Protective Peepers: the Best Eye-Caring Desk Lamps for Comfortable Computing and Study

Q: What Can We Do to Protect Our Eyes?

Looking after your sight is no small matter; we all want to keep our eyes fresh and fabulous. Here are five easy steps you can follow to prevent eye discomfort and pain:

Eyes on Point: Eye Care Issues According to the World Health Organization

It's no secret that good eye health is crucial for overall well-being. Unfortunately, a staggering 2.2 billion people worldwide suffer from some form of visual impairment, with a shocking 1 billion cases being preventable or treatable. According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), those living in areas with better access to regular eye care tend to have lower rates of blindness. On the other hand, those in developed countries may be more at risk for myopia (nearsightedness) due to increased screen time indoors.

So, what can we do to protect our eyesight and prevent visual impairment? There are several steps you can take to protect your eyesight. These include getting regular eye exams, wearing protective eyewear, and taking breaks from screens every 20-30 minutes to rest your eyes.

We should also take care of our eyes while indoors. An eye-caring desk lamp can make a big difference for those who spend long hours in front of a computer screen. These lamps are designed to reduce strain on the eyes and prevent fatigue, making them an essential tool for maintaining good eye health in our modern world.

girl with glasses sitting in front of screen thinking

What Can We Do to Protect Our Eyes?

Looking after your sight is no small matter. We all want to keep our eyes fresh and fabulous. Here are five easy steps you can follow to prevent eye discomfort:

Take breaks from screens

Before considering the best desk lamp for eye protection, giving your eyes a break from all that screen time is essential. Try following the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away. This will help reduce eye strain and fatigue and give your peepers a rest.

Adjust your screen settings

Ensure your screen is at the proper distance from your eyes and that text and images are easy to read. Adjust brightness, contrast, and text size to ensure your eyes are comfortable. Think of it as giving your eyes the VIP treatment.

Blink frequently

Blinking helps to keep your eyes moist and prevents dry eyes, which can cause discomfort and pain. As the saying goes, the more you blink, the less you drink, although we do not endorse drinking less water. Just make sure to blink to keep those eyes well-lubricated. If you find yourself blinking less when using a digital device, try using eye drops to keep your eyes hydrated.

Consider computer glasses

If you spend a lot of time in front of a screen, it might be worth talking to your eye doctor about whether computer glasses are right for you. Special glasses with anti-reflective coating and blue light-blocking lenses can help reduce eye strain and prevent discomfort and pain. Your eyes will thank you for it.

Following these simple steps can prevent eye discomfort and keep your eyes happy and healthy. Go ahead and give your peepers the royal treatment, they deserve it!

Improve your lighting

Finally, finding the right kind of lighting is significant. Glare on your screen is a big no-no. To avoid it, position your monitor away from windows and other bright light sources. Use desk lamps or additional task lighting to eliminate glare and shadows. Trust us, nobody wants to see a screen full of glare, it's just not a good look.

Brightside or Foul Play? The Lowdown on Harmful Light Sources

Have you ever been to the dentist and had to stare at a bright light only to have your eyes start watering? Yeah, not fun. And it's a good reminder that not all lamps are created equal when it comes to your eyes. It can be tough to tell if a desk lamp will be good for your eyes without built-in safety features. So, to save you from potential eye discomfort, here are some unhealthy attributes that you might want to avoid in a desk lamp:

Blue light: found in the visible light spectrum and has shorter wavelength and higher energy than other light colors. While some blue light is necessary for good health, excessive exposure to blue light from screens and other sources can contribute to digital eye strain and may disrupt sleep patterns.
Flickering light: light that rapidly and repeatedly changes in brightness over time. Exposure to flickering light can cause eye strain, headaches, and other health issues.
Glare: the sensation of discomfort caused by looking at a bright light reflecting off a surface. Glare can cause eye strain and pain, especially when reading or working on a computer.
UV light: ultraviolet light is electromagnetic radiation with shorter wavelengths than visible light. While some UV light is healthy, excessive exposure to UV light can damage the eyes and skin.
Low Color Rendering Index (CRI): Have you ever noticed that colors can look different under different types of lighting? That's because various lamps have different performance when showing colors in the real world, called color rendering. For example, streetlights might make cars look like they have different colors at night. You'll want a lamp with a high Color Rendering Index (CRI) to get the most accurate and vibrant colors. Aim for a CRI of 80 or higher for indoor lighting. That way, you can enjoy all the true-to-life hues in your space.

traditional desk lamp provides yellowish light with glares on the screen

Who Needs an Eye-Caring Desk Lamp?

Many people may benefit from using an eye-caring desk lamp to reduce eye strain and discomfort. Some examples include:

Office warriors: if you spend all day staring at a computer screen at work, an eye-caring desk lamp can help reduce eye strain and fatigue.
Students: if you're a student who spends hours hitting the books, a desk lamp with low blue light and glare reduction can help protect your eyes and improve your focus.
Gamers: if you're a gamer who spends long hours in front of a screen, an eye-caring desk lamp can help reduce eye strain and fatigue.

Lamp it Up: Top 9 Things to Look for in an Eye-Friendly Desk Lamp

As a busy student, office warrior, or gamer, you may notice that your eyes are strained after pouring over textbooks or staring at your monitor for an extended period.

You might be thinking, "Okay, you got me. Eye protection is important, and I decided to invest in a new desk lamp. Just let me know some important factors to consider when buying an eye-caring desk lamp" Sure thing!

BenQ e-Reading desk lamp perfect for computer work and offices

Here are some key things to consider when shopping for the perfect eye-care desk lamp:

Brightness: you'll want to make sure your new lamp has enough oomph to properly illuminate your work area. Aim for a minimum of 500 lux, the recommended light level for reading spaces where you'll be using a computer for an extended period.
Flicker-free: flickering light can give you headaches, migraines, and eye discomfort – no thanks! To avoid these issues, look for a lamp with flicker-free LED bulbs.
No glare: glare can cause eye strain, so you'll want to find a lamp with a diffusion panel and functional coverage to reduce it. An adjustable design is also helpful for minimizing glare.
Low blue light: prolonged exposure to high intensity blue light from screens and devices can lead to eye strain. To protect your peepers, opt for a lamp with an LED bulb that doesn't emit intense blue light, and look for one with an adjustable color temperature feature.
Durability: you'll want a lamp that lasts, so look for one made with high quality materials and a long lifespan.
Adjustability: an adjustable desk lamp lets you change the direction and intensity of the light to suit your needs, which can help reduce eye strain.
Energy efficiency: look for a lamp with energy saving features like LED bulbs to reduce your carbon footprint and save some cash on your energy bill.
Aesthetics: of course, you'll want a lamp that looks good in your space. Choose a style and design that fits your personal taste.

office worker staring at computer screen with BenQ e-Reading Desk Lamp

Final Thought - Two Bright Desk Lamps for Students, Gamers, and Office Warriors!

Now that you know all there is to know about the importance of eye protection, you're ready to go out and buy the best eye-caring desk lamp for your needs. Be sure to consider the size and shape of the lamp and avoid ones that emit a lot of blue light or suffer from serious flicker.

And don't forget, if you are looking for a monitor light bar or desk lamp for your home or work space, check out the BenQ monitor light bar and e-reading desk lamp. The new BenQ ScreenBar and e-Reading Lamps have built-in sensors so just a simple tap gets them to adjust brightness throughout the day to deliver 500 lux to your desk. They also include additional specifications that allow you to alternate between warm and cool light, which can help work with different color palettes.

What do you think about our eye-care lighting? You should really see it for yourself!