Is LED strips good for reading?
Artificial illumination plays a crucial role in contemporary civilization, and the utilization of LEDs is swiftly gaining global recognition. Not only do they last longer than traditional bulbs, they are also more energy efficient.
LEDs emit light in a particular direction, making them ideal for use as reading lights. Nonetheless, it is crucial to consider the color temperature and brightness of your LEDs since selecting an inappropriate reading light can lead to eye fatigue and disrupt your sleep patterns.
How to choose the right reading light
The color temperature of a lamp is determined by Kelvin degrees. A low Kelvin rating indicates that the appearance of the light will be warm and the lamp will emit red wavelengths. A high Kelvin degree, on the other hand, indicates that the appearance of the light will be cool and the lamp will emit blue wavelengths.
However, the color seen with the naked eye does not necessarily indicate the Kelvin rating. When it comes to white LEDs, the light is whiter. The concentration of blue wavelengths is higher. This is because LEDs produce white light using a mixture of blue light and yellow phosphors.
This is important because blue wavelengths have been shown to suppress the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates the sleep cycle. Ultimately, this means that reading with white light while sleeping can increase alertness and delay sleep by up to 3 hours.
The upshot of this increased alertness, however, is that white LEDs are great if you’re reading for work or studying. Blue wavelengths help memory, cognitive function and improve mood. Hence, white LEDs are ideal for offices, studies, and task-oriented areas of your home.
Conversely, yellow LEDs have the opposite effect. The ambient nature of yellow lights makes the mind feel warm and relaxed. It has a relaxing effect and reduces concentration and fatigue over long periods. As a less stressful solution, yellow lights are preferred when you study for relaxation. Installing warm and yellow LEDs in the bedroom and living room can help you relax in the evenings.
Know more about Lumens: How much lumens do I need in my project?
The relationship between LED strips and eyesight
This study showed that “exposure to intense and powerful LED light can lead to irreversible loss of retinal cells and reduced visual acuity.” This is because the blue wavelengths are short and high energy. It allows them to penetrate the eye to the retina. Therefore, prolonged or continuous exposure to blue LEDs can lead to macular degeneration (AMD), eye fatigue, and cataracts.
These risks are even greater when it comes to children and teenagers, as their crystalline lenses are not fully formed, making them especially vulnerable.
In addition, blue wavelengths also disrupt circadian rhythms by suppressing melatonin production. Interrupting the circadian rhythm can aggravate metabolic disorders such as diabetes as well as cardiovascular diseases and some types of cancer.
Can LED lights cause headaches?
LED bulbs such as CFLs flicker continuously at a very high rate. This is because LEDs can only be turned fully on or fully off, so they have trouble performing in dim settings. Even though the flicker may not always be visible, our eyes notice the flicker and try to adjust our pupils to synchronize.
This flickering is sometimes called dirty electricity and is especially common in inexpensive LED bulbs. With cheap fittings, care is not taken to help stabilize and reduce flicker, which leads to headaches and further visual complications.
How to choose a suitable light for reading?
Light temperature: If you are reading for pleasure or relaxation purposes, choose yellow light. If you are reading for study or work purposes, choose white light.
Light intensity: A lamp that is too dim will cause eye strain, as you will have trouble focusing on the words you are reading. Conversely, a lamp that is too bright will be too harsh, which can disrupt focus. For reading, I recommend lamps that are around 450 lumens. This is equivalent to 50 watts.
Light position: Our eyes are more comfortable when exposed to layers of light than a harsh source. In addition to general lighting, you should use more focused light when studying. This lamp should be nearby, perhaps on the bedside table, and it should be adjustable.
Light distribution: Most LEDs are directional, meaning they emit light in a specific direction. This allows the light to be accurately cast on your book without disturbing others.
Light sensitivity: If you suffer from light sensitivity, you should use organic LEDs. Organic LED strips produce light using 6 layers, and with this type of light, compared to ordinary LEDs, they reduce headaches and migraines.
Source of images: Archdaily, inc.com