We’ve all been there: it’s late at night, you’re scrolling through your phone, and suddenly, your eyes feel like they’re on fire. Alright, it’s not suddenly, but it gradually feels like they’re burning more and more, and while they don’t hurt, they’re just really uncomfortable, right? Well, what’s the culprit? It’s blue light. Yes, that seemingly innocuous glow from your screens could be wreaking havoc on your eyes.
Chances are, you know that stress causes bad eye health. Maybe as a child, you were told not to sit close to the TV screen because it was bad for your eyes. Well, this somewhat ties into that (because that was also bad for your eyes). So, with that all said, let’s dive into why too much blue light is bad for your eye and what you can do about it.
What is Blue Light, Anyway?
Before getting into the nitty-gritty, let’s talk about what blue light actually is. Blue light is a HEV light with a short wavelength, which means it produces a lot of energy. This type of light is all around us – it comes from the sun, LED lights, and, most notably, our digital screens. While some exposure to blue light is natural and even beneficial during the day, too much, especially at night, can be problematic. That’s why it’s usually preached to keep screen time to a minimum at night.
There’s Long-Term Consequences
Now, you can’t just visit your local eye clinic and expect everything to be fine. Honestly, it just doesn’t work that way! While sure, at first, it’s going to be immediate discomfort and sleep issues, prolonged exposure to blue light could have more serious implications for your eye health.
Circling back to going to the eye doctor, you can get retinal damage, and with age, this can get worse, such as getting AMD. While yes vision loss with age is completely normal, a damaged retina can make it so much worse.
You Can Count on a Sleep Struggle
Another major issue with blue light is its effect on our sleep. So, this actually goes back to what was mentioned above. There’s the advice of reducing screen time at night so you can sleep, and this is exactly why. So, how are the two even related?
Well, blue light interferes with the production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates our sleep-wake cycle. When you’re exposed to blue light before bedtime, your brain gets tricked into thinking it’s still daytime, making it harder to fall asleep and reducing the quality of your sleep.
It’s Ideal for Healthier Habits
While yes, by all means, the world is more interconnected, you don’t have to feel the need to be connected all the time. So, it’s best to start incorporating some screen-free time into your daily routine, which can work wonders for your eye health and overall well-being. There are more than enough activities out there that can easily replace a screen, like exercising, crafts, pamper sessions, cooking, and reading- these are just a few examples!