The electronic screen has become ubiquitous in today’s technological world of information; on demand, at your fingertips and through your eyes! Televisions, mobile phones, laptops and now even smart watches. Evidence suggests that this could be having a negative effect on your eyes and also, the quality of your day!
We need to talk about blue light
Blue light occupies a section of the light spectrum that is characterised by a very short wavelength – this means that it emits more energy and is more difficult to look at directly. Blue light falls just below UVA – a light for which you ought to wear protective glasses or lenses. As part of the visible spectrum in the sun’s rays, blue light helps to keep you awake by suppressing melatonin. Blue light features heavily in electronic screens and fluorescent lighting that we find everywhere in modern life. This can have a major impact on the quality of sleep you can expect, as well as how quickly you can expect to fall asleep. Put simply, if you are exposed to blue light in the day, and then once you get home, your body won’t know exactly when to prepare for a good rest. Studies show that in turn, poor sleep can really affect your mood the following day.
Blue light and sight
In addition to this, blue light could also affect your eyesight. Some research on blue light suggests over-exposure to it can lead to long-term eye problems such as macular degeneration and others. The problems of blue light only intensify with age; your natural lenses become yellowed and the retina fails to register blue light. This means that your melatonin levels level out and your body’s natural rhythm becomes disturbed. Have a look at this handy infographic that will illustrate clearly, the dangers that poor sleep can have on your eyesight.
How to actively reduce exposure to blue light
There are several proactive things you can do to prevent blue light from impacting your life. The most obvious one would be to reduce the amount of time you spend looking at a screen in the evening, before sleep. If it’s possible, try and then see if it makes a difference. There’s a very good chance it will make a noticeably positive one. However, that won’t always be possible. There are a number of free apps that you can purchase for your phone, tablet or computer, which can apply a reddish filter in the evenings. These can be programmed to come on automatically, fitting in with your daily routine. You could also put a dim red bulb into your bedside lamp or bedroom light. The idea may sound quite strange but do remember that until not that long ago, humans didn’t really carry the expectation of so much light, so late in the day.
At Feel Good Contacts we stock a range of products that promote good eye care routines (or we can say 'good eye health’ such as I-Caps, heat mask and eye drops.
