[Reading by fluorescent lamp light].

Abstract

In dioptrics courses it has hitherto been taught that eyes of near-sighted patients who work in fluorescent light should be slightly under-corrected, since the near point is approximated in bluish light as a result of the chromatic aberration of the eye, in contrast to its location in white light or even the reddish light of incandescent lamps. The theory further states that this recommendation does not apply if close-range refraction occurs under fluorescent light. However, this is seldom the case. In our own investigations this approximation of the near point, under uniform illumination by fluorescent strip lights running across the ceiling, did not occur, at least not in "white" light (No. 33). On the contrary, under an incandescent lamp which was only half as powerful the near point was regularly closer to the eye than under white fluorescent light. The recommendation for under-correction of pulpit spectacles computed in incandescent light can therefore no longer be upheld.--While many patients complain of difficulties in diffuse incandescent light, these may be due to several other illumination factors which have not yet been fully investigated.--Some fundamental differences between diffuse fluorescent lighting and incandescent lamp lighting where there is a fall-off in luminosity are described.