Due to the proliferation of smart devices and computers, the eyes are more affected by blue light than feared. In addition to rods and flasks, the human eye has receptors that respond to blue light. These cells are not related to visual acuity, but rather to wakefulness and sleep cycle. High-energy blue light comes after UV radiation. It is thought to cause irreversible damage to the eye, but this has not been proven. At the same time, there is blue light all around us, starting with the light from the sun and making the sky blue. Blue light affects our sleep rhythm the most – in the natural state, a person uses blue light to regulate wakefulness and sleep rhythm.
What does the blue light do to us?
Blue light produces melanopsin in our body, which keeps us awake. As melanopsin levels fall, melatonin is produced which causes drowsiness. In the evening, we are no longer actively exposed to blue light, which causes melatonin secretion and drowsiness. Intestinal function slows down, blood pressure drops. In the morning, melatonin levels drop, blood pressure rises and a new day begins. This is the so-called circadian rhythm. The problem is that in the evening, during the natural onset of melatonin, people are at the computer, playing, replying to emails or chatting. Melatonin is not released that way, and sleep does not come. Contrary to popular belief, good sleep is often not related to physical fatigue, but to light.
Blue light regulates our sleep and sleep cycles, makes us alert, improves memory and cognitive skills, creates an elevated mood. However, it causes computer vision syndrome (CVS) and is said to increase the risk of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity.
Blue light in nightclubs
For example, nightclubs, casinos and bars use a lot of blue light to keep people awake. Artificial sources of abundant blue light are TVs, computer monitors, tablets, smart devices, LED bulbs and also car xenon headlights. We are surrounded by a lot of blue light without us perceiving it.
The result of blue light is fatigue, more frequent difficulty sleeping and exhaustion. As a result, you may experience fatigue after a long day, but it is difficult to fall asleep. If your work with mostly illuminated by artificial light, we recommend wearing special computer glasses that reduce the blue light reaching you.
No prescription required for blue light blocking glasses. They can be used by anyone who wants an extra layer to protect their eyes.