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Harlowelife
Harlowelife research · Method 01

Why measure the actual desk,
not just the lamp's output?

Published July 24, 2026· Harlowelife research and product team · Updated October 29, 2026

Optical instruments and calibration positions on a real work surface
Work-surface measurement illustration. Production data will be published after the product version is finalized.

The key point

Rated lamp output is not the light a person receives at a task. Height, distance, angle, surface reflectance and room conditions change illuminance on the desk. The calibration approach places a movable sensor at the actual reading or keyboard position for a work-surface measurement.

Validation of a measurement method does not establish health outcomes. Those require production data and relevant human studies.

Four measures, four different questions

Work-surface illuminance

How much light reaches the desk, page or keyboard position?

Vertical illuminance at the eyes

Assess light from the person's viewing position, as well as on the horizontal desk.

Visual quality

Consider uniformity, flicker, glare, spectrum and actual working distance together.

Melanopic equivalent daylight illuminance

Melanopic EDI is calculated using CIE S 026 from the spectrum and amount of light at the eye position. A work-surface lux reading alone does not provide this measurement.

Current evidence status

Item Current status Publication commitment
Desk-sensor calibration procedure Validation documentation pending review Publish the calibration steps, applicable conditions and supporting validation records once reviewed.
Work-surface illuminanceSample measurements publishedSee the SOLA Desk product page for the stated sample and test setup. Production-version results require separate confirmation.
Working-white color readingsSample readings publishedState the calculation methods, light setting and measurement conditions alongside the values.
Flicker and glareDetailed evidence not presented on this pageAdd the applicable methods, operating conditions and results when the supporting records are available.
Visual comfort over longer use In research Describe outcomes only after relevant human data exists.
Sleep, alertness and long-term well-being In research Not current product-benefit claims

Research boundaries

The light reaching the eyes depends on the room, viewing position, spectrum and intensity. Timing, duration, previous light exposure and individual differences also matter. CIE S 026 defines relevant measurement quantities. Visual performance data and eye-level exposure should be reported separately from claims about human outcomes.

Key sources

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Regional references for lighting professionals

Our measurement references and research sources are shared across markets. For workplace projects, use guidance that matches the location and task. The documents below cover different topics; they are not interchangeable standards or certifications of this product.