I'm finding it very hard to concentrate these days. Could be that my glasses are not ideal. But I believe lighting has a lot to do with it. I would always sit at the computer in the dark, because the lighting in my room is poor, and the halogen desk lamps I have are way too blinding and direct. I'm in a converted attic and the ceiling behind where I sit at my L-shaped desk with hutch, is sloped downward, and very low. And the hutch blocks the light from the front. So it's very hard to get nice, even, ambient lighting. Because my astigmatism has been getting worse, I'm interested in learning of the best lighting solutions when computing. I figured sitting in the dark was good because of low glare, but then there is the problem of excessive contrast...this can actually be damaging to sight. I really didn't know that before.

Anyway, I've got a pole lamp off to the side somewhat. It helps some. I would have it behind me, but the low sloped ceiling prevents that. I figure something diffuse, centered overhead best as possible would be the best solution. I tried using a long halogen task lamp as high and far as possible without encountering the sloped ceiling overhead. That was too harsh. I think a light with a lens or some type of diffraction would work. I recall glancing at a picture of a lamp with a parabolic louver, similar to the grating used on installed overhead fluorescent lighting. Seems like that would work more evenly than the pole lamp off to the side. And, would free up valuable floorspace...I've got a lot of crap and equipment in this room.

Anyway, if anyone has experience in this area, or can point to examples of portable indirect lighting for use in a computing situation like mine (and hopefully better ideas for the future, too, when I move and can plan a better space) I would really appreciate it. I've been over this for a long time. I'm not very visual, and to me, a light was just a light....till I start getting worried about my eyes deteriorating worse. Just want an environment in which I can read and scan most quickly and without strain.

If I can't find answers here, maybe there's a better place to ask this? I posted on sci.engr.lighting but so far have not gotten a very good response. Please read the thread here if you can help and need more details: http://groups.google.com/groups?q=jonathan...ogle.com&rnum=1

Now everyone knows my name

oh well, haven't been doing anything wrong....yet....

don't watch TV in the dark, either. I'm always telling the kids to turn on the light.

we have a halogen gooseneck lamp, and put a little dimmer switch on it. ours is on the desk. works great. so maybe all you need is a dimmer switch. just keep the bulb out of your sight/eyes.

this




HTH

the bulb isn't that bright in my halogen lamp. I think it's just the quality of the light, glare on my glasses, or something I can't fathom. I have had an eye exam within the last year but I haven't been happy with my glasses. I think they may have undercorrected my astigmatism or something. I went in for a recheck and the doc said I was fine, but although he advised me not to squint because it can make astigmatism worse, I find that squinting, although uncomfortable, does seem to make it easier to concentrate. I don't think I actually have my monitor set that brightly. But maybe it's just from being used to being in the dark. I also wore contact lenses without any correction, so I probably squinted with those, too, even more so (my old glasses did have some correction, though only half as much as now). Sometimes I would squint because I thought it looked cool. Thicker glasses don't look cool, though...not to mention the world turns into more of a fishbowl.

All that to basically say, I'm more sensitive than the average bear...er, bird.

I used to be really fascinated with jet fighters and such, but I certainly don't have much hope of that. LASIK I have ruled out for now. Too much risk of light sensitivity with that, too.

High index lenses are wonderful.

strange, I don't think the board notified me of this reply....

I have used high-index lenses before and I was not all that impressed. I think the issue is mainly a headache from the weight, even though I don't think the lenses are THAT big.

I am currently in the process of finding a doc to fit me with RGP contact lenses. I hear the clarity is exceptional, and they don't move on the eyes because they are more precisely fitted. I find that I unconsciously restrain my blinking with soft lenses because they go out of focus momentarily whenever I blink...then I get dry eye. Since I spend so much time on the computer, I think I will get greater comfort by asking for an extra pair of contacts tuned to intermediate distance. Hopefully this works out well for me. I will certainly let everyone know.