Did you know that part of the spectral light can be dangerous for our retina? For this reason, to protect ourselves from part of the light emitted by the screens of many of the devices we use every day, some companies have developed anti “blue light” glasses, in order to help our eyes protect themselves better.
What exactly is blue light?
Blue light is part of the spectrum of light, whose wavelengths are between 380 and 500 nanometers . It is emitted by the sun , but also by artificial light sources , such as light bulbs with LED lighting and the screens of electronic devices that we use regularly (such as mobile phones, tablets, computers and televisions).
As many experts agree, potentially dangerous blue light represents only a small part of all existing blue light , as they consist of blue-violet wavelengths .
For example, the spectrum of daytime or artificial light includes different color bands, among which are turquoise blue, positive light for mood, and then violet blue, to which we are increasingly exposed.
This is because the energy that reaches the retina , in the case of blue-violet light, tends to be stronger in the case of blue-turquoise light. And displays, in particular, diffuse peaks of blue light, technically known as high-energy visible (HEV) light.
It is estimated that we all spend a measure of 6 hours in front of a screen. So we find ourselves overexposed to this blue light , especially from an increasingly young age (how many children use their parents’ mobile phones, watch TV, or have tablets to entertain themselves with?).
In the case of children, even, the problem is slightly greater, since, in children under 14 years of age, whose lens is not able to filter as well, the effect of blue light is even more damaging.
What can be the effects of blue light on our health?
Using an in vitro model, the most toxic wavelength for retinal cells has been shown to be around 415-455 nanometers, a phototoxic zone that corresponds to a blue-violet light in the rainbow spectrum. And, as has been found in different studies, it increases the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Furthermore, scientific research has concluded that prolonged exposure to blue light radiation or artificial blue light causes photochemical damage to both the lens and the retina . And various epidemiological studies have shown that this blue light is, in fact, considered a risk factor for AMD. Experts even suspect that it could influence the development of cataracts .
Not everything is negative
However, not everything has to be negative. In fact, blue light can also have some beneficial effects . For example, it helps us with our circadian rhythms (the wake / sleep alternation), and our own mood.
This time, it is the turquoise blue light (around 490 nanometers), which allows us to reestablish our circadian rhythms during jet lag, regulating the production of melatonin, popularly considered the “sleep hormone”.
