Blue light: the villain of eye health

Among the various changes brought to society by the Covid-19 epidemic, it is impossible not to mention the direct effects caused by social isolation. Social distancing was, and still is, necessary to contain the spread of the virus, but this measure has also affected the way people treat themselves and each other. A good part of the population started to avoid closed places and spend more time at home, often entertaining themselves by using electronic equipment, such as smartphones, computers and tablets. And it is precisely in this unbridled use that danger is hidden: the famous blue light.

First of all, it is necessary to understand that blue light is not only present in electronic devices, it can even be found in sunlight. The glow of the Sun, for example, forms a series of blue, red, orange, yellow, green and violet light, and the mixture of all these colors creates white light, visible to the naked eye. Blue light itself is part of the white light spectrum and can be divided into two types: turquoise blue light (which can offer health benefits) and blue violet light (which can harm the health and well-being of beings). People).

The turquoise blue light found in the sun’s rays contributes to the natural production of vitamin D, an important compound in the regulation of calcium and phosphorus in the body and helps prevent some diseases. It also helps maintain a healthy sleep cycle, as well as increasing the production of the hormone serotonin, responsible for feelings of happiness and well-being.

Violet blue light is commonly found in electronic devices such as smartphones, computers, tablets, televisions, and even LED lamps. This beam of light can interfere with the production of the hormone melatonin, responsible for regulating the sleep cycle. In this way, people who spend a lot of time in contact with electronic devices can experience insomnia and other sleep disorders.

In addition, high exposure to blue-violet light can also be harmful to the health of the eyes and the body as a whole, as there are indications that it also affects the deeper layers of the eye, such as the lens and cornea, starting with the emission of UVA and UVB rays. Eye fatigue is one of the most common symptoms in those who spend a lot of time connected, including headaches, tearing, burning, blurred vision.

According to a study conducted by NordVPN, Brazilians spend around 91 hours per week on the Internet, which – in absolute terms – results in 41 years, equivalent to 54% of the average life expectancy of the country’s population, which is 75.9 years. . The data is even more alarming when we look at the young population. According to McAfee research, Brazilian teenagers and pre-teens spend the most time connected to their mobile phones in the world, with a usage rate of 96%.

This constant contact with electronic devices is the main source of vision disorders caused by blue-violet light. Another study, conducted by the American Optometry Association – AOA (American Optometry Association), shows that of all health problems, those related to vision are the most common ones that are experienced by those who work or spend a lot of time in front of the computer.

Therefore, it is important that people look for ways to take care of their vision health, by introducing habits that reduce the appearance of harmful blue light in their daily lives. One of the best ways to do this is to wear glasses with the addition of treatment against this harmful light. These lenses, known by different names, like Digital Comfort, for example, were created thinking of people who spend a lot of time in front of computers and mobile phones, because they filter blue-violet light and prevent it from reaching the retina.

It is also possible to introduce the habit of not using electronic devices 2 to 3 hours before going to bed, using applications that regulate the smartphone screen, leaving it in yellowish or orange tones. Therefore, it is necessary to understand that the health of vision goes beyond regular consultations with an ophthalmologist, it requires daily care of this one of the most important senses in the human body.

*Makoto Ikegame is the CEO and founder Lensscope, a health technology that has revolutionized the Brazilian optical market by offering a 100% digital journey in the procurement of spectacle lenses in a simple, efficient and highly functional process. The brand, which is also known for making the world’s thinnest lenses available to the Brazilian market, uses artificial intelligence to offer top-quality products in an affordable and comfortable way, without consumers having to leave their homes.