Blue Light

Do you know what Blue Light is? Do you know it is staring you in the face right now? Blue light comes from our computers, cell phones, tablets and TVs. So all that screen time is producing this blue light right into your eyes.

Blue light is a color in the visible light spectrum that can be seen by human eyes. Blue light is a short wavelength, which means it produces higher amounts of energy.

Some of the effects of blue light are needed for our health

• Boots alertness
• Helps memory and cognitive function
• Elevates mood
• It regulates circadian rhythm – the body’s natural wake and sleep cycle
• Early studies show a deficiency in blue light exposure could contribute to the recent increase in myopia/nearsightedness.

It’s not all good though, here are some of the negative effects

• Too much exposure to blue light late at night (through smart phones, tablets, and computers) can disturb the wake and sleep cycle, leading to problems sleeping and daytime tiredness
• Can decrease contrast leading to digital eye strain
• Dry eyes
• Headaches
• Retina Damage

I work all day at a computer screen and am on the phone in the evenings so I am exposing my eyes to blue light a majority of the day. I have noticed my eyes get very irritated in the afternoon and evenings. My contacts dry out quickly and my headaches are increasing. I can’t really reduce my computer time since it is my job but I am trying to take breaks to look away from the screen and reduce surfing on my phone.

I also got some blue light glasses. These lenses are not prescription and are yellow tinted to block the blue light. I got mine from Diff Eye Wear, but you can get them from many companies or have it added to your prescription lenses. I chose Diff because for each pair of glasses purchased they donate a pair of reading glasses to someone in need. The quality is great and the styles are super cute.

Think about your blue light exposure!