Are LED Lights Harmful to Eyes

LED lights are everywhere, with their efficient output and energy-saving qualities. But with Christmas right around the corner and a laundry list of digital devices, tablets, laptops, iPhone 6s, androids and video games, a new study that came out has many rethinking their digital wish list.

Almost All Cells that Protect the Retina Can Be Damaged by LED Lights

The study is a real eye opener, stating that 99% of all the cells that protect our retinas in our eyes are able to be damaged by LED lights. That leaves a very disappointing 1% of cells to protect one of our most important senses – our vision.

The study was performed at Complutense University of Madrid and researchers noted the following:

• LED lights put our retinas in severe danger
• LED lights produce extremely high levels of radiation
• This radiation is in the blue band of the light spectrum
• The blue band has been proven to cause eye damage over time
• This damage is completely irreversible
• This problem is worse than it has ever been
• It is only going to get worse as technology shows no signs of slowing down and computers and other screen devices that emanate blue light or use LED lights are increasing popular and affordable

Why Are LED Lights Bad for Your Eyes

A little scary? It should be – at least enough to make you consider the problem pragmatically. No, you’re not going to cut down on your computer time and your kids aren’t going to let you pry the Xbox One controller out of their hands – instead, fight fire with fire and get computer eyewear that blocks out blue light.

LED lights are bad for your eyes because of this blue light. LED stands for Light Emitting Diodes and the light is produced through high-energy, short wave blue and violet lights. The blue and violet lights are on one end of the visible light spectrum and while they will save you money on your energy bills, they won’t save your eyesight.

When you are continuously exposed to this light – or exposed for prolonged periods of time – your eyesight worsens. You increase the strain on your eye and risk having blurred vision even when you’re away from the computer screen. You also increase your risk of age related macular degeneration – not to mention the irreparable damage you’re causing to your retina.

Am I Safe From My Computer and Phone

Unfortunately, many people don’t realize just how far this danger stretches. People think LED light and they see their flashlights or some other light source that they don’t use very often. But this dangerous blue light that comes from LED comes from a variety of other sources such as:

• Computers
• Tablets
• Smartphones
• Television screens
• Indoor and outdoor lighting

The list goes on and on – all of these sources for blue light and LED light can damage your eyes, big time. Plus, since computers and technology are becoming more and more prevalent at every level of work, home, play and society, the problem is going to get worse.

For some generations alive, childhood had nothing to do with iPhones and computers, but for the younger generations, exposure to blue and LED lighting has been happening since birth. This does not bode well for future generations, or any generations.

Get Safe Computer Eyewear

The answer then, is eyewear that blocks out blue light. With the average eye being open about 6,000 hours per year and most of those hours spent in front of artificial light, don’t you owe it to your eyes to protect them at least some of the time? If so, go and get computer eyewear that blocks out most of the harmful blue light that comes from LED lights and your technology.