Ever wonder what blue light rays are and how you can protect your delicate baby blues from the harmful effects?
Here are the top six things you need to know about blue light.
- It’s Everywhere! Sunlight is the key source of blue light in our environments, but artificially created indoor light and electronic devices is rapidly increasing the amount of blue light exposure.
- Reduces Melatonin Levels – Overexposure to blue light decreases the levels of melatonin our body produces. Melatonin is an essential hormone that helps us get a good night’s rest so our bodies can repair themselves.
- Eyes Can’t Naturally Block Blue Light – While the eye is effective at stopping harmful UV rays from reaching the retina, it’s important to also use blue light blocking glasses to negate the damage these waves can do to eyes.
- Primary Source of Eye Strain – The primary source of eyestrain is blue light. It’s because blue light by nature scatters easier than other forms of light. As people stare at electronic devices, the contrasts on the screens decrease, which causes digital eye strain.
- Increased Risk of Eye Diseases – Overexposure to blue light can cause severe problems, such as macular degeneration, which can lead to permanent vision loss. However, symptoms of overexposure can include headaches, blurry vision, light sensitivity, swollen eyes, eye discharge and even eye pain.
- Not all Blue Light is Bad – It’s important to remember that overexposure to blue light is bad. Sunlight is healthy for us and helps our brains know when it’s time to start winding down and produce melatonin, such as when it gets dark outside. Light therapy is used to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder, which helps give people a boost of serotonin.
