LED lighting (350-650nm) undermines human visual performance unless supplemented by wider spectra (400-1500nm+) like daylight
Summary
The Scientific Reports article demonstrates that standard LED lighting in the 350–650 nm range can impair color-contrast vision, which can be mitigated by supplementing with broader spectra (400–1500 nm+). In a 22-subject study, introducing incandescent, broad-spectrum lighting improved visual performance across protan and tritan axes and these benefits persisted for up to six weeks after the incandescent light was removed. The work suggests broader public health considerations and the energy/trade-offs involved in lighting choices for built environments.