All You Need To Know About Blue Light

As a common rule of thumb, let it be noted that you are able to see the things in front of you because light bounces off various objects and then back towards your eyes. However, you don’t see in monochrome, which is in one color, because light possesses multiple colors in its spectrum.

The largest source of light to us is the sun. It is also referred to as ‘white light’ and consists of a combination of colours such as red, orange, yellow, green and blue light rays. It also possesses different shades of the aforementioned colors which include indigo and violet. That’s right, the sun is not simply the yellow you see every day.

The longer the wavelength of a ray of light, the less energy it has, while the shorter the wavelength, the more energy it possesses. The blue light happens to be on the other end of the visible light spectrum and possesses short wavelengths and hence very high energy. Blue light is typically referred to as blue-violet or violet light.

Places where you can find Blue Light

Blue Light is practically everywhere, supplied mainly from the white light of the sun. Other sources of blue light (otherwise man-made) include;
• Light from your television screens, computer and mobile phone screens.
• Fluorescent bulbs and compact fluorescent lights.

The intensity and high energy emitted by Blue Light can be both beneficial and yet downright disadvantageous (should we fail to take proper precautions).

Blue Light – The Good

As highly energised as blue light may be, it has its benefits especially to human health asides its obvious contributions to technological advancements. Some of these benefits include;

Improves Vision

A reasonable amount of exposure to blue light, will enhance the eyes and hence the vision of an individual. For children especially, blue light is needed to properly develop their eyesight. Failure to receive enough blue light can lead to vision illnesses such as myopia; common eye defects that can be easily averted.

Boosts Overall Health

Blue light helps to keep one highly alert. In the long run, it services the memory and helps to maintain cognitive functions in the brain.

It is also highly important to balance your sleep-and-wake cycle. Due to blue light during the day, you are able to maintain a decent sleep-and-wake cycle. This is why when you receive high levels of artificial blue light from your phones, or electronic devices at night, you are unable to function smoothly.

Blue Light – The Bad

Blue light possesses some of the shortest wavelengths in the visible light spectrum and therefore, contains very high energy that can become a detriment and here’s how;

Skin Damage

Overexposure to blue light can result in very terrible sunburn and even skin cancer if one is not careful.

Impairs Vision

Blue light is somewhat a paradox of sorts. While it can improve vision when received in moderate amounts, overexposure can lead to digital eye-strain. Staring into electronic screens, such as the ones in computers and phones can gradually cause vision to depreciate.

Retinal Injury

If one continues to get overexposed to the blue light, it can cause retinal injury and severe damage in the long run. Macular degeneration is a known effect of continuous blue light overexposure.

In the battle for moderation, employ the use of computer glasses, screen filters, reduce overall screen time and regulate exposure to white light. In conclusion, every individual is expected to receive moderate amounts of blue light. Too little and you risk tossing the health benefits and when too much, it might result in unfavourable results.