CASE Cover REPORT Story
Is Blue Light Making You Feel Blue ?
by 1 Brooklyn Barton ; 2 Sandra Marchese Johnson , MD , FAAD
1 intern , Johnson Dermatology , Fort Smith , ARK . Johnson Dermatology , Fort Smith , ARK .
Abstract
Blue light is in the visible light spectrum and has been recently discovered to have negative effects on the human body . Blue light , which is in the 400-525 nanometric range , can affect the eyes , circadian rhythm , and skin . Prolonged exposure to the eyes can lead to blindness and gradual loss of sight by retina degradation . Blue light ’ s effect on the circadian rhythm can disrupt one ’ s sleeping quality leading to negative effects on the body , while exposure to the skin can lead to discolorations , photoaging , and skin cancer . Preventatives of blue light exposure include but are not limited to limiting exposure to screens , topical sunscreen with “ environmental blockers ” like iron oxide , screen protectors , the yellow night filter on smart devices , and blue light filters on some glasses . Limiting one ’ s exposure to blue light can provide an improvement to one ’ s health and confidence .
Figure 1 . Image portraying Isaac Newton , https :// media . buzzle . com
Figure 2 . Image portraying the strength and length of the electromagnetic spectrum catalyticcolor . com
Introduction
Have you ever wondered why you are gaining more brown spots with age ? Brown spots , also known as lentigos , as well as brown patches , also known as melasma , develop because of birthday candles ( chronological aging ), genetics , and environmental exposure . Most people consider only UV light when considering environmental exposure . Heat and visible light , especially prolonged blue light exposure from screens , have also been implicated in damage to the integumentary system .
Wavelengths and Blue Light
The study of measurable light was originated by Isaac Newton in the 17th century by observing a light bouncing off a crystalline prism , revealing a rainbow . Over time , many more individuals studied light and formulated a measurable spectrum that would officially be termed the visible light spectrum . The visible light spectrum is a scale of electromagnetic wavelengths that can be seen with the naked eye . A wavelength is the distance between crests of a continuous wave . The larger the nanometric number , the larger the wavelengths ; in contrast , the smaller the wavelength , the more potent the wave . For example , the color red is roughly 600-750 nanometers , whereas yellow is roughly 550-570 nanometers . The red wavelengths are larger than those of yellow . Blue light is approximately 400-525 nanometers . 7 Recently , it has been observed that the blue light that is emitted from outside stimuli including the sun , certain fluorescent lights , and smart devices ( such as , phones , computer screens , and televisions ) has been causing havoc on our skin , eyes , and circadian rhythms . 11
The average time a young adult is exposed to screens is roughly 14 hours a day . If a person averages 14 hours per day for 40 years cumulatively that would be 204,400 hours exposed to the blue light on the screen . This can lead to many issues with our health . Since the skin is the protective organ of the body , the skin may be the most affected organ from blue light exposure . 8
Effect of Blue Light on the Eyes , Circadian Rhythms , and Skin
As stated previously , blue light affects our skin , eyes , and circadian rhythms . Blue light can cause mutation of the skin cells that are exposed . These genetic mutations are what causes pigmentation issues , extrinsic aging , and potentially , skin cancer .
As for the effect of blue light in one ’ s eyes , when blue light travels through the lens of one ’ s eye , it is then reflected into the retina . The retina is the inner lining of the eye that possesses rods and cones . These rods and cones convert the light into electrical stimuli , where the brain can translate this light into an image to be understood . Like skin , overexposure can cause cell mutations and retina degradation that may lead to certain eye cancers . Blue light can also cause vision problems over time , as prolonged exposure can cause blindness and change sight perception . The circadian rhythm is the term used to illustrate the body ’ s 24-hour cycle of activity and rest . This rhythm helps dictate when the body needs rest and when the body needs energy at a subconscious level . For example , at
160 • The Journal of the Arkansas Medical Society www . ArkMed . org