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There’s no denying that in the last number of years, we’ve become extremely reliant on digital devices, in all areas of our lives. Whereas mobile phones were a plaything of the rich and famous 20 years ago, most of us today couldn’t live without our trusty smartphone. And ironically - their main function is no longer to make phone calls. Instead, we gaze into their beautiful screens to chat to friends on messaging apps, read news on online publications and showcase our amazing lives on social media. Given that many of us also spend more than eight hours a day working on a computer or laptop, it’s understandable why blue light and its potentially detrimental effects has become such a hot topic.
The sun is the main generator of blue light - it’s one of the colours on the ‘electromagnetic spectrum’ that combine to form what’s known as white light. In this context, it has many benefits; it’s been shown to keep us alert and focused, even improving our mood. When the sun sets, our body is triggered to produce a hormone called melatonin, making our bodies tired and encouraging us to get a good night’s sleep. However, digital devices like smartphones, laptops and tablets also emit blue light, but in artificial form. Given how often we use them, not to mention the close proximity we hold them to our faces, it’s not surprising that this kind of blue light is believed to cause the likes of headaches and fatigue. It makes sense too that sneaking a peak at our Facebook feed under the covers at night would potentially interrupt the natural sleep cycle outlined above. But are there even more dangerous potential health effects of blue light? Could it cause vision loss, and even blindness?
A 2018 piece of research from the University of Toledo in the US suggests some worrying links between artificial blue light exposure and permanent eye damage. In fact, they concluded that this kind of repeated exposure actually causes the eye to attack itself. It’s to do with what’s called ‘retinal’; teeny molecules that sense light and trigger signals to the brain. “You need a continuous supply of retinal molecules if you want to see”, says Dr. Ajith Karunarathne, Assistant Professor in the University’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Through lab experiments, Dr. Karunarathne and his team found that blue light exposure causes those retinal to trigger reactions that actually generate poisonous chemical molecules in the eye. “It’s toxic”, adds fellow researcher Kasun Ratnayake. “If you shine blue light on retinal, it kills photoreceptor cells as the signaling molecule on the membrane dissolves.” What’s worse, like a Harvey Norman deal, when they’re gone, they’re gone. “Photoreceptor cells do not regenerate in the eye. When they’re dead, they’re dead for good.”
But what does this all mean for our eyes? Well, an incurable condition called macular degeneration can occur, but usually when a person reaches their 50s or 60s. This is due to the natural death of those photoreceptor cells in the retina, and results in significant vision loss, and usually the need for glasses. But if we apply Dr. Karunarathne’s findings, overexposure to blue light via our devices could lead to macular degeneration much earlier. “It’s no secret that blue light harms our vision by damaging the eye’s retina,” he notes. “Our experiments explain how this happens, and we hope this leads to therapies that slow macular degeneration.” His colleague, visiting Assistant Professor Dr. John Payton, recommends filtering out the potentially damaging rays: “Some cell phone companies are adding blue-light filters to the screens,” he says, “and I think that’s a good idea.” Blue light eliminating glasses are an easier option if you’re concerned. Browse Ambr’s stylish range of frames here.
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