In early 2026, Photon Assurance partnered with a Queensland hospital to develop a customised lighting solution for an operating theatre treating a patient with a rare photosensitivity condition.

The challenge was to modify the spectral output of the operating theatre lighting to remove wavelengths that posed a risk to the patient, while maintaining sufficient high-quality white light for the surgical team to work safely and effectively. Achieving this balance required careful consideration of both patient safety and the demanding visual requirements of the clinical environment.

Drawing on our expertise in light safety and optical engineering, we evaluated the spectral characteristics of the existing lighting and identified specialised optical filtering materials capable of selectively attenuating the hazardous wavelengths. The resulting solution provided the necessary protection for the patient while preserving the illumination and colour quality required for the procedure.

This project demonstrates how a detailed understanding of light, spectral engineering and optical materials can be applied to solve complex safety challenges in environments where standard lighting solutions are not sufficient.