Many people work in the comfort of their own homes and spend long hours in front of their computers and smart devices, especially during the plandemic. Unfortunately, only a few are aware of the dangers of staring at a digital screen for long periods. These detrimental effects can be attributed to something emitted by all digital screens: blue light.
Blue light and its detrimental effects
What we call light is just electromagnetic radiation that’s visible to the human eye. [1] Radiation is, in most basic terms, just energy that travels, spreading out as it goes. Electromagnetic radiation is generated by changes in movement (vibrations) of electrically charged particles, which travel in waves. These waves vary in length and make up the electromagnetic spectrum. The light that comes from a lamp and the radio waves that come from a radio station are just two of the many types of electromagnetic radiation. [2]
Light that’s visible to the naked eye has a wavelength that ranges from 380 to 750 nanometers (nm). When all wavelengths of visible light are combined, you get white light. Sunlight on a clear day is an example of natural, full-spectrum white light. White light can also be separated into different color bands based on wavelength. The main color bands within white light are blue, green, yellow, orange and red. [3]
The wavelength of each light ray determines both its color and the energy it emits. Light rays with long wavelengths belong to the red end of the visible light spectrum. They generally emit less energy than light rays at the blue end of the visible light spectrum. These blue light rays have shorter wavelengths that range from 380 to 500 nm and produce high amounts of energy. About one-third of all visible light is blue light.
This blue light is scattered everywhere when particles that make up high-energy, short-length waves collide with air molecules as sunlight travels through the atmosphere. In fact, this is what makes the sky appear blue. Natural blue light helps regulate your body’s sleep-wake cycle, or circadian rhythm. [4] This 24-hour cycle is what lets your body know when to carry out essential functions. [5]
Different systems of your body follow circadian rhythms that are synchronized with a “master clock” in your brain. This master clock is directly influenced by environmental cues, particularly light. As such, circadian rhythms are intricately tied to the cycle of day and night. The synchronization between the master clock and circadian rhythm is crucial for maintaining optimal health because it greatly influences your brain function, mood and sleep quality.
Unfortunately, due to the widespread use of electronic devices, we are constantly exposed to high amounts of artificial blue light. While all types of visible light can affect our circadian rhythm, blue light has the largest impact. [6] This is because blue light stimulates parts of the brain that make us feel alert. It also elevates our body temperature and increases our heart rate. During the day, these can be helpful if we need to concentrate and carry out tasks.
The problem occurs at night when blue light suppresses the release of melatonin. Often referred to as the “sleep hormone,” melatonin is a hormone that your pineal gland produces in response to darkness. It helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle. As such, your blood melatonin levels increase at night then drop in the morning when the sun comes up. [7]
Because it suppresses the release of melatonin, exposure to artificial blue light at night tricks your brain into thinking it’s still daytime, effectively disrupting your circadian rhythm and making you feel alert instead of sleepy. This process starts in the retina of the eyes, particularly with cells called retinal ganglion cells. When these cells are stimulated by blue light, they produce melanopsin, a photopigment that suppresses melatonin production.
In one study, researchers from Harvard University conducted an experiment comparing the effects of 6.5 hours of exposure to blue light with the effects of 6.5 hours of exposure to green light, a wavelength useful for photosynthesis. They found that blue light suppressed melatonin production for twice as long as green light did. It also shifted circadian rhythms by as much as three hours, while green light only shifted circadian rhythms by 1.5 hours. [8]
A misalignment of your circadian rhythm can lead to sleep problems and many serious health issues. For instance, an animal study presented at Neuroscience 2009, the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, found that disruptions to the circadian rhythm of mice caused weight gain, impulsive behavior and other physiological changes similar to those observed in people who experience jet lag. [9]
The researchers also observed that mice with disrupted circadian rhythms were slower at solving new mazes than mice with properly aligned circadian rhythms. In addition, the brains of the affected mice were smaller and had fewer complex brain cells in the medial prefrontal cortex. This area of the brain is involved in executive function and helps regulate mental flexibility.
Meanwhile, according to a review published in the journal Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders, circadian misalignment can also lead to cardiometabolic changes that could eventually lead to heart disease. [10] This is because cardiovascular function is partly influenced by the body’s circadian rhythm. The review also found that changes in a person’s sleep-wake cycle may worsen pre-existing heart conditions.
