Why LED light harms your eyes

The light-emitting diode (LED) is a popular light source in many households because it saves energy. The classic light bulb emits a light that is relatively close to daylight in terms of spectrum. In addition to light, the incandescent bulb also produces heat and infrared radiation, which are not needed to illuminate the room, but drive up energy costs. Due to the inefficiency of the incandescent bulb, it was taken off the market by the EU. LEDs are now providing light to our everyday lives, and not just as illuminants in homes. They are in many devices - from the typical stand-by light to the television, the light of the LED is ubiquitous. In this article, we explain why LED light can damage your eyes.

The high blue content of LED light is problematic

When analyzing the light of an LED, the relatively large proportion of blue light is striking. The blue light is stimulating, makes you awake, but can also damage the eyes. A remedy in private households can be the installation of a "retro LED" that produces less blue light and comes close to the spectral composition of the light of an incandescent bulb. Ophthalmologist Prof. Olaf Straß, who teaches at the Charité University Hospital, warns