Blue light is a part of the “visible light spectrum” that can be seen easily by the human eye. Blue light has a wavelength between 380nm and 500nm; which makes the blue light the shortest, highest-energy form of visible light. Blue light is found everywhere.
When we’re outside, light from the sun travels through the atmosphere. The primary sources of blue light are the sun and light we receive from digital screens on devices including computers, laptops, TVs, tablets and smartphones, other electronics gizmos and LED and fluorescent lighting.
Health effects of exposure to blue light
We spend hours in front of digital screens, and studies show this is not good for us. Excessive exposure to blue light can change your mood and heighten awareness, but it can also lower the production of melatonin, the hormone that helps you sleep. Harvard researchers have linked working night shifts and excessive exposure to blue light to cancer, heart disease, obesity and risk of depression. Blue light damages eyesight, too.
Researchers are confused that why blue light is having such dangerous effects on our health.
74% of teens aged 12-17 access the internet on tablets, cellphones, and other mobile devices at least occasionally.
Blue light and eye strain
Many of us spend several hours in front of digital screens:
- Personal mobile phone
- TVs
- When playing video games
- At work.
All these electronic gadgets damage our eyesight.
This is a medical illness that has severe symptoms that can affect our learning and work productivity. These symptoms include blurred vision – referred to as computer vision syndrome – in which causes dry and irritated eyes, neck pain and headaches.
Blue light and macular degeneration
Medical researchers have proved that the constant contact with blue light may cause permanent damage to the cells in the center of the retina, and might also cause age-related macular degeneration, which can lead to vision loss. The retina can be harmed by this high-energy visible radiation, which penetrates the macular pigment inside the retina.
It not only affects adults; children are also profoundly affected. Children these days are exposed a lot to digital devices, and the hyperactivity observed in many children is an adverse effect of blue light. According to a study made by the Kaiser Family Foundation, teenagers and children spend more than 7 hours a day on average using devices that emit blue light. The cornea and crystalline lens and cornea are transparent and overexposed to this light. Parents should check on their children to reduce their screen time.
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