Most people don’t know what exactly blue light is and its effects on their eyes. Some say that it has no health benefits and that you should always have on your eyes safety glasses to protect them from this light. But you’d be surprised at what blue light can do for you.
Blue light is everywhere
You can find blue light everywhere. Aside from sunlight, which is the primary source of blue light, you can also find it on TV screens, computer monitors, and mobile phones.
Because blue light can be found in electronic gadgets, which we use for multiple hours every day, we are constantly exposed to it. This could lead to two problems, namely macular degeneration and insomnia.
Macular degeneration
Blue light is one of the most powerful rays in the spectrum of lights, and the retina is very sensitive to light. On top of that, our eyes are incapable of blocking blue light from hitting the retina.
So, when we often use our electronic devices, the blue light that comes from the monitors makes its way to our retina, slowly damaging it. Of course, these electronic gadgets emit a low amount of blue light, but since we frequently use them, the exposure could be enough to cause degeneration of the retina.
When you suffer from macular degeneration, you won’t be able to discern faces, read letters, or see well enough to drive. It’s important that you avoid using your mobile phone or laptop too frequently to prevent macular degeneration.
Insomnia
The good thing about blue light can also be the bad thing about this ray. According to scientists, exposure to blue light can stimulate the brain, making it more alert. It can even help improve your memory, mood, and cognitive function.
This is why more companies are now using light bulbs that emit large amounts of blue light to help their employees be more focused and alert. However, too much exposure to this light could also lead to insomnia.
That’s because blue light is capable of disrupting the circadian rhythm, which is our body clock. The circadian rhythm tells us when to sleep and when to wake up. If we’re exposed to a moderate amount of blue light, we can adjust our sleep cycle so that we’re more alert when we’re supposed to be feeling sleepy.
But if we’re exposed to too much blue light, it could easily disrupt our sleep cycle that we develop insomnia. So, even if it’s way past your bedtime, you find that your mind is still very much alert and active.
This happens to some videogame players who spend countless hours in front of a screen. The blue light they get from playing has disrupted their sleep cycle. That’s why even when they’ve already been playing for more than 10 hours, they still feel alert.
These are some of the negative consequences of frequent exposure to blue light. Not only will it make you lose sleep, but it could also damage your retinas to the point that you’ll lose your sense of sight.
