3 Dangers of Exposure to Blue Light from Gadget Screens • Hello Sehat
In eye health science, blue light or blue light is classed as high-energy visible light (HEV light), namely visible light with a short wavelength, about 415 to 455 nm, and a high energy level. The largest natural source of this type of light is the sun. Apart from the sun, blue light also comes from various digital screens, such as computer, television, as well as screens smartphone and other electronic devices to improve screen brightness and clarity. Several types of modern lighting, such as LED lamps (light-emitting diode) and CFL (compact fluorescent lamps), also emits a high level of blue light.
Because it is contained in sunlight, humans will often be exposed to blue rays during outdoor activities during the day. During the day, blue light is a useful light to increase attention and mood someone. Blue rays from the sun also play a role in the regulation of a person’s natural sleep cycle, known as circadian rhythm. However, blue light will be a dangerous thing for a person’s health when a person is too often exposed to blue light that comes from electronic device screens at night. What are the possible risks?
1. Disrupting the circadian rhythm
Excessive exposure to blue light at night can cause a decrease in the production of the hormone melatonin, the hormone that regulates the sleep cyclesomeone. Normally, the body produces the hormone melatonin in small amounts during the day, then increases in number at night, a few hours before bedtime, and reaches its peak at midnight. Too much exposure to light, especially blue light, at night results in a person’s sleep schedule being delayed, and it can even causereset hours of sleep of the person over a long period of time.
Since the 1990s, scientists have conducted hundreds of experiments regarding the relationship between melatonin production in the body and the wavelength of light. The results of this experiment show that humans produce sensitivity peaks in light that is in the wavelength of the blue light spectrum. In 2014, neuroscience experts also examined the differences in sleep hours of people who read books on paper and those who read books using digital devices, better known as e-book. When entering the predetermined hours of sleep, participants who read books through digital devices still look fresh and take longer to fall asleep, and have a REM phase (Rapid Eye Movement) less than those who read books through paper media. After passing eight hours of sleep, those who read on digital devices became more drowsy and took longer to wake up. This suggests that exposure to blue light from digital devices can be transforming circadian rhythm or someone’s sleep schedule.
2. Causes retina damage
Like other visible rays, blue light can enter the eye. However, the human eye does not have sufficient protection from exposure to blue light, both from sunlight and electronic equipment. A study from Harvard stated that blue light has long been identified as the most harmful rays to the retina. After penetrating the outside of the eye, blue light reaches the deepest part of the eye, the retina, and can have long-term effects in the form of damage to the retina. On excess blue light exposure, a person’s risk for developing macular degeneration, glaucoma, and degenerative retinal disease.
Furthermore, in certain wavelengths blue light is associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or macular degeneration which can lead to loss of vision. AMD is a degeneration of the macula, the part of the retina that contains macular cells and pigments, which play a role in controlling visual acuity (visual acuity). Macular health affects the eye’s ability to see things in clear detail. In children under ten years of age, this is a higher risk because of the imperfect eye condition. The lenses and corneas of children are still very transparent and susceptible to exposure to light, so too much exposure to blue light is something that must be avoided in order to protect the child’s eyes.
3. Causes eye fatigue
Along with the times, most people spend time in front of digital screens, from computer screens at work, personal cell phones, to television screens. These activities lead to a condition known as eye fatigue digital eyestrain, a medical condition that can affect a person’s productivity. Symptoms of digital eyestrain including blurred vision, difficulty focusing, irritated and dry eyes, headaches, neck, and back. Apart from the distance between the eye and the screen and the duration of use, the blue light emitted by the screen also plays a key role in this eye fatigue.
The habit of playing electronic devices at night is difficult to break, but to reduce the risk of blue light exposure, we can reduce the level of light available on electronic devices or turn on the available night mode. However, in order to completely trim the health risks that can be caused by exposure to blue light at night, we should remove or turn off electronic devices at night a few hours before bed and turn off the lights while sleeping.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.