Fluorescent - my arch nemesis of the lighting world
 

So, I have been improving again since my setback and pretty optimistic that I am within week(s) from making another attempt at returning to work on an easeback schedule.

Learned quite a bit from last time and while off again this time and I think I made quite a few corrections and am better prepared this time.

One thing that I have yet to correct is fluorescent lighting, my work building is full of it. Within seconds of being in a commercial setting my eyes get strained and tired pretty quickly. I can continue to function but it's uncomfortable and I tend to look downwards.

Any suggestions on how to tackle this issue? I can likely get some of the bulbs above my space taken out. My optometrist suggested using a tall table lamp with an incadescent bulb shinning above my work space to help wash out the flicker that I may be picking up. Any other suggestions? I will likely try a few different color tinted glasses/UV spectrum filters.

Your brain may be sensitive to the 60 hz flicker. If that is the case, I don't think there is a way to compensate for it. Try to find a way to get analyzed for flicker frequency. Flicker can cause seizure like struggles.

You may be able to experiment with a computer screen if it has an adjustable refresh rate. If you find a rate that is fatiguing, it likely will be a multiple of 60.

There are plenty of online resources such as http://www.livestrong.com/article/15...escent-lights/

See if you can get prescription tinted glasses for light sensitivity. The tint that is normally used to help with fluorescent lights is called FL-41; it's a reddish tint that filters out blue wavelengths. This should also help with computer use. If that isn't enough, you could try putting normal, generic clip-on sunglasses over the tinted glasses, and wearing a hat.

Flourescent
 

The frequency can be a problem. Replacing the lamps may help. You might try a different spectrum. Cool white is the most common. But flourescents can also mimic natural sunlight these lamps can be quite expensive though. That is what I would try.

Contact lenses are great too, they come in all different shades. I wonder if wearing a rimmed hat would help to bring some barrier to the light. Or last option, change jobs!

Thanks all,

Been playing with the different tints and light filtration. I seem to be making progress with this.

I checked on the FL-41 tint and the local shops had no idea what I was talking about. They remembered a pink tint they used to do years ago but they don';t now since the reflective coatings.

I found a safety glasses company called Uvex by Honeywell. They have all sorts of tints to their glasses and are pretty cheap. They have an index of what each tint is for so playing with a few now. They have one called vermillion specifically for fluorescent lights, I am going to experiment with it a bit this weekend I hope.

That's common, but your actual optometrist (i.e. the doctor) should know what the tint is. The people selling the glasses usually don't know anything about it, and most optometrists' offices don't have the equipment/dye for adding it; they have to send the glasses off elsewhere to get it added.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2701948/

Just google 'FL-41 tint' and you'll get lots of hits.

Hats, maybe, to put a brim between you and the overhead lighting.

bless your heart. Hang in there... :grouphug: