The Science of Laboratory Lighting: Basic Principles for Optimal Work

• Precise dental work requires clever lighting concepts.
• Uniform light distribution is more important than spot brightness.
• New optical possibilities improve working conditions.
• The technical article by MDT Sascha Hein provides some well-founded analyses.

MDT Sascha Hein examines the scientific principles of good laboratory lighting in an article in “dental dialogue” magazine. His analysis shows that correct lighting is much more than just a question of brightness.

➤ You can also read Sascha Hein's analysis of ideal workplace lighting in the article “Color perception in dental technology: Why color arises in the brain” 

“In dental technology, the constant observation of the smallest items and the assessment of shapes and colors demands maximum performance from the eyes,” explains Hein at the beginning of his article. A good light source not only aids visual function but also promotes well-being and reduces eye fatigue.

In his analysis, Sascha Hein distinguishes two central parameters:

• Lumen (lm) measures the total amount of visible light emitted by a light source in every direction.  However, this value alone says little about the quality of the lighting.
• Lux (lx) describes the illuminance (intensity of illumination); in other words, the amount of light reaching a specific surface.  This value is crucial in practical work.

A survey amongst dental technicians produced some interesting results: An intense concentration of brightness on the working center was perceived as unpleasant. In contrast, uniform, high brightness over the whole working area enables more relaxed and efficient work.

Sascha Hein’s analysis shows that conventional worklights have their highest intensity in the middle and decrease sharply towards the outside in a circular pattern. This restricts the possible illuminance, as excessive differences in brightness impair visual function. New technical developments address this challenge with special optical systems. For example, Renfert's LIGHT 1 worklight distributes the light evenly across the entire working area, avoiding any annoying differences in brightness.

In his analysis, Hein defines clear criteria for assessing laboratory lighting:

• Uniform illumination of the entire working area
• Sufficient illuminance without any glare
• Adaptation of the light distribution to the geometry of the workplace
• Avoidance of disturbing differences in brightness

Sascha Hein’s article makes it clear: Good laboratory lighting is based on sound scientific principles.  Understanding these basic principles helps to optimize your own working conditions and leads to more precise, fatigue-free work.

➤ You can download the complete article by Sascha Hein with detailed technical analyses from dental dialogue here (in German language only): Download.

➤ Further valuable information on the subject of workplace lighting and light science can also be found directly on Sascha Hein's personal blog page and his further blog article on  LIGHT 1.