit light that is high in the blue spectrum
Full Spectrum Lamps• Often contain the visible blue light
spectrum and the invisible UV light• If they are rated with a CCT
(Correlated Color Temperature) of 5,000K or higher (which almost all do)
Full Spectrum Lamps rated at 5,000K or higher, and therefore
have blue and UV light include the • Ott Lite (5,000K)• Vita Lite (5,000K) and • Vital Lite Plus (5,500K) • Verilux Happy Eyes (5,500K)• UltraLux (5,500K)• VisionMax Full Spectrum (6,500K)• Sunlight Lamp by Bell & Howell (6,500K)
Other Full Spectrum Lamps rated at 5,000K or higher
• “Bright as Day” by Sharper Image (5,000K)• PureLite (5,000K)• BioPure Full Spectrum (5,500K)• Life Lite by True Scan (5,500K)• Paralite-Specra 5900 (5,900K)• Balanced Spectrum (6,500K)• Lumichrome (6,500K)• Coil-Lite Compact Fluorescent (6,500K)• And many others
LED Lamps• Those rated over 5,000K contain blue light• Care should be taken to ascertain the
Kelvin rating of LED lamps or bulbs, since two could be made by the same manufacturer and be sold alongside each other on a shelf in a store, or on the same page in a catalog. One could be rated 3,200K (“warm”), and the other 6,500K (“cool”), and look almost exactly alike.
One author wrote, “Just as we shield our skin from prolonged sunlight, it makes sense that
we should also shield our eyes when outdoors.”
He continues, “Until good science provides more definite
answers, we might also be wise to not bring the sun into our houses and place it on
our desktops.”
However, even if we do not accept research thus far about
any possible link between blue light and retinal damage
(such as with macular degeneration),
or completely put any concern aside about
blue light . . .
Another important concern about lamps with a CCT of
5,000K or more
• Is their diminished contrast• As we push the brightness of a lamp,
we often sacrifice or diminish contrast• Good contrast is generally very
important for a person who is visually impaired
Finding lamps with a CCT Correlated Color Temperature of
4,900K or less will help to
• Avoid having blue light and UV light in the lamp
• Increase the contrast, which is so important to a person with a vision loss
Glare should be avoided
By carefully watching the positioning of lighting
coming into the eye, and of items being viewed
in relationship to light sources
Glare can also be minimized by wearing glare shields
• Amber, amber/orange, orange, or plum for bright or sunny days
• Yellow colored for indoors by a window, for cloudy days, or for early morning or late afternoon conditions
Bryan GerritsenCLVT
Low Vision Rehabilitation Services (LVRS)
www.LowVisionRehabServices.cominfo@LowVisionRehabServices
Copyright2012