What is Blue Light from Digital Devices? Is it harmful for eyes? (2024)

FAQs

What is Blue Light from Digital Devices? Is it harmful for eyes? ›

Blue light from computers will not lead to eye disease.

Constant exposure to blue light over time could damage retinal cells and cause vision problems such as age-related macular degeneration. It can also contribute to cataracts, eye cancer and growths on the clear covering over the white part of the eye.

However, you probably notice some uncomfortable effects from staring at your screen too long. Digital-related eye strain affects people of all ages. If you spend hours a day using digital devices, you might notice your vision blurs, and your eyes feel achy and tired.

Long-term exposure to concentrated sources of blue light energy can cause skin damage, including uneven tone, inflammation and weakening of the skin's surface (4). Simply put, blue light promotes stressors in skin that cause photoaging; that is, aging from exposure to light (5).

Blue light fools the brain into thinking it's daytime. When that happens, the body stops releasing a sleep hormone called melatonin. Melatonin is nature's way of helping us wind down and prepare for bed. The body starts releasing it a couple of hours before bedtime.

The screens of electronic devices such as smartphones, computers, tablets, and televisions can emit blue light that disrupts our natural sleep cycles. Research shows that a majority of Americans use electronic devices within an hour of going to bed, which can lead to unsatisfactory sleep.

Blue light from computers will not lead to eye disease.

It is true that overexposure to blue light and UV light rays from the sun can raise the risk of eye disease, but the small amount of blue light coming from computer screens has never been shown to harm your eyes.

Vision experts generally think screen time does not affect vision as a source of permanent damage, even if extended use can cause eye irritation. If you only look at screens for a few hours a day and don't experience any vision issues, you probably do not need to worry.

The condition can cause an array of symptoms, including eyestrain, watering of eyes, headache, tired eyes, burning sensation, red eyes, irritation, dry eye, foreign body sensation, blurred vision at near, and double vision [5].

Excessive use of brightly lit screens can cause both minor ailments and long-term sight problems. Some of these effects include: Eye Strain: When we stare at computers or handheld devices for a long time, we can develop eye strain.

What does blue light do to your brain? ›

Exposure to blue light in the evening or at night has been shown to increase alertness and improve performance on reaction time tasks, most likely as a result of the suppression of the evening onset of melatonin, which leads to a phase delay of the circadian rhythm.

The sun also gives off blue light, helping us feel awake, energized, and ready to take on the day's activities. However, digital devices such as smartphones, TVs, and computer screens also emit blue light, which can impact our ability to fall asleep. Dr.

It's safe to say most of us spend a lot of time staring at screens. And that can be bad for our eyes. Blue light from electronics is linked to problems like blurry vision, eyestrain, dry eye, macular degeneration, and cataracts.

Adding a screen filter to your smartphone, tablet and computer helps filter the amount of blue light your screens give off. Switching your devices to “night mode” may also help. The setting lowers your screen's brightness. This can ease digital eyestrain and may even help you sleep better.

The most natural source is sunlight, but LED TVs, fluorescent lights, smartphones, tablets, and computers emit blue light, too.

But blue light lenses are not only helpful for those who spend time in front of digital devices—they can also be beneficial for outdoor use, such as when engaging in activities in direct sunlight. These lenses help reduce glare and make it easier to focus on your activity or enjoy the scenery around you.

Like sunglasses, blue light glasses can have long-term eye health benefits. But should you wear them all the time? You can wear your blue light glasses all the time, just like you can wear sunglasses all the time. But when and where you wear your eyewear can make a difference in the quality of your vision.

The analysis of the trials showed that there is no short-term advantage to using blue-light-filtering spectacles for reducing vision fatigue, compared with standard clear lenses. Only one of the studies examined the impact of blue-light-filtering glasses on eyesight, and it suggested that there was little to no effect.

PDT, however, may induce early and late onset side effects. Erythema, pain, burns, edema, itching, desquamation, and pustular formation, often in association with each other, are frequently observed in course of exposure to the light source and in the hours/days immediately after the therapy.