If you remember your physics lessons from school, you may recall that light is a spectrum consisting of multiple wavelengths, including blue. Different parts of the spectrum can have different effects on human physiology, some potentially damaging. If blue light is harmful, blue light glasses may offer you protection, but does the research support their use (https://longevity.technology/lifestyle/are-blue-light-glasses-effective-here-are-some-insights-from-the-pros/)?
Visible light sits between infrared and ultraviolet on the electromagnetic spectrum, so it may not be surprising that red light is found on the top end and blue on the bottom. This means that blue light consists of the shortest and most energetic light waves before you reach ultraviolet. We know that too much UV exposure can be dangerous to both your skin and your eyes. Is the same true of blue light?
It might not be so bad if the only place we found blue light was in the sun’s rays, where it’s natural, but thanks to artificial light sources like LEDs, we’re being exposed much more frequently and in much closer proximity. There may even be blue light emitting from the screen where you’re currently reading this. You probably know that spending too much time in front of the screen can cause headaches, dry eyes and vision problems, so it seems logical to imagine that blue light may be an underlying cause.
Of course, in science, you can’t just say something seems likely. You need something called evidence, and that’s particularly lacking when it comes to the impact of blue light. There are a few very small studies, most of which involved animals rather than human participants. Plus, constant LED exposure is a pretty new thing, so understanding its long-term impact is pretty much impossible.
Scientists generally agree that too much time in front of a screen is bad, but that’s not necessarily because of blue light. Your best bet is still to moderate your screen time and take regular breaks. Blue light glasses, which offer direct protection from blue light, may be useful, but you shouldn’t rely on them exclusively, especially if you have other problems with light sensitivity or migraines.
As always, do your research, talk to the professionals and consider your own particular circumstances before making any health-related decisions. It’ll probably be a while before we can make any definitive statement about the value of blue light glasses.
