What is Blue Light?

Blue light is a part of the visible light spectrum that human eyes can see. It has the shortest wavelength and produces the highest amount of energy out of all the colors in the light spectrum. For instance, they’re slightly longer than the ultraviolet rays which are invisible to human eyes (due to the short wavelength). Experts assert that UV light is harmful to human health and may lead to skin or eye-related problems. Blue light is nearly as powerful.

Studies assert that about one-third of all visible light is blue light. We are surrounded by blue light with the sun being the most prominent source of this high-energy visible light. Moreover, lighting appliances like compact fluorescent lights, LED lights, and LED-based electronic devices like LED televisions, computer screens, tablets, mobile phones, etc. also expose human eyes to blue light.

Since blue light is a high-energy and short-wavelength light, it flickers easily and for a longer period of time. This flickering can cast glare that eventually affects our vision and health.

Effects of blue light on health

The glare produced by the blue light reduces visual contrast and affects the clarity and sharpness of vision. This makes people prone to a variety of health ailments, especially in the modern world where people are hooked to their laptops, tablets, and other backlit digital screens for prolonged hours. Some ways blue light affects human health include:

• Macular Degeneration

Researchers assert that blue light is one of the primary causes of age-related macular degeneration or AMD. This short-wavelength light can trigger the release of toxic molecules in the photoreceptor cells that damages the eyes and results in AMD. Unfortunately, AMD is the most prominent cause of sight loss in aged people (over the age of 50 years).

• Digital Eye Strain

Blue light emitted from digital screens such as laptops, computers, mobile phones, etc. can lead to digital eye strain. People who use these devices for long periods tend to blink less than normal which makes their eyes dry and prone to strains. Dry eyes, sore or irritated eyes, tired eyes, headaches, etc. are some of the most common symptoms of digital eye strain.

• Disrupted Sleep

Blue light not only affects our eyes but also hampers our sleep cycle. For instance, exposure to blue light at night is heavily linked to poor sleep. The light emitted from the back-lit screen devices harms the human biological clock i.e. circadian rhythm. It also limits the release of melatonin which eventually delays or disrupts our sleep cycle. This disruption further increases the risk of chronic health conditions such as hormone-related cancers, raised blood sugar levels, etc.

How to limit blue light exposure?

Limiting blue light exposure is of vital importance for keeping health issues at bay. Here are some tips that you should consider for limiting blue light exposure:

• Practice the 20-20-20 rule. While working on a screen, stop every 20 minutes and focus on an object that is about 20 meters away for 20 seconds.

• Use eye drops, artificial tears, etc. to keep your eyes moist.

• Blink more often while working on a screen.

• Adjust the brightness and contrast levels of your digital devices. Also, keep your screens clean as smudges or dust accumulation increases the risk of glare.

Lastly, people should invest in smart lighting solutions like Human Centric Lighting (HCL) in workplaces to ensure the health and wellness of employees. For instance, they can decide on inSync™ - an HCL solution by Wipro Lighting. It works in harmony with the earth’s natural lighting cycle and is intended to promote a person's well-being, mood, and health. It supports the human biological clock and helps in keeping eye issues at bay

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