By mid-afternoon the headaches start, eyes feel gritty and tired, and everyone blames their
screens. But often the real culprit is overhead — the office lighting. Bad lighting is an
invisible stressor your body fights all day, and the symptoms are real. Here is what causes it
and how to fix it.
Cause 1: Flicker You Cannot Consciously See
Many lights flicker rapidly — too fast to notice consciously, but your brain and eyes still
register it. This invisible flicker is strongly linked to headaches, eye strain and fatigue,
especially over a full working day. Cheap LED drivers and old tube lights are common offenders.
The fix is flicker-free fixtures with quality drivers.
Cause 2: Glare — Direct and On Screens
Glare is excessive brightness in your field of view — a bare bright fixture overhead, or
light reflecting off screens. Your eyes constantly strain to adjust. The fix is fixtures with
proper diffusers and shielding, and a controlled glare rating (look for UGR 19 or
below for screen-based work).
Cause 3: Harsh or Wrong Colour Temperature
Very cold, blue-rich light can feel harsh and clinical, contributing to discomfort,
especially late in the day. A balanced 4000K neutral white suits most offices.
Tunable systems that warm slightly through the day are even more comfortable.
Cause 4: Too Much or Too Little Light
Both extremes strain the eyes. Over-lit spaces cause glare and fatigue; under-lit ones make
people squint. Aim for the right level for the task:
| Area | Recommended Lux |
|---|---|
| General office | 300–500 lux |
| Detailed / drawing work | 500–750 lux |
| Meeting rooms | 300–500 lux (dimmable) |
Cause 5: No Daylight or Poor Balance
Harsh electric light with no daylight, or deep contrast between bright windows and dim
interiors, tires the eyes. Balancing daylight with dimmable electric light helps a lot.
The Fix in One Line
Flicker-free, glare-controlled (UGR ≤19), good-CRI fixtures at 4000K and the right lux —
that combination removes the most common lighting causes of workplace headaches and eye strain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can office lighting really cause headaches?
Yes — invisible flicker, glare and harsh colour temperature are known causes of headaches,
eye strain and fatigue at work.
What is flicker-free lighting?
Lighting with quality drivers that eliminate the rapid flicker (often unnoticed consciously)
linked to eye strain and headaches.
What colour temperature is easiest on the eyes in an office?
Around 4000K neutral white for most offices; avoid very cold, blue-rich light, especially
later in the day.
What is UGR in lighting?
Unified Glare Rating — a measure of glare; aim for UGR 19 or below for comfortable
screen-based work.
Reway’s flicker-free, glare-controlled
office lighting range is designed for all-day comfort. Get a comfortable office lighting plan →
