Is blue light really harmful? Blue light facts and how to protect your eyes from blue light and its side effects. Read this blue light fact guide now.
What is Light Blue?
Blue light is visible light between 400 and 450 nanometers (nm) long with a wave length. This type of light is perceived, as the name suggests, as blue in colour. However, even when light is perceived as white or some other colour, blue light may be present.
Blue light is of concern because it has more energy in the visible spectrum per photon of light than other colours, i.e. green or red light. Therefore, when absorbed by various cells in our body, blue light, at high enough doses, is more likely to cause damage.
Your home: “Smart” appliances such as fridges often feature a touchscreen with a bright blue display. Consider adding a little “drape” or other cover to put over appliance screens, so when you go into the kitchen for a late night glass of water, they don’t blast you into insomnia. Another common culprit is appliances with LED-based bulbs— a subject I’ll cover in my next post.
Your mobile devices: iPhone users may use the Night Shift feature (under Settings > Display) and the lesser-Color Tint feature; Android users may download Twilight for their screen dimming needs. If you can’t help getting your phone to bed, wear blocking glasses with HEV
Your glasses and contacts: Talk to your optometrist about buying already built in eyeglasses or contact lenses with HEV filters. If you plan to use your devices all day, without a lot of breaks, it is a good idea. Special computer glasses can be worn, too. TrueDark is an eyewear company that sells blocker blue-glasses that just look like regular glasses.