Why blue light can affect us adversely?
Artificial blue light has been in the spotlight for its effect on our bodies, including our eyes, circadian rhythm, and sleep. In this section, we will discuss why it is important to decrease this exposure whenever possible.
Effects on the Eye:
The blue-light emitting devices we use on a day-to-day basis emit high-energy photons that, when exposed to for prolonged periods of time, can exert damage on the retina.
We are already aware of the effects of eye strain that we encounter with the use of blue light-emitting devices. These can be treated with blue-light-filtering eyewear, but this does not compensate for the altered tear production and decreased blinking that happen with prolonged staring at a blue-light-emitting screen.
In experimental mouse models, prolonged exposure to blue light was associated with oxidative damage and cell death in the cornea. Increased production of reactive oxygen species that cause damage has been observed in human corneal and conjuctival tissues. This can fuel surface inflammation in the eye and cause dry eye. Blue light may also hasten the development of cataracts in individuals.
Blue light exposure can cause photochemical damage to the retina and retinal pigment over the long term.
Effect on Sleep:
The blue light we encounter in artificial light can stimulate the melanopsin receptor in the eye. This receptor is supposed to gauge light impulses and also participate in the modulation of melatonin secretion, which is vital for our sleep onset and maintenance.
When exposed to blue light in the evening and night hours, the onset of melatonin secretion is delayed, which in turn affects our circadian rhythm.
Our suprachiasmatic nucleus in the brain is our master circadian pacemaker, and it determines several bodily repair processes that happen when we sleep.
When our melatonin secretion is delayed, our sleep duration and quality are affected, which in turn causes malfunctioning in our circadian clock.
Individuals who get 5 or less hours of sleep have higher hunger drives and impulses, higher levels of ghrelin, or hunger hormone, higher cortisol levels that increase stress levels in the body, and so on. With less than 5 hours of sleep, the normal restorative effects that happen during sleep are hampered, and the individual is at greater risk for stress and obesity.
From the above discussion, we can see the far-reaching effects of blue light emitted from devices we use in our daily lives. I believe that knowledge is empowering, so I hope you will implement changes in your lifestyle that will be beneficial to your health. As always, I pray that you keep your health in center focus and live long and strong!
