The Harmful Effects of Blue Light and the New Accessory That Can Help
In today’s technical age, everyone is constantly glued to their phones, from the moment they wake up to when they close their eyes to go to sleep. I, myself, am guilty of going to bed holding my phone while watching a show on Netflix or a video on YouTube. Although it may seem like the only issue with this is your empty iPhone battery, looking at your phone immediately before bed is actually bad for your eyes. For years, scientists have warned against looking at screens before bed, and the reason for this is that blue light is emitted from these screens.
Blue light is a certain type of visible light found all around us. With the rise of technology and the use of screen such as those in televisions, iPhones, and computers, our exposure to blue light has increased immensely. People might wonder, if blue light is found naturally all around us, why is it so bad? When people are constantly looking at their screens, their eyes are being constantly exposed to light that our retinas aren’t capable of handling. Long-term exposure can also lead to issues such as eye strain and retina damage.
One of the biggest issues that people are finding for blue light is how it is detrimental for your sleep. It has been scientifically tested that blue light keeps people alert while also slowing down your body’s creation of melatonin, which is the hormone that regulates your sleep. As college students, it is crucial for us to be getting enough sleep. When we are running around to class and spending long hours in the library, we need to balance it with good rest or else you can burn yourself out. Getting enough sleep isn’t only important for you physically, but mentally, and if you don’t rest your body properly it could make you more exposed to sicknesses. This is why doctors don’t suggest the use of phones at night, and although this may be difficult for college students who study right before bed, we should all begin the practice of separating from our technology when it’s time to get some rest.
With the rise of this information on blue light, eye glass companies are stepping up with a new invention: blue light lenses. Companies such as Warby Parker and Zenni Optical have begun production of glasses with special lenses that help protect your eyes from blue light. These lenses are a great buy for anyone stretching from college students to children to people in the work force. This day in age, everyone is looking at screens, and with the purchase of these glasses you can maintain your eye health and protect yourself from the harmful rays of your iPhone. An added plus to these glasses is the array of styles they come in; unlike the readers found in shops like CVS or Walgreens, these lenses can be put into various styles and colors, so you can find the ones that fit you best. The production of these glasses is spreading, so if you don’t find a pair you like on one website, scour the web for other companies, and there’s a good chance you’ll find ones you love. Not only will you be protecting your eyes, but you’ll be doing it with style.
