Blue light is everywhere in digital screen’ world. But you might be wondering what does all this screen time mean for our eyes? A convenient way to reduce your blue light exposure is to use a blue light filters for your iPhone, iPad, MacBook and protective eyewear.
Blue light filters are some special tools applied special craft or materials that could blocks light in the 380-500 nanometer range.
Usually we call these tools as blue light filter: blue light screen protectors, blue light blocking glasses or lenses, anti blue light app, blue light filting lights and so on.
In this article, you’ll learn about blue light, what it means for you and tips to help you manage your exposure. Now let’s enter into world of blue light and explore the secrets together.
Contents:
- What is blue light?
- Where is blue light sources?
- What are the effects of blue light/blue ray?
- What does blue light do to your eyes?
- What are the benefits of blue light?
- What Can You Do to Protect Your Eyes from Blue Light?
What Is Blue Light?
Blue light is a range of the visible light spectrum, defined as having a wavelength between 400−495 nm. This short wavelength means that blue light is a type of HEV (high-energy visible light), defined as having a wavelength between 400 and 450 nm. Because the blue/violet band of the visible spectrum has a particularly high frequency.
Blue light isn’t some special form of light that only comes from computers and LED lights – it’s actually all around us. In fact, sunlight is the main source of blue light. When you walk outside during the daytime, you’re exposed to blue light.
The blue light emitted by the sun is the reason we see the sky as blue. It’s these light waves that get reflected and bounced around the most by the Earth’s atmosphere.
The light spectrum consists of UV, visible and infrared light. Visible light accounts for 50% of the light spectrum and, as the name suggests, it’s the only part of light that can be detected by the human eye.
(UV and Infrared Light are both invisible). These different colored light rays contain different amounts of energy.
Warm Tip: Blue light of wavelength in the 450nm more or less is most harmful to eyes.
PERFECTSIGHT Eye Care Screen Protectors for iPhone,iPad,MacBook and Blue Light Blocking Glasses could filter up to 55%-70% of Blue light of wavelength in the 450nm, you & your boleves’eyes deserve owing them.
Where Is Blue Light Sources?
Blue light sources are becoming increasingly common in today’s environment. Exposure to blue light comes from a variety of technologies including
- Fluorescent light
- CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs
- LED light
- Flat screen LED televisions
- Computer monitors, smart phones, and tablet screens
Much of the exposure arises from light emitting diodes (LEDs). Today, manufacturers use brighter LED lights because they are more efficient. LED screens are also thinner, lighter, longer – lasting and have a better color resolution.
But, it’s these brighter LED lights – along with modern day habits – that expose us to more blue light than ever before.
What are the effects of blue light/blue ray?
There are two sides to anything in the world, blue light is no exception. Today, we want to talk about the harms and benifits of blue light.
There are many negative effects involved with blue light. The amount of time we spend looking into these electronic digital screens results in eye discomfort and can very well lead to long-term problems. This light may affect vision and could prematurely age the eyes.
What does blue light do to your eyes?
1. The negative effects of Blue Light – Macular Degeneration
Just as UV light can harm our cornea and skin, more and more studies are linking an overexposure of Blue Light to macular degeneration.
The macular is part of the retina, which is a vital part of our vision; without it, we cannot see.
There are eye doctors that believe the overexposure to Blue Light, due in large part to our dependency on digital devices, can damage our retina. Some reference the increased prevalence of macular degeneration, as well as people developing it at younger ages.
Being careful about macular degeneration is particularly important to older generations that have had cataract surgery. Starting by the time we’re 40, our eyes start to develop a pigment that naturally filters Blue Light.
But, cataract patients have this removed from their lens and therefore are highly susceptible to Blue Light. It’s important to note that this is a new field of study because high energy lit screens are new, as is our overwhelming dependency on computers (at the turn of the millennia, all our phones could do were call and text).
There are studies done in stem cell and animal models that point to Blue Light harming our retina; there are still some, though, that question those beliefs. Regardless, there is no harm in filtering Blue Light, and many times it’s better to be safe than sorry.
