lumie Brightspark Instruction Manual
- June 7, 2024
- lumie
Table of Contents
lumie Brightspark Instruction Manual
1 Introduction
Using Brightspark will provide you with the bright light your body needs during the dark winter months. It can help to boost your energy levels, put you in a better mood and make you feel more awake1. Light therapy is safe and is proven to help alleviate the winter blues and SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)2. Please read these instructions carefully to get the most out of your Brightspark.
- J Affect Discord. 2000 Jan-Mar;57(1-3):55-61.
- Am J Psychiatry. 2005 Apr;162(4):656-62.
2 Precautions
Research shows that light therapy is very safe. However, please check with your doctor first if any of the following apply:
- you have a major eye problem or have had eye surgery;
- you have been advised to avoid bright light or are taking medication that may cause photo-sensitivity;
- you have been diagnosed with depression or other mood/sleep disorders. This is especially important if you are also taking medication for this, since light therapy can also affect your mood.
A few people experience side effects but these are generally mild (including
headaches, eye strain, nausea and hyperactivity) and can usually be solved
simply by switching off the light. Over the next few days, gradually build up
the time you spend in front of it to find a treatment time that works best for
you. Some people complain of difficulty sleeping and often this is down to
using the light too close to bedtime.
If you have any problems while using Brightspark, or if you’ve been using the
light for a week but haven’t noticed any benefit, please call Lumie or speak
to your doctor. IMPORTANT: the guidelines in this leaflet are not medical
directions for treating any condition. If your doctor has suggested using
light therapy, follow their instructions and discuss any effects with them.
3 Safety
- Keep the unit away from water and damp. For indoor use only.
- Keep the cable away from heated surfaces. If the cable is damaged it must be replaced by Lumie, a Lumie distributor or suitably qualified person in order to avoid a hazard.
- Children using the light, or playing near it, should be supervised.
- Do not attempt to service any part of the unit.
- It’s possible there may be some interference between this product and other electronic products close by, notably mobile phones. Usually this is in the form of audible noise and all you need do is move them apart.
- Always use the correct bulbs (24W/PLL/860).
- At the end of its life, do not throw the unit out with normal domestic waste. Please take it to an official recycling point to be disposed of responsibly.
4 Getting started
If the product is damaged please contact us before use. Position Brightspark
at arm’s length (about 50cm/20in) with the plastic screen angled towards your
face. Plug into the power outlet and switch on.
Although you don’t need to stare at it, the light must reach your eyes to have
any effect. This means you can use Brightspark whilst you’re working at the
computer, watching TV, reading, etc. Dark glasses, tinted lenses or closing
your eyes will all limit the effects of light therapy. You should notice
positive benefits after using Brightspark for three or four days in a row.
5 When should I use it?
It’s best to tackle the winter blues and SAD as soon as possible. Look out for
early signs – often in September or October – and if you start to feel
lethargic, anxious or irritable, start using your Brightspark.
Most people can skip a day here and there, especially when the weather is
bright. As spring comes around you will probably start to cut back your light
therapy; your body will tell you if it’s too soon and if you notice your
symptoms returning simply use your Brightspark again for a few days.
Light therapy is proven to put you in a better mood, to boost alertness and to
help you feel more awake. Use Brightspark wherever and whenever you need to
restore concentration and give yourself a mental boost.
You can monitor your progress using the questionnaire at the end of the
instructions.
6 What time of day?
If you’re using Brightspark to help with the winter blues or SAD, bright light in the morning has been shown to be most effective so try that first. For some people, early evening light exposure is beneficial. Whether you’re using Brightspark for winter blues, SAD or as a general pick-me-up, once you’ve found a pattern that’s right for you, try to use it around the same time every day.
I find it difficult to get going in the morning
Switch on as soon as you can. If you don’t have much time in the morning, then
you should aim for a top-up or full session in the afternoon. You could take
your Brightspark to work if you’re at a desk every day.
I feel sleepy or fall asleep too early
Use Brightspark in the late afternoon/early evening. It’s best to avoid bright
light too close to bedtime – within about three hours as you may find it
difficult to get to sleep.
7 How long?
Everybody’s different but, if you use Brightspark at about 50cm/20in as
suggested, 45-90 minutes will probably be enough though there’s no harm in
using it for longer; you can make up this time by dipping in throughout the
day. If you’re more comfortable with it further away, then less light will
reach your eyes and you’ll need to use it for longer.
If you find your eyes ache slightly, try moving it further away or switch off
for a while.
8 Problem solving
The light is less bright or doesn’t come on at all
- One or both of the bulbs may have failed. Switch off and unplug the lightbox. Let it cool if necessary.
- Lay it on a flat surface and gently squeeze the plastic screen lengthways to remove it from the case.
- Check that the bulbs are firmly in the sockets. If you have to adjust them, plug in the lightbox and switch on afterwards to see if this has worked.
The bulbs are firmly in place but it hasn’t fixed the problem
- You may need to replace the bulb(s). To remove a bulb, push the red button down hard and slide the bulb out of the socket.
- Gently slide the replacement bulb into the socket until it clicks into position.
I’ve replaced the bulbs but it’s still not working
- It is possible that the plug fuse might have blown. The correct fuse is a 3A fuse to BS1362.
- If your Brightspark keeps blowing fuses, there is a problem and you should contact us.
If this doesn’t work or if you have any other problems with your Brightspark, please call Lumie. Do NOT remove the reflector as there are no user- serviceable parts under the reflector.
9 Replacement bulbs
The bulbs will slowly lose their brightness so, to maintain maximum output, we recommend you change them after about 500 hours of use. Replacements are available from Lumie.
10 Warranty
This unit is covered under warranty against any manufacturing defect for 3 years from the date of purchase. This is in addition to your statutory rights. If you are returning your Brightspark for service, it must be in its original packaging including internal pieces. Please call Lumie for further advice.
11 Technical specification
Specification subject to change without notice.
Lumie Brightspark
230Vac, 50Hz, 55W
Lamp: 2 x PLL/24W/860
Operating temperature: 0°C-35°C
Class IIa Medical Device
12 Contact us
Lumie is Europe’s leading specialist in light therapy. Our products are based on the latest scientific studies and we focus solely on light therapy and its benefits. If you have any suggestions that you feel could help us improve our products or service, or if there are problems you think we should know about, please call the Lumie Careline on +44 (0)1954 780500 or email info@lumie.com.
Lumie
3 The Links, Trafalgar Way
Bar Hill
Cambridge
CB23 8UD
UK
Lumie is a trademark of: Outside In (Cambridge) Limited, incorporated in
England and Wales. Registered Number: 2647359. VAT No: GB 880 9837 71. This
questionnaire is designed to help you assess how much the lights are helping.
It is based on the standard tool used by doctors. Not everyone will have every
symptom but your total score should go down over the weeks. You might like to
talk it over with your doctor or another person in your household. Compared
with when you are well, how have you felt during the past week?
0 = no different 1 = a little bit 2 = somewhat 3 = quite a lot 4 = definitely,
badly
Lumie is a trademark of:
Outside In (Cambridge) Ltd
3 The Links, Trafalgar Way
Bar Hill
Cambridge CB23 8UD
UK
© Lumie 2011 Bi1111