UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hi,
I've newly joined the forum, based in Glasgow. I was diagnosed with KC 40 years ago and within the last 10 years I've had grafts to both my eyes. It's not all been plain sailing but hey I'm still working!

I'm moving into a newly designed office building early next year and as my company are aware of my KC they asked me if there was a lux level of lighting (degree of illumination) that was suitable for me. My response was there should be natural daylight with daylight lamps as back up. That way you can get a better balance as light changes throughout the year. The problem is that it's an open plan office so there needs to be lighting to comply with the law for other staff. Anyway, it led me to do a google search and I found a couple of interesting links that I thought I would share, and would be interested to hear of others experiences.

A useful link that explores the issues involved when lux levels are too high, one way to reduce them is to take out the tubes which can help to reduce glare (this is what I do current office space). It also helps to reduce energy costs by not having the lights on. There is an interesting point raised here about natural daylight not being recommended when using computer screens?? Need for constant lux levels so eyes don't have to keep adjusting when looking away from the PC, and final comment made about changing the defusers with matt/velvet finishes and perspect placed above. All very interesting stuff which I'll be sharing with the company - maybe there's a wider lesson here for the KC group about advising Health and Safety guidelines for design of new buildings for employees /students with KC?
http://www.workplacelaw.net/forums/listComments/thread/DSE+Lux+Levels/thread_id/5751

The other link I found suggests lux levels are not so much the problem but it's about the type of louvre fitted (angle of lighting)
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Technical/Lighting/Lourve_Categorisation.html

If you're like me you will have found a way of working that helps you cope day to day, but the office move has made me think if there is a way my work environment can be improved further as I still have days when it's a struggle often due to fatigue much of it due to glare and the close work I have to do. So any thoughts welcomed!

Cheers for now

Alan

Hello there Alan

Thanks for raising such a very interesting topic. Lighting is, for me, probably the second biggest issue in terms of living with Keratoconus (the biggest being screen based work). What I've learned is that one size doesn't fit all. Or, indeed, anyone ! By which I mean, for people affected by Keratoconus what isn't effectice is a single fixed provision of lighting facilities. I've at various times over the years asked for this- or that- lighting to be put in place only to find that it might sort out one problem for a while, but then cause another problem later.

What I actually need is a high degree of control over all lighting. This is because there's no such thing as "natural light" -- at least, not in a way which is consistent and acceptable for people with Keratoconus at anything other than an early progression stage. Sitting at my desk in the early spring sunshine on a clear morning with an East-facing window, I "enjoy" plenty of natural daylight. Unfortunately, full sunlight streaming in -- while a thing of joy to my colleagues around me -- is much akin to torture for me.

So, any lighting must consider the following factors:

1) Seaonality -- dark Winter days present a different set of needs than long Summer ones
2) Time of day -- related to above, but different. What is needed first thing in the morning isn't the same as that which is needed in the middle of the day
3) Task -- a self-illuminating computer screen requires a change in light conditions compared with reading a printed page
4) Controls -- natural light and arfiticial light -- both need to be controlled for a person with Keratoconus, but they demand different methods of controlling them

What I've ended up with is a workplace situation where I can reduce all light levels (both artificial and natural)to practically zero or increase them to an intensity which is needed for the job I'm doing. So there's several different artifical light sources (both background and point-source/task) plus natual light from a window, but said window is equipped with a blackout blind for those times when Mother Nature is, frankly, being a bit of a pain.

Not really expensive reasonable adjustments; they just needed a bit of thinking about. That, and the courage to say "this is what I need to do my job" (tough, somtimes, to drop the guilt about asking for adjustments in my experience).

Bottom line for anyone with Keratoconus is to not underestimate the benefits of getting lighting right for your needs -- nor the suffering which can be caused if you don't.

Thanks again Alan.

Kind regards

Chris

Hi Chris

Thanks for sharing your experience. That’s very helpful. I think you hit it on the head - having control over all lighting is key to coping daily with KC. As you say light varies with the seasons, time of day etc. I’ve asked for an office space in the North side of the new building with black out blinds so I can be away from the sun. When it streams in it can be a bit of a killer! It does sound as though you’ve managed to get a good arrangement where you work.

You’re right about the need to speak up and not feel guilty. Good light levels benefit everyone so I feel I’m also helping colleagues to become more aware of having proper lighting for the tasks in hand. I just hope they don’t have too many reflective surfaces like shiny desks and white walls that reflect the light in the new office, as the plans I’ve seen are kind of space age, with hot desks (although I’ll get a fixed desk) and pod meeting areas. We won’t be able to leave paper on our desks when we pack up (good for dulling surfaces) for the night. It’s a paperless office. So it will be interesting!

Regards

Alan

I know this is a slightly different matter but I have really bad problems at work with lighting and screens I wonder if anyone could suggest anything prior to access to work visit. I work in ITU we have monitors and a computer at the end of every bed. The lighting varies from shift to shift. I have really bad head aches and have trouble when there is not enough light for the keyboard on night shift. I was interested to hear that others have these struggles. does anyone know of help with monitors and computer screens. jo

Hi Jo

Access to Work should be able to make an assessment of your situation and make some suggestions as to what might help. Your employer should also make a health and safety assessment as they have a duty of care for all employees, and they should take account of your eyesight and not put you under unnecessary strain. For me, this is the biggest cause of fatigue. When there's normal light during the summer, i cope better than having to rely on artificial light in winter. It sounds as if it's the poor lighting that's causing your headaches. You should speak to your health rep. - all employers should have one. Let them know and provide them with some info. about keratoconus so they can start to understand the difficulties. The report from Access to Work will also help your case to get the lighting and monitors changed if need be.

Hope that's of some help.

Alan

Thanks Alan
I will do that thanks