2.The negative effects of Blue Light – Poor Sleep
Blue Light suppresses melatonin secretion, which is a chemical that makes us sleepy and helps manage our circadian rhythm and sleep-wake-cycle. The sun produces both UV light and Blue Light.
Ten thousand years ago, this Blue Light would enable us to wake up in the morning and be tired by the nighttime when there was no Blue Light. But, today’s world has changed quite a bit.
Most of us are up into the night and many times in front of our screens (staying late at work, watching TV, reading on our phone or tablet). Because of this, we expose ourselves to Blue Light way past the time that we’re supposed to receive it. As such, Blue Light can be one of the reasons that it’s hard for many of us to fall asleep, stay asleep, and feel rested in the morning.
A good night’s sleep is incredibly important. More and more studies link poor sleep with poor health. Scientists have shown that it can increase our weight while others have linked poor sleep to certain cancers.
While some studies are still yet to be confirmed, it’s clear that sleeping well is important to health, let alone our productivity. Think about it, how much harder is it to work well after sleeping too few hours?
3.The negative effects of Blue Light – Digital Eye Strain
Digital Eye Strain (DES)—also known as Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS)—is a group of symptoms associated with the overuse of digital devices.
Do you have following Symptoms of Digital Eye Strain?
- Redness, irritation or dry eyes from staring at the bright backlight of screens for long periods; also reduced blinking;
- Blurred vision due to screen glare;
- General fatigue from staring at screens and straining to see small fonts and images;
- Back and neck pain due to poor body posture when a screen is not positioned properly;
- Headaches from repeated eye strain.
While DES is not permanent, it is aggravating, uncomfortable, and distracting. Blue Light can contribute to Digital Eye Strain for a variety of reasons. Its high-frequency light can stress out the eye.
Additionally, LEDs can be bothersome because of the distinct contrast and sensitivity from the powerful light and surrounding environment. Glare also contributes to Digital Eye Strain, which computer screens produce.
What are the benefits of blue light?
It’s well documented that some blue light exposure is essential for good health. Research has shown that high-energy visible light boosts alertness, helps memory and cognitive function and elevates mood.
Blue light is needed for good health:
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Blue Light Is Antibacterial
– Blue light can decontaminate hospital and clinic rooms. It can kill bacteria that cause hospital-acquired infections
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Blue Light Helps with Fatigue
– Blue light reduced fatigue and daytime sleepiness
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Blue Light Increases Alertness
– Blue light therapy improves reaction times and improves working memory.
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Blue Light regulates circadian rhythm
– the body’s natural wake and sleep cycle. Exposure to blue light during daytime hours helps maintain a healthful circadian rhythm. Too much exposure to blue light late at night (through smart phones, tablets, and computers) can disturb the wake and sleep cycle, leading to problems sleeping and daytime tiredness.
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Blue Light Increases Alertness
– Blue light therapy improves reaction times and improves working memory.
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Blue Light Helps with Depression
– Daytime use of blue-enriched white light helps improve sleep and decreases depression and agitation in patients with dementia
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Blue Light May Affect Metabolism
– By affecting the circadian rhythm, blue light can have different effects on our metabolism (energy production).Blue-enriched light reduced sleepiness and increased glucose metabolism in 19 adults exposed for three hours during morning or evening on otherwise dim light conditions. But, there was no effect on hunger
Warm Tip: Excess exposure to visible light can have damaging effects on cells.
Exposure to high levels (high intensity or long time) of blue light can be toxic; but, short-term use is safe
What Can You Do to Protect Your Eyes from Blue Light?
Although constant exposure to blue light from smart phones, tablets, and computer screens is an big issue for us to face in digital life.
To more decrease exposure to blue light and enjoy healthy colorful screen world, you need to know there are a few ways and some blue light filters to help you as follow:
Eye Care Screen Filters
Screen filters, (also called blue light filter screen protectors applied a speciall coating that blocks blue light in the 380-500 nanometer wavelength range) are available for smart phones, tablets, laptop and computer screens. They decrease the amount of blue light given off from these devices that could reach the retina in our eyes.
Tip 1: Avoid looking at bright screens beginning two to three hours before bed.