The Effects Of Blue Screens On Our Health

How do you like to unwind at the end of the day? Maybe you watch a favorite television show, scroll through social media feeds, or play games on an electronic device. In this 24/7, always-on world, chances are you check your text messages or e-mail one last time before closing your eyes for the night, or fall asleep to the sounds of late-night television hosts. For many of us, screentime is a part of our nightly routine. But by exposing us to blue light, our nighttime screentime may be taking a toll on our health. Get to know the health effects of blue screens and the light they emit now.

Eyestrain And Damage

Looking at screens all day can cause eyestrain and damage. Just like any other muscle, eye muscles get worn out from overuse. We also blink less when we are looking at screens, up to half as much as our usual blink rate, which leads to dry, irritated eyes. Researchers are increasingly understanding the special risks blue light poses for our eyes. A study conducted at the University of Toledo found blue light can damage the retina. As we get older, the damaging effects of blue light become greater. Our eyes’ natural defenses against blue light begin to decrease, putting us at greater risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in older adults.

Keep reading to reveal another way in which blue light affects our health.

Headaches

The eyestrain from too much time in front of screens can lead to some major headaches. Blue light, in particular, can also trigger migraines. Blue light can cause oxidative stress, a condition in which there is an imbalance between environmental pressures and the body’s ability to respond to those pressures. When the eyes experience oxidative stress, a migraine is triggered. Researchers believe migraines are actually a protective mechanism to prevent blindness, and when we have migraines, we usually avoid screens and seek out low-light spaces, reducing the oxidative stress and avoiding further damage.

Discover more of the adverse effects blue light has on health now.