ARE DIGITAL DEVICES HARMFUL TO YOUR HEALTH?
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>>> We all know how important it is to protect our eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays; but what about the harmful effects of blue lights?
>>> In this article, we are going to share everything you need to know about blue lights and its effects on our health.
What is Blue Light?
Blue light is a visible short-wave light that is present in both sunlight and artificial light, and is emitted by the LCD screens of digital devices (smartphone, tablet, computer, TVs etc.), as well as xenon, fluorescent and LED lights.
How Blue Light Affects Our Eyes?
Studies show, over time, exposure to these blue end of the light spectrum could cause serious long-term damages to our eyes and health.
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH BLUE LIGHTS
People are exposed to blue lights more than ever before due to extended hours of screen time. Studies show that prolonged exposure to harmful blue lights is linked to eye fatigue & tearing, myopia (nearsightedness), sleepless nights and daytime fatigue, splitting headaches, increase the risk of macular degeneration (wavy or blurred vision or no vision in the center of the visual field), and causing your skin to produce chloasma and freckles.
KIDS ARE ESPECIALLY AT RISK
Singapore has one of the highest rates of myopia in the world, and according to the Health Promotion Board (HPB), it has remained constant over the past 10 years - at 65 per cent among Primary 6 pupils and 28 per cent among those in Primary 1 (and the numbers are rising), because children here spend less time outdoors and more time reading and writing. This comes at a time when myopia rates are rising across the world. In the United States and Europe, where myopia rates are traditionally lower, around half of young adults now suffer from myopia compared with 25 per cent half a century ago. These higher rates have been traced to increased exposure to electronic devices, and especially so since the Corvid lock-down, where the surge of screen time has increased significantly. Singapore is not spared.
Early-onset myopia can be prevented by encouraging preschoolers and young children to spend more time outdoors, and less screen time on digital devices.
The Importance of Avoiding Blue Light Before Bedtime
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Blue light emitted from electronic devices prevents the pineal gland from releasing melatonin needed to sleep. Experts recommend that teens turn off devices 2 to 3 hours before bedtime to mitigate sleeping disorders, day fatigue, myopic deepening, eye strain and other eye related issues.