Harmful Effects of Blue Light and How to Prevent Them
Americans 18 years and older spend eleven hours a day on their electronic devices. Almost half of each day is devoted to looking at the laptop or smartphones, either for work or leisure.
These devices emanate blue light, which throws the body’s circadian rhythm out of whack. Natural sources of blue light, such as the sun, are not harmful. Only those that come from illuminated devices cause harm.
Blue Light Blocking glasses can shield you from the damaging effects of blue light. There are popular options for every mood. Working and playing on your devices has never been safer and more fun.
What is Blue Light?
The spectrum of light, the ones we usually see, are made of a range of colors. Light on the farthest end of the spectrum has the shortest wavelengths. These wavelengths emit more energy. Blue light is known as high energy visible light. It is the one filtered out by blue light glasses.
Blue wavelengths are disruptive at night, although they have positive effects during the daytime. And with the advent of electronics with screens, as well as LED lighting, increase our exposure to blue wavelengths, especially after sunset.
What are the Adverse Effects of Blue Light?
- It Disrupts the Sleep Cycle
Exposure to blue light before bedtime modifies the body’s sleep-wake cycle, also known as the circadian rhythm. It regulates the amount of light that you see. If within the day you are exposed to a significant amount of blue light, either from LED lights or electronic devices, your sleep quality will suffer.
Lack of sleep causes a handful of health problems, such as high blood pressure and weight gain. It can also increase your risk of diabetes and heart disease.
- Vision Problems
Your eyes work doubly hard to adjust to the blue light. It is where chronic eye strain begins. Prolonged exposure can contribute to vision issues such as maculardegeneration.
Blue light passes through the retina, which is the inner lining at the back of the eye. Very high exposure to blue light damages light-sensitive cells in the retina. It may cause permanent vision loss.
- Migraines and Headaches
Sensitive light, including blue light, triggers migraines. On the other hand, headaches occur because of eye strain and lack of sleep.
How Can I Protect Myself from Blue Light?
Blue Light Blocking glasses are an excellent way to protect your eyes from the harmful effects of blue light. Slightly-tinted yellow lenses block at least 50% of blue light. Wear your sunglasses for the following activities. The devices used in these activities emit blue light that is harmful to your health.
- Browsing on your phone
- Watching TV
- Working on your PC or Laptop
- Playing video games
- Playing on handheld consoles
These sunglasses effectively filter blue wavelengths without sacrificing your fashion sense. Look chic and experiment with shapes, colors, and sizes.
Certainly, the digital era is here to stay. Electronic devices are part of everybody’s daily routine. They may cause specific health issues. But thanks to the light-blocking technology, you can continue to view the modern world safely.
