I have always had trouble with florescent light. In the office, in stores, etc. How can I counteract this? I have been to an opthalmologist, and it is not a visual problem. (I believe it is some type of neurologial disorder, in that my brain does process this light - according to many websights). In short, it makes me lightheaded, and sometimes in certain areas dizzy and nautious. Also, my ability to see correctly is diminished. Doing my job is actually very difficult for me, but I have no choice.
2007-03-04 11:15:29 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Other - Health
Thanks in advance for any help at all.
2007-03-04 11:16:27 · update #1
Fluorescent lights turn on and off 60 times per second. This flickering causes your eyes to fatigue. There are certain frequencies that can cause some people to have seizures. When strobe lights were first introduced, they had to make regulations regarding the rate of strobing to keep this problem from happening.
Fluorescent lights are actually high frequency ultra violet radiation that is converted to more visible light by a coating on the tube that changes the frequency. So what you get is a highly short wave vibration that is turned on and turned off at a high rate of speed (60 times per second). Your brain doesn't let you know that it is turning on and off because it happens too quickly, but many people are more sensitive to this. To add to the problem, the high frequency causes your brain to believe the light is brighter than it is, so in the on mode, your eyes tend to close down more thinking that the light is brighter and then when it shuts down, your eyes tend to open more to compensate for the high contrast ratio.
Another issue is that all Fluorescent tubes have mercury in them. This is why they are not to be disposed of in normal trash bens and are to be handled as toxic waste because they are.
The reason fluorescents are used widely by businesses is because they operate cooler and thereby require less air conditioning to cool the room and they have long lives, and are very cheap to purchase.
Incandescent lamps do not have this problem.
I would suggest taking an herb called bilberry, and eat foods high in caroteen to help with the health of your eyes. Also, you may want to take about 300 mg of proanthocyanodin (a grape leaf extract) to help with the health of your eyes. Also, vitamin E can help because it reduces the need for oxygen in the tissue and helps build muscles in the eye.
good luck to you.
2007-03-09 20:17:34 · answer #1 · answered by onlymatch4u 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, CFL's contain mercury, but only a very small amount. Some states recycle CFL's. Do CFLs contain mercury? CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing – an average of 5 milligrams, which is roughly equivalent to an amount that would cover the tip of a ball-point pen. No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact or in use. By comparison, older thermometers contain about 500 milligrams of mercury. It would take 100 CFLs to equal that amount. Mercury currently is an essential component of CFLs and is what allows the bulb to be an efficient light source. Many manufacturers have taken significant steps to reduce mercury used in their fluorescent lighting products. In fact, the average amount of mercury in a CFL is anticipated to drop by the end of 2007, thanks to technology advances and a commitment from the members of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.
2016-03-28 23:39:13 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have also suffered with this! I would become dizzy, get headaches, and sometimes trip and fall. It made college / work very difficult, but when realized what the problem was I started wearing sunglasses indoors and it helps wonders!
Sometimes people have a problem with the sunglasses being worn, but they need to deal with that. Since wearing sunglasses, my eyesight has improved somewhat, and my eyeglass subscription is too strong now.
2007-03-04 11:20:35 · answer #3 · answered by Susan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have the exact same problem as you. I avoid Walmart and other stores the use flourescent lighting. I work at a restaurant and the lighting in the kitchen is flourescent which I CANNOT STAND. I am so glad that other people have this problem-meaning I am not the only one. I'm so sorry that I don't have an answer to help you though. If you find a good answer that works to help, please please please message me and let me know!!! Good luck!
2007-03-04 11:53:32 · answer #4 · answered by pickledgrapenuts 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I get the same problem - i often get headaches in florescent light, and sometimes dizzy too. if you wear glasses to see distances i find it helps when i take mine off so it may with you too.
2007-03-04 11:19:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's so wierd, i honestly thought i was the only person in the world with that problem! i hate going to stores like wal-mart and target because of it. at first i thought it was a fear of big places, like agoraphobia, but i dont get dizzy and nauseus outside. i also get the same feeling when i watch home-videos. i dont think its psychological. we should make a support group. :)
2007-03-04 11:24:46 · answer #6 · answered by superfly_jdizzle 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have the same problem as you and i get reallly dizzy...i dont noe how to stop it from happening but what i do is i bend down and put my head between my legs...i no it looks stupid but it really helps the dizziness go away
2007-03-04 11:24:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