We have all heard of blue light blocking glasses, which are clear or slightly yellow-tinted glasses that people wear when using their computers at work. However, do you know how blue light affects your body?
The electromagnetic spectrum includes a range of light that is visible to the human eye, known as the visible light spectrum. This range spans from approximately 400nm (violet) to 800nm (red), which are the colors that we, as humans, can see. Our circadian rhythm, or natural internal clock, is dependent on blue light to stimulate our nervous system and either wake us up or prepare us for sleep (when blue light is not present). Proper regulation of blue light is crucial for optimizing this cycle and our overall health. However, not all blue light is healthy. While natural blue light from the sun is essential for our well-being, blue light emitted from screens such as computers, TVs, and phones can have detrimental effects on our health.
Research has shown that blue light ranging from 415nm to 455nm is considered damaging and unhealthy for the human eye. It can cause strain on the tissues and structures of the eye, leading to symptoms such as dry eyes, nearsightedness, and redness. Prolonged exposure can even result in more serious, long-term effects such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Toxic blue light in this range has also been linked to behavioral disorders in children and adolescents. Additionally, blue light greatly contributes to an increase in adrenocortical hormone production, which can prevent us from leaving a state of stress. Therefore, if you are stressed and not protecting yourself from toxic blue light, it can also contribute to a decline in your overall health and well-being.
Blocking toxic blue light and exposing ourselves to natural blue light is crucial for optimizing our health and minimizing strain on our nervous system. But do mainstream blue light glasses actually work? To some extent, yes, but they do not block all toxic blue light or all blue light in general. So what can you do?
In the evening, when the sun goes down, it is important to start blocking all blue wavelengths of light. This can be achieved by purchasing a pair of red-lensed glasses, which will not allow blue light to pass through into the eye. When there is no blue light stimulating the brain to stay awake or straining our eyes and nervous system, we can start to relax and prepare for sleep. During the day, it is best to avoid using red-lensed glasses as they can have the opposite effect on our mood and sleep. We need to stay awake, active, and happy during the day, so it is recommended to use a pair of yellow-lensed glasses instead. These will still block most blue light but will not make us feel tired and crash.
Remember, there is both toxic blue light and healthy blue light. We need healthy blue light during the day, but we should always avoid toxic blue light. Be sure to get yourself a pair of red-lensed glasses for the evenings to protect the health of your eyes and nervous system.
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