How Blue Light Could Damage Cells In Your Eyes
Fiona McMillanFormer Contributor
During daylight, blue wavelengths of light can be beneficial, playing an important role in setting circadian rhythms, boosting attention and mood. But we didn’t evolve to be exposed to it as much as we are. In addition to the ample blue light in sunlight, most of the light we are exposed to via digital devices is also blue. For example, the most common type of LED used in electronic devices is a white-light LED, which actually has a peak emission in the blue wavelength range (400 – 490 nm). Moreover, the eye’s cornea and lens are unable to block or reflect blue light.Increasing evidence suggests that blue light has a dark side. At night, it can suppress the secretion of melatonin and wreak havoc on our circadian rhythms, and recent studies have shown that extended exposure to blue light can damage the retina, though exactly how it does this has not been clear...READ MORE
Fiona McMillanFormer Contributor
During daylight, blue wavelengths of light can be beneficial, playing an important role in setting circadian rhythms, boosting attention and mood. But we didn’t evolve to be exposed to it as much as we are. In addition to the ample blue light in sunlight, most of the light we are exposed to via digital devices is also blue. For example, the most common type of LED used in electronic devices is a white-light LED, which actually has a peak emission in the blue wavelength range (400 – 490 nm). Moreover, the eye’s cornea and lens are unable to block or reflect blue light.Increasing evidence suggests that blue light has a dark side. At night, it can suppress the secretion of melatonin and wreak havoc on our circadian rhythms, and recent studies have shown that extended exposure to blue light can damage the retina, though exactly how it does this has not been clear...READ MORE