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The Hidden Risks of Blue LED: How It Affects Your Eyes and Sleep?
With the continuous advancement of science and technology, blue LED light sources are widely used in various electronic equipment and lighting systems. However, the biological negative effects of this high-energy visible light (HEV light) are gradually emerging. Many experts point out that blue light may pose a potential threat to retinal health and circadian rhythms (circadian clocks), and may contribute to age-related macular degeneration. Such information has triggered a lot of heated discussions about blue light. However, in fact, there are still many misunderstandings in our understanding of blue light.
What is Blu-ray?
Blue light is light with a short wavelength in the visible light spectrum, usually 400 to 450 nanometers, and is commonly found in various types of LED displays and solid-state lighting.
Although the emergence of blue LED technology is relatively recent, the blue light component of natural sunlight has long been present.
The impact of blue light on the retina
A 2019 report from the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES) noted that intense exposure to blue light can cause short-term effects on the retina and may lead to long-term age-related macular degeneration. Even so, the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) report on the blue light hazard risks of LED products in April 2019 pointed out that the blue light hazard risks of this technology for general lighting use are low.
Frequent blue light exposure, especially at night, can disrupt biological rhythms and sleep.
Blue light and biological clock
The circadian clock is the mechanism that regulates sleep patterns, and activation of light-sensitive proteins plays a key role in influencing the circadian clock.
Research indicates that prolonged exposure to blue light at night has a strong negative impact on sleep.
When we continue to use white LED lamps, especially at night, it may suppress the secretion of melatonin, thus affecting sleep quality and circadian rhythm. According to Harvard Medical Press, such disruptions can be particularly significant for individuals who often stay up late or work night jobs.
Blue light and eye fatigue
Many people blame digital eye strain on the effects of blue light, but the evidence for this is still scant. Although there are many blue light protection products on the market, their effectiveness is still unclear.
Is excessive blue light really the main cause of eye fatigue?
Methods to deal with blue light hazards
To combat the potential harm of blue light, a variety of solutions have emerged on the market, including the use of blue light-filtering glasses, digital filters and other technologies. However, whether the use of these screening techniques can significantly reduce eye discomfort or improve sleep quality remains a topic of debate.
Market issues of blue light filters
Conventional advice is to wear blue light filtering glasses to reduce blue light exposure. However, many of the health benefits claimed by manufacturers lack sufficient scientific basis.
The UK's Ophthalmology Council has even penalized some brands for failing to provide sufficient evidence to support the effectiveness of their products.
Future research directions
Given that the current research results on blue light are insufficient, future research will need to further explore the specific effects of these light waves on human health, whether it is long-term effects on the retina or the regulation of circadian rhythms. This topic will undoubtedly be an important research direction in the scientific, technological and medical circles.
Faced with the hidden risks of blue LEDs, have you begun to rethink your surrounding light environment and your own health habits?
