Blake Forbis

MAWD

The Dark Side of Blue Light

What are the Effects of Blue Light

Blue light is the same type of light that is produced by the sun, and the type of light our

bodies are programmed to respond to. Our screens from computers to phones produce a similar

wavelength of light meaning that they can also be linked to the negative effects that we associate

with the sun. Similarly, to the sun the blue light has a possible link to cancer as well as damaging

skin and causing breakouts. Primarily blue light acts as a signal to our brain that the sun is still

out. What does this mean? It means that when you are up at midnight and unable to fall asleep

that its most likely because you’re staring at your phone. The blue light from your phones screen

is tricking your brain into thinking the sun is still out and that therefore it should be more active.

There are almost limitless problems associated with lack of sleep like a lack of energy,

depression and irritable behavior. The overactivity of the brain without the necessary sleep and

rest also leads to mental fatigue and an inability to focus and concentrate on the things you need

to get done like school, work and Arends. Like staring into the sun is harmful for your eyes

staring at screens is also harmful to your eyes. While screens are a fraction as powerful as the

sun, they do emit the same kind of damaging light and constantly staring at them has been linked

with vision problems. While right now it is hard to determine exactly how much exposure is too

much, there have been links to blue light damaging central vision which is the vision loss that is

most commonly associated with aging. The accelerated aging of our eyes is a danger that

shouldn’t be overlooked. Blue light is constant threat to our physical and mental health.

How can you Protect Yourself?

 So now that you know blue light is harmful what can you do about it? We all work in

front of screens and rely on our phones for just about everything but there are some ways to

protect yourself without giving up your screens. The first solution is the most obvious, take

breaks from screens. At work or at home when you feel your eyes becoming tired or you can’t

sleep try to turn the screen off and give your body a chance to recover. Another solution are

orange tinted glasses. These glasses help to filter out blue light before it reaches your eyes

protecting your vision and relaxing your mind. Contrary to what you may thing they can be

really stylish. To protect your entire home, you can use warmer lighting, that being orange tinted

light bulbs to remove blue light from inside your home. It can make your living space more

relaxing and protect you from blue light. Now use what you learned and go take charge of your

health!
 Bibliography

“Blue Light and Your Eyes.” Blue Light and Your Eyes | Prevent Blindness,
www.preventblindness.org/blue-light-and-your-eyes.

Galbraith, Kate. “Can Orange Glasses Help You Sleep Better?” The New York Times, The New
York Times, 7 Apr. 2015, well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/04/07/can-orange-glasses-help-
you-sleep-better/.

Www.facebook.com/levineyecarecenter. “How Blue Light Effects Your Eyes and Brain.” Levin
Eye Care Center P.C. Corrective & Preventative Optometry, 21 May 2018,
www.levineyecare.com/effects-blue-light/.