Pop Magazine

Blue light

7 September 2018
Blog post supervised and approved by Dr. Michel Pop, ophthalmologist

You may have heard about blue light and the potential danger it represents for your eyes, but are you well informed about it?

 

Here at Cliniques Michel Pop we can help answer the most common questions about blue light.

 

Blue light only comes from artificial lights: FALSE

The sun naturally produces blue light and is the main source of it. However, we are exposed every day to artificial sources of blue light such as computer screens and television. Due to these technologies, our exposure to blue light is much more important than it should be.

 

Blue light has an adverse effect on the eyes: TRUE AND FALSE

Blue light is both harmful and essential. Here is the explanation in detail:

The light breaks down into a spectrum of which each color corresponds to a wavelength. Shortwave can be dangerous for our health, especially for your eyes (ultraviolet radiation for example).

Longer waves are not harmful to your eyes and are even essential to our well-being. Blue light is composed of harmful short waves (blue-purple light), but also longer waves, turquoise-blue light, which positively influences our sleep, our mood and our well-being. It is only blue-violet light that we need to be aware of.

 

Blue light can contribute to the appearance of certain diseases of the eye: TRUE

Significant exposure to blue-violet light for a long period during life can contribute to the appearance of:

  • Cataracts

Cataract is an opacification of the lens that’s related to its aging. Blue-violet light and ultraviolet radiation contribute to accelerated aging of the lens and thus produce early cataracts.

 

It is possible to filter the blue light: TRUE

Downloadable digital filters in software form are available on computers and smart phones like f.lux, a free software that softens the light on your screens by removing blue light when the sun goes down.

In addition, there are anti-blue light glasses. These glasses filter the blue-violet light, but let the blue-turquoise light pass through, to preserve the beneficial effects of the latter on the vision and the regulation of the internal biological clock.

It is possible that in the near future, all screens will be designed with built-in blue light filters. In the meantime, it’s up to you to take care of your eyes.

 

Blue light also damages the skin and impacts your sleep: TRUE

An excess of blue-violet light inhibits the production of melatonin, also known as the sleep hormone. The use of screens in the evening disrupts the sleep cycle and can cause insomnia.

If you have trouble sleeping, blue light may be the cause, but other diseases such as hyperthyroidism and sleep apnea can also cause sleep disturbances.

 

Children are more sensitive to blue light: TRUE

Before 10-12 years of age, children have increased sensitivity to blue light. That’s why it’s important to move them away from the screens at least several hours before bedtime so that their sleep is not disturbed.

 

The Cliniques Michel Pop hope to have helped you better understand what blue light is and the effects it can have on your eyes. It’s up to you to take action to protect them.