Aside from your body’s sleep-wake cycle, your eyes are also greatly affected by exposure to blue light. High-energy blue light scatters more easily than other types of visible light. Because digital screens emit a lot of blue light, this scattered visual “noise” reduces contrast and contributes to digital eye strain. Prolonged exposure to blue light can also damage the retina and contribute to age-related macular degeneration, which can eventually lead to loss of vision. [11]
In addition, people tend to blink less when using electronic devices, which can lead to dry eye and contribute to digital eye strain. Other signs of digital eye strain include blurred vision, headaches and neck and shoulder pain. [12] All these adverse events can be triggered by chronic exposure to artificial blue light emitted by electronic devices, especially if these devices are used before bedtime.
Avoid the detrimental effects of blue light with blue light-blocking glasses
The detrimental effects of blue light exposure are particularly concerning. It is estimated that 76 percent of Americans use digital devices before going to sleep. Meanwhile, nearly 60 percent of all Americans use digital devices for at least five hours a day, according to a 2016 report by the Vision Council. [13] With most of our hobbies and activities being online, it’s important to know how to avoid and reduce the harmful effects of blue light exposure.
Your eyes are equipped with natural light filters, but these don't provide sufficient protection against blue light and the irreversible damage it can cause. While it would be best to avoid artificial blue light entirely, many people would find it difficult to live life without digital devices. If avoiding digital screens isn’t an option, the next best thing for you to do is to wear protective eyewear specifically designed to block blue light.
Protect your eyes from damaging blue light with Groovy Bee® Blue Light Blocking Glasses. We’re offering two versions of our blue light-blocking glasses: Groovy Bee® Unbreakable Indoor Blue Light Blocking Glasses (Tea Tint) and Groovy Bee® Flexible Frame Indoor Blue Light Blocking Glasses (Yellow Tint). Expertly made in Taiwan, these lightweight glasses can let your eyes work with less strain while preventing overexposure to blue light.
Groovy Bee® Unbreakable Indoor Blue Light Blocking Glasses (Tea Tint) are tested and validated to be capable of blocking 100% of blue light within the 400 to 420 nm range, while our Groovy Bee® Flexible Frame Indoor Blue Light Blocking Glasses (Yellow Tint) are validated and tested to be capable of blocking 100% of blue light within the 410 to 470 nm range.
By filtering out blue light, our high-quality protective glasses can help prevent the stimulation of retinal ganglion cells, which suppress the production of the sleep hormone, melatonin. Our protective glasses can also block ultraviolet light so you can get maximum eye protection. If you can’t avoid using electronic devices before bed, wearing our blue light-blocking glasses can help ensure that your digital activities won’t disrupt your circadian rhythm.
Groovy Bee® Unbreakable Indoor Blue Light Blocking Glasses (Tea Tint) and Groovy Bee® Flexible Frame Indoor Blue Light Blocking Glasses (Yellow Tint) also provide effective contrast between red and blue objects. When used correctly, our high-quality protective glasses can offer the following benefits:
- Support healthy sleeping patterns
- Minimize digital eye strain
- Support healthy eye function
Featuring a sleek and simple design, Groovy Bee® Unbreakable Indoor Blue Light Blocking Glasses (Tea Tint) and Groovy Bee® Flexible Frame Indoor Blue Light Blocking Glasses (Yellow Tint) are adjustable and have non-slip nose pads to ensure they stay in place. They are also windproof, waterproof and shockproof. Our protective glasses are suitable for indoor or dim environments and are registered as medical devices with the FDA.
Note: Groovy Bee Blue Light Blocking Glasses are not designed to fit over prescription glasses.
**These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
References
[2] https://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov
[3] https://www.allaboutvision.com
[4] http://www.bluelightexposed.com
[5] https://www.sleepfoundation.org
[6] https://www.sleepfoundation.org
[7] https://www.sleepfoundation.org
[8] https://www.health.harvard.edu
[9] https://www.sciencedaily.com
[10] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[11] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[12] https://www.cedars-sinai.org
[13] https://www.invieweyecare.com
