CFL effect on your eyes

dragonofweed · #1 03-19-2008, 11:07 AM

Has anyone any info on the effects of CFL's on your eyes ? I feel almost blind after doing a little upkeep in my grow room. Does anyone have similar problems ? Because of the long recovery time until my sight is "normal" again, I wonder if this is doing any retenal damage ?

420inmyapt · #2 03-19-2008, 01:47 PM

i know my 1000 watt MH makes me see funny for almost a good 20 minutes after i step outside my grow op. has to be the same kind of issue, just intense light dilating your pules so much that you need to rest and let your eyes adjust naturally

pompeii · #3 03-19-2008, 02:50 PM

I wouldn't imagine it doing any retinal damage unless you look directly at the lights, and even then I wouldn't say for sure.

Golfing, going to the pool, or enjoying the beach would be far more damaging than any cfls could do.

420inmyapt · #4 03-19-2008, 02:58 PM

i wonder if CFL's could give you a sun burn?

GrizzSpitter · #5 03-19-2008, 03:22 PM

hahaha...oh wait. You guys are serious...

strictly'dope74 · #6 03-19-2008, 03:42 PM

hey why not try wearing sunglasses it sounds kinda stupid but if the light is too brite to work around then why not

purpletrainwreck · #7 03-19-2008, 03:47 PM

I think your eyes adjust to the light level difference and need time to adjust back...
I don't think it's harmfull... were just not use to it...
I heard it's not good to try and get a tan under them...
just don't look directly at the bulb....

Maccabee · #8 03-19-2008, 06:05 PM

I always wear glasses with UVA and UVB protection while working around HIDs. It helps with the afterimages, color washout, and lack of contrast that you experience after leaving the grow area as well. I've been doing the same around my CFL cabinets (although not as religiously) and I do feel it's more comfortable.

I recommend a cheap pair of amber colored glasses for daytime visits with ambient light present, and a light blue pair of nighttime driving/skiing glasses for evening/night hours or if your grow room is located in an otherwise dark location. You can use cheap minimart/gas station glasses, they don't have to be nice or even decent.

HID light is intense enough to cause damage, as is sufficiently concentrated CFL light at close proximity. Keep some cheap sunglasses around, especially if this is a long term hobby for you; your vision is not something to fsck with and damage from exposure builds up over time.

420inmyapt · #9 03-20-2008, 01:12 PM

... yea i was joking about the sunburn from a CFL.... lol HPS though.... its like having a grow room and a tanning salon in the same room

i stay a nice bronze color year round... lol, its either that or cause i am Italian

FilthyFletch · #10 03-20-2008, 01:24 PM

O doubt any cfl is strong enought to do any damage not even the kind made for growing like the 125-300 actual wattage bulbs. My 600 wats lights or 1000 watt light dont do much but when I go to an area I might have like 4 400 watt lights on or 2 600 watt lights and stay in the are more then an hour it takes a litttle bit to readjust out of the room