The effect of light on the eye health of people with access to the Central Library Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University.

Abstract

This objective of this study was to measure the light intensity in comparison with the standard intensity set by the Ministry’s regulations which aimed to manage the 2006 occupational health safety as well as work environment in terms of heat, light, and noise. Furthermore, this research was focused on the study of the possible light that could effect on the eyes of the 385 Central library users who encountered heat, light and noise while using the library services. Light measurement was conducted and a room average measuring value was selected. There were 3 locations selected for this measurement including1). Building of the President office, ground floor and mezzanine. 2). Chalermprakiet Building, from 1st to 5th floor. The obtained results were compared with the Ministry’s regulations and the light effects to the eye health of Central Library users were analyzed.
According to the results of light intensity measurement , light in day time was averagely 300 Lux at the mezzanine of the President Office, the 2nd Floor, 3rd Floor and 5th Floor of the Chalermprakiet building. The highest measurement was 490.30 Lux, whereas the lowest was at 315.47 Lux. It was lower than standard light on the 2nd Floor of the President office. It appeared that the 1st Floor and the 4th Floor of the Chalermprakiet building came with the highest rate at 265.78 Lux and the lowest rate at 107.49 Lux. Additionally, the average dark light at the President office, mezzanine floor was at about 290.41 Lux, which was lower than the standard noon’s light.
In terms of the library users on a daily basis, 63.38% were women whereas 36.62% were men. Regular period of the used service is about 1-2 hours which was accounted for 45.71%. The majority of the library users wore spectaculars and contact lenses or at about 70.39%. 74.03% of the library users had vision issues prior to using the library services. 76.36% did not believe that the eye problem came from light effects. In terms of light effect to the eye health study, 37.4% did not have dry eye issue. 44.2% did not see composite pictures. 40% had trivial headache. 38.4% had slight eyes irritation. 49.4% had eyelid twitching with no symptoms. 39% had slight unclear vision.40.3% were with slight running tears with no symptoms. Lastly 41.8% were with low level of eye pain.
In summary, the light affected the library users at low levels, the causes of effects came from several factors including the periods and places that users chose to access the services. Furthermore, inappropriated light from fluorescent lamps could cause the eyes unwanted effects. Such inappropriated light did not directly lead to short-sighted vision or eye symptoms but it was in associated with eye health anyhow. Either reading light or working light should suit users’ purposes. Light should not be too bright or too dark as it would trigger eye muscles to work harder. After using the Central Library, eyes may have been affected by inappropriate light that could later cause eye symptoms afterwards.