Many people do not realize just how complex visible light is.
When you step outside on a sunny day, turn on an indoor light, use your computer or use any other digital device like a phone or a tablet, your eyes are exposed to different types of visible and invisible rays of light, which can have a range of effects on your eyes, including making them dry.
Many people do not realize that sunlight contains both visible and invisible rays of light. Many do not realize that sunlight is made up of a number of different colored lights, each containing a different amount of energy.
Understanding Blue Light
Sunlight is composed of red, yellow, green, orange and blue rays of light.In addition to this, each color of light ray contains a variety of shades, depending on the wavelength and energy of each individual ray of light. This is called electromagnetic radiation. When these colors are combined, you get a full spectrum of light colors that is what we refer to as sunlight or white light.
Although we are not getting into the complexities of physics, you must understand the relationship between wavelengths of light rays and the different amounts of energy each type of light contains. Light rays with short wavelengths will contain more energy than those with long wavelengths.
On the edge of the visible red light spectrum, the wavelengths are longer, which means they contain less energy. On the other hand, light on the blue end of the spectrum will have shorter wavelengths and contain more energy.
The invisible rays that are beyond the visible red area of the spectrum are referred to as infrared. Although these light rays are invisible, they produce warmth. An example of this type of light is warming lamps used to keep foods warm at a restaurant. Warming lights transmit infrared radiation. In addition to invisible infrared lighting, warming lights use visible red light to warn you that the lights are on and hot. This same technology is also used for different types of heat lamps.
Blue light rays are found on the opposite end of the light spectrum. Blue light rays emit the highest amount of energy and contain the shortest wavelengths. Blue light is sometimes referred to as violet or blue-violet light. Lights found beyond the visible light spectrum are called ultraviolet (UV) lights.
Visible blue light, just like ultraviolet blue lights, contains the highest amount of energy and offers some benefits and risks. Let’s take a look at some of the most important things that you should understand about blue light.
- Blue light can be found everywhere.
- The sky looks blue due to HEV light rays.
- The eyes have difficulty blocking blue light rays.
- Blue light exposure can increase your risk of developing macular degeneration.
- Blue light causes digital eye strain.
- After cataract surgery, it is essential that you protect your eyes from blue light rays.
- Blue light is not all bad.
Blue Light Filters and Protective Eyewear
If you constantly use your cell phone, tablet or computer, you need to reduce the amount of blue light that your eyes are subjected to. The best way to do this is to use a blue light filter.
These filters are available for many electronic devices, including computers, tablets, and smartphones. These filters reduce the blue light emitted from these devices without affecting the display of the device. Additionally, you can find filters made of tempered glass which will help.