The Impact of Blue Light on Your Eyesight and How to Minimize the Risks

Have you ever imagined your sleepless nights and rising irritability in the office are because of some “blue light?” Eye doctors say this “blue light” is hazardous as it will render an entire generation of humans blind or semi-blind making within the next two decades. Where does this blue light come from, and why is it so dangerous – it originates from the monitor of our mobiles and laptops and will do significant damage to our eye’s retina in the long run.

What is blue light?

Blue light is one of the lights in the VIBGYOR spectrum, and it has higher concentrated energy than all the other lights and a very short wavelength. LEDs in the monitors emit nearly all the electronic devices to get that perfect resolution and colorful images. Due to its high energy concentration, the light strikes our eyes with full force and damages the eye retina.

It is wise to avoid too much screen time and carefully follow the eye doctors’ advice. Check your eyes regularly and wear protective glasses to keep your eyes safe from electronic device usage. You can get same day eyeglasses delivered at your destination, no matter if it is a prescription glass or a high-end lens. There are online stores providing quality prescription glasses at affordable prices.

Dangers of blue light 

Cataracts before 15 years, macular degeneration, and sometimes even loss of eyesight – the dangers of the blue light are endless. Watching a mobile screen for several hours, playing games, or seeing a video will render your eyes weak and unable to adjust to the usual light for at least half an hour. Spending several hours before the screens emitting blue lights without proper precautions can cause various eye diseases.

Experts state that children under the age of 5 limit screen time to 3 hours a day to grow up with healthy eyes. Blue light has the shortest wavelength, which affects the nerves of young children more drastically than the elders. The constant swiping and changing colors pose a significant challenge to their little brains in conjuring what is happening, leading to a short attention span.

Ways to minimize the impact

Using a blue light filter on the monitors of the electronic devices is the best way to minimize the damage. Research shows one can reduce nearly 94% of the damage done to the eyes using suitable filters. Wear a blue-light-blocking glass while using your mobile for a long time, like playing games overnight. Place a blue light cutting filter for laptops and other monitors and buy a quality one that does not affect the screen resolution.

Do not depend upon the electronic devices to get every information and read the print material. Spend some time outdoors and finish your work in your system quickly without unnecessary browsing. Keep your entertainment offscreen, like taking a walk outside, visiting a new place, or driving leisurely on a long stretch of road. Netflix is not the only way to kill time and spend the weekend as other eye-friendly options are also available.

Precautionary measures

Taking preventive measures will significantly minimize the blue light damage caused to the eye. The researchers call blue light eye damage “phototoxicity,” and too much TV watching doesn’t affect you and your kids alone. It can also harm your pets as they stay with you in the living room watching the screen, and their eyes are much more delicate than yours. Avoid Phototoxicity by increasing your knowledge about the subject and blue-light proofing your electronic monitors. 

Rest your eyes enough with amicable lighting or complete darkness when sleeping. Too much blue light and screen time will not allow your brain to gain sleep quickly and give you a restless sleep. Take regular breaks from the screen and do some physical work instead of checking your mobile and resume playing or working after a 5 minutes break.

Must follow rules

The short wavelength and high energy concentration of blue light in our eyes create immense heat, increasing the chances of colorectal cancers. It also causes sleep issues and mental health issues in the long run because a sleep-deprived body is naturally depression-prone. Always follow three important rules to protect yourself from the blue light exposure in the home and office.

Take supplementation to boost the macular pigment in the eyes after consulting your eye doctor and getting a thorough check-up. Take a supplement with Zeaxanthin, and Lumega Z, the two primary carotenoids necessary to strengthen the macular pigmentation. Take Meso-zeaxanthin supplements if the eye doctor recommends it if you have too much blue light exposure. Eat eye-healthy food like carrots regularly at your breakfast and lunch in some form like a smoothie or a salad. Try to keep the body, mainly your eyes, cool in every possible way by applying gel pads, resting them regularly, etc.