Spectral eye fatigue in a school environment

Abstract

The eye fatigue information was expressed in writing by a randomly selected group of pupils in five Swedish comprehensive schools in winter and in spring. Simultaneous measurements of mixed electric light and daylight were made of spectral power distribution and illuminance at the classroom centre at pupil desk height. It is concluded that in this northern classroom environment of mixed electric light and daylight, the expressed eye fatigue was significantly higher in the experimental schools with mere skylight (monitor) windows as compared with the control schools with the regular side-view windows at eye-level height at sitting position. Also this fatigue was significantly higher among boys than among girls in classrooms with monitor windows as the only source of daylight and view. In a mild climate, this type of expressed eye fatigue was almost non-existent even in windowless schools and was totally non-existent in schools with side-view windows.