What is Blue Light and How Does it Affect Your Eyes?
The spectrum of Light ranges from low energy waves to high energy waves. The colors that are perceived by the human eye are in fact a reflection of light and how it hits an object. Each color disperses in different patterns. Blue light waves can scatter much more than any other color, this is why a large body of water will seem blue.
The sun is a natural source of blue light that impacts the senses in such a manner that it prompts the body to remain awake and perform all the required daytime tasks. In fact, sunlight helps the body grow, and remain healthy and energetic.
However, with technological development mankind has developed several artificial sources of blue light that are not the best for human health. Blue light waves are the most intense waves that enter the human eye; just above where they lie on the electromagnetic spectrum are UV radiation waves which can physically harm the eyes.
The LED lights and electronic screens that our eyes are exposed to have the same effect on your eyes as blue light. Due to constant exposure to these devices for hours on end, the effect can be harmful.
Blue Light is not always a problem and certain wave lengths of this light are necessary for the eye to see properly and it even helps promote the sleep-wake cycle. But excessive use of artificial sources of lighting can cause damage to the natural way in which the body responds to blue light waves.
What can be Done to Prevent Damage?
There are a few changes you can make to your lifestyle to reduce the negative effects of blue light. The first step is to get an eye exam to determine the amount of damage that has been done. This can help determine whether medication is required to minimize the effects.
If the damage does not need medication there are a few things you can do to reduce the effects of blue light:
Glasses
Not all glasses are made to filter out the harmful blue rays. You can get glasses with a special coating that helps filter out the harmful rays and keep the retina protected from the negative effects of artificial light sources.
Lifestyle changes
- Quit using mobile phones at least two hours before you go to sleep. The Light from the screens can affect the sleeping cycle and cause you to stay awake much longer than you should.
- Keep the brightness low on your mobile devices. Unless you are out in the sun, the bright light can damage the retina and weaken eyesight.
- If you have children, reduce the screen-time to a very short period. As their eyes are developing the blue light can have more side effects for them.
- Each food that is rich in carotenoids and other antioxidants such as zeaxanthin and lutein. These foods include carrots, tomatoes, spinach, kale, and other green or yellow vegetables.
