What's the blue light?
Blue light is a color in the visible light spectrum that can be seen by human eyes. Blue light is a short wavelength, which means it produces higher amounts of energy.
How does blue light impact you?
Studies show that exposure to blue light can cause eyestrain, fatigue, headaches, and sleeplessness.
Where is blue light?
Blue light is everywhere in our world. It used to be that the only source of blue light was from the sun. Now we have brought blue light inside by way of digital screens (found on TVs, Smartphones, computers, laptops, tablets and gaming systems), electronic devices, LED and fluorescent lighting.
Natural Blue Light v. Artificial Blue Light
Blue light wavelengths are everywhere and surround us. In fact, they’re the reason the sky appears blue. These short blue wavelengths collide with air molecules, which causes the blue light to scatter and makes us process the sky as blue. They’re also a natural form that helps to regulate the body’s sleep and wake cycles, also known as your circadian rhythm. Blue light also helps to boost your alertness, elevate your moods, heighten your reaction times and increase your overall feeling of wellbeing. Artificial blue light sources include electronic devices and certain types of lighting.
Concern about Blue Light Exposure
As one of the shortest, yet highest energy wavelengths in the light spectrum, the blue light flickers easier and longer than other types of weaker wavelengths. This flickering casts a glare that reduces your visual contrast, affecting clarity and sharpness. This can cause eye strain, physical and mental fatigue and headaches if you use your electronic devices or sit in front of a computer all day.
Our eyes have not evolved to provide filters against this type of artificial light. Prolonged exposure to blue light may lead to macular cellular damage, which may lead to loss of vision.
The medical profession is concerned exposure level of blue light for adults and children. Here are some interesting statistics:
- 43% of adults have a job that requires prolonged use of a tablet or computer
- 74% of teens between the ages of 12 to 17 use electronic devices at least occasionally
- 70% of adults that regularly use electronic devices report symptoms of digital eye strain
- 93% of teens have access to or have a computer.
Combat Blue Light Exposure
Here are some things you can do to help decrease your blue light exposure:
- Invest in Blue lenses, which are known as blue light filter glasses. These blue light lenses will help protect your eyes and reduce the amount of harmful blue light rays that reach your retina
- When staring at a digital screen, blink more often
- Take frequent breaks from staring at electronic devices
- Clean your screen, as a smudge-free, dust-free screen helps reduce glare
- Change digital device background colors from bright white to warmer colors to reduce eye strain.