Interesting facts about blue light

Blue light is part of the visible light spectrum, and it comes from the sun, digital devices, fluorescent lighting, and so on. Researchers have found that blue light from phones at night can make it hard to fall asleep because it stops the hormone melatonin from being released. Melatonin tells our bodies when it's time to sleep. Aside from making it difficult to sleep, blue light can cause retinal stress, which can hasten the aging of the macula (AMD). As one of the best eye hospitals in Dubai, we have put together a list of helpful facts about blue light and how it affects our health:

1. Blue light affects the sleep cycle. Being exposed to artificial blue light close to bedtime can mess up the circadian rhythm, which is an internal process that controls the sleep-wake cycle. Blue light from the sun has been shown to help people stay alert and focused during the day. It also helps you remember things and think more clearly. But when a person is exposed to blue light in the evening, their body stops making melatonin, which is a hormone that helps them sleep. In an experiment, Harvard researchers looked at what happened to people when they were exposed to either 6.5 hours of blue light or 6.5 hours of green light. It was found that blue light stops melatonin from being made for about twice as long as green light does.

2. Blue light may cause eye strain. Many people feel pain when they look at digital screens for too long. We call this "digital eye strain." People often blink less when they look at screens. Blinking keeps the eyes moist and gets rid of any dust or dirt on the surface of the eyes. When people don't blink as much, their eyes dry out, which can make them feel itchy and dry. The best way to keep your eyes from getting tired from screen time is to take frequent breaks and blink more.

3. Use "night mode" on your device. Digital devices have a "night mode" that makes the screen less bright at night, which can help relieve eye strain. The night mode cuts down on glare and lets your eyes get used to the light around you.

4. The sun is the biggest source of blue light. People often think of blue light as coming from digital devices, but sunlight is the biggest source of harmful blue light. A study found that teens and young adults who spent more time in the sun were more likely to get macular degeneration at a younger age. Wear sunglasses that block 100% of both UVA and UVB light to protect your eyes from the harm that blue light can cause. Also, it's important to wear sunglasses all year, even when it's cold outside. Here's a good read about how to choose the best sunglasses for your eyes.

Even if you cut down on screen time and bright light, if you still have eye strain, you should see an eye doctor to find out why and what you can do to protect your vision. Visit the Ebsaar Eye Hospitals if you are looking for the best eye hospital in Dubai. You can also set up a meeting online.