How to manage overhead lighting in your workspace so that your eyes are not strained?

Overhead lighting shapes both the ambiance and functionality of a workspace. Yet when it’s poorly designed or uncontrolled, it becomes one of the leading causes of eye strain, fatigue, and declining productivity. In a world where knowledge workers spend hours in front of screens, understanding how to manage lighting—especially when fixtures aren’t within your control—is more than an aesthetic concern. It’s a matter of health and efficiency.

---

The Hidden Costs of Bad Overhead Lighting

Eye strain, known medically as asthenopia, is a growing occupational hazard. Symptoms include dryness, blurred vision, headaches, and difficulty focusing. Overhead lighting can trigger or worsen these issues in several ways:

• Glare: Direct glare forces eyes to overcompensate, exhausting visual focus.

• Uneven Illumination: Pockets of darkness or overly bright zones create constant readjustment, leading to fatigue.

• Color Temperature: Harsh, bluish light often heightens strain, while warmer tones mimic natural daylight and feel easier on the eyes.

Studies from the American Academy of Ophthalmology link prolonged exposure to harsh lighting with cumulative stress on the visual system, especially in office workers tethered to screens for long hours. I have personally experienced a higher level of uneasiness