The retina is a layer of specialized photosensitive cells deep in our eyeball—which is mandated with the noble role of converting light into signals that are interpretable by the brain. If this layer is damaged for any number of reasons, it may lead to age-related macular degeneration—a condition that often leads to blindness.
According to an animal study published in the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology, high-intensity blue light (400 nm, 420 nm, and 435.8 nm) damages photosensitive retinal cells in mice. While this is not conclusive evidence on the harmful effects of blue light on human eye health, it nonetheless raises questions.
Staring closely at blue-light-emitting devices also increases the risk of digital eye strain. Think about; how long do you ogle at an exciting Instagram video or that suspenseful show on Netflix that always has you on your toes? Coupling this lack of blinking with concerns over the impact of blue light on our retina, it’s easy to see why managing the time we spend on our devices is crucial.
As stated in an article appearing in The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, there’s growing concern over the long-term effects of exposure to blue light. More specifically, blue is the closest colour on the visible spectrum to ultraviolet on the invisible spectrum—and this close association is a cause for concern.