Blue light emitted by smartphones and laptops accelerates blindness
Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2018 7:05 am
Blue light emitted by smartphones and laptops accelerates blindness by making a molecule in our eyes toxic
Staring at screens all day isn't good for us — we know this. It can cause eye strain, sometimes called computer vision syndrome, and the light is so bright it can mimic sunlight, mess with our hormones, and prevent us from feeling sleepy.
And according to a new study, published last month in the journal Scientific Reports, the blue light emitted by our phones, tablets, and laptops might increase our chance of becoming blind. Previous studies have found that blue light is harmful, but researchers from the University of Toledo say it can make molecules "toxic."
The team found that shining blue light on eye cells transforms vital molecules into a cell-killing poison that can lead to age-related macular degeneration, one of the biggest causes of blindness worldwide.