We have been researching the adverse effects of blue and artificial light from digital devices such as mobile phones, computers, tablets and TV especially at night, since 2013. There is a lot of scientific evidence about their adverse effects on eyesight, physical and mental health, sleep and mood. At the back of our eyes, in the retina, exist both cone and rod photoreceptor cells that are responsible for light sensitivity. More recent research has shown that there is a third type of retinal photoreceptor which is sensitive to blue light, called intrinsically-photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). These sparsely-situated receptors help differentiate between day and night, regulating our ‘sleep/wake’ cycles. These are known as circadian rhythms, with a flow-on effect to physiological functions affecting physical and mental health.
Blue light wavelengths received naturally and balanced with other wavelengths, as part of sunlight during the day, are necessary for health. As diurnal beings, we are programmed to be outdoors whilst the sun is shining and in complete darkness when asleep at night. Over the last 140 years plus, however, due to the invention and prolific use of artificial light (starting with the light bulb), and much more recently the introduction of digital devices, we are exposed to it through the whole day. The light from digital devices and from light bulbs, LED lights and fluorescent tubes has a higher concentration of shorter-wavelength blue light than that found in natural light and this imbalance is adversely affecting our sleep and health. Sunlight is constantly fluctuating through the day, unlike static artificial light.
Blue light affects levels of the sleep-inducing hormone, melatonin, more than any other wavelength of light. Melatonin is created mainly by the pineal gland in the brain during darkness. It is profoundly affected by light and darkness and helps regulate other hormones whilst controlling the body’s circadian rhythm: an internal 24-hour ‘clock’. Tampering with the body’s circadian rhythm with artificial blue light exposure at night can exert a significant negative impact on health and has been implicated in depression, diabetes, immune problems, obesity, heart disease and even certain types of cancer.
If you’re interested in good health, optimise your exposure to sunlight in the morning and through the day and minimise your exposure to artificial light and blue light, especially at night. We have special glasses and fitovers in clear (daytime) and red (night-time) lenses made in Sydney with easy-to-fit, one-size-fits-all comfortable frames for both adults and children in our online shop – protect your eyes and physical and mental health. Use of our red light therapy glasses can deliver therapeutic levels of light (red light) for all eye conditions.
Dr Jenny Livanos, holistic optometrist, is the author of The Sunlight Diet (available in our online shop) – how to be healthy, happy and live longer! and is trained in quantum health also. Her book is available in our online store and online. Jenny offers personalised online/phone/in-person (Glebe in Sydney), email or phone consultations which cover coaching in sunlight, blue light and artificial light and the connection with focus and eye health. Learn about sunlight, artificial and blue light, the best lighting to have in the house and about products to help further, for you and your family. You can book the appointment in our online shop and we will be in touch via email with a short pre-questionnaire and options for appointment times. Allow 45-60 min for the consultation.
See our FACEBOOK PAGES for regular posts about how to improve your vision naturally:
NATURAL EYE CARE https://www.facebook.com/nateyecare
THE LIGHT DIET FOR OPTIMAL HEALTH https://www.facebook.com/thelightdietforoptimalhealth
Here is the link for our online shop for blue light products:
https://naturaleyecare.com.au/product-category/blue-light-blocking-glasses-and-fitovers-for-adults-and-kids/