What is Blue light? 5 ways to protect your eyes from Blue light

A man ruubing his due to eye strain caused by Blue light
Source : Getty

  According to Macmillan Dictionary, 

     Blue light is a "light from electronic devices such as computers and Smartphone’s and from energy-efficient light bulbs that has been linked to health problems and sleep disruption"

       In the 21st century, it is impossible to live without electronic gadgets.Mobiles, computers, laptops etc have become an integral part of our day-to-day life. We spend hours and hours every day staring at these electronic gadgets but these electronic gadgets badly affects our eyesight.

       These electronic gadgets emit harmful Blue light which short term effect include Digital Eye Strain (DES) which leads to dry, red, itchy watery eyes, neck and back pain, headaches, and sleeplessness. Its long term effect is that it causes Macular degeneration which lead to blindness at older age.

Excessive exposure to blue light leads to  Digital Eye Strain (DES)

                                              Source : Getty

 Why is Blue light so harmful?

    Blue light, also known as high energy visible light, is emitted by numerous electronic LED devices. Blue light is a color of a visible light spectrum that can be seen by human eyes. Because of it being short-wavelength, high energy blue light scatters more easily than other visible light, it is not easily focused. When you’re looking at computer screens and other digital devices that emit significant amounts of blue light, this unfocused visual “noise” reduces contrast and can contribute to digital eye strain.

 Ways to Protect your eyes from harmful blue light.

 1. Use blue light filters

    Blue light filters are filters that reduce the amount of blue light emitting from your screens by adding a yellow tint to them. Many blue light filter applications and software's are available for free for computers, smart phones and e-readers. Even the smartphone manufacturing company's have started giving blue light filters as a default mode. Some of the most popular blue light filter applications are Blue light Filter, Night Owl, etc.

2. Wear Blue light Glasses

Computer glasses or Blue light filter glasses filters the amount of  Blue light

  Blue light computer glasses filters the amount of blue light reaching into your eyes. They are meant to be worn indoors while working on a computer, mobile devices or while watching television. If you are a person who wears specs or lenses, then you can opt for special blue light glass specially made for refracting blue light emitting from electronic gadgets.

3. Follow the 20/20/20 rule.

    While using your electronic gadgets, you can follow the 20/20/20 rule. Its not difficult as it seems. After staring at screen every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Its that simple. Doing this, gives your eyes chance to refocus and prevents tiredness of eyes. Longer breaks will help your eyes in a better way.

4. Turn down the Brightness

Turning down the Brightness helps to reduce eye strain

   In daily light we see many people keeping the brightness of their computer screen or smart phone to the fullest level. This negatively affects the health of your eyes. Keeping brightness on full level emits larger amount of blue light and thus causing eye strain while using. Thus keeping the brightness on lower level especially in dark reduces eye strain.

                            And last but not the least,

5. Follow a Healthy Diet.

   Your diet is most important for your overall health. What you eat is what your body becomes. Try to include foods such as fruits, fish, eggs, carrots and almonds in your diet. Dairy products such as milk and yoghurt can also help in keeping your eyesight healthy.

    These were some of the ways to protect your eyes from blue light. 

    Thank you for reading and don’t forget to follow me and have a nice day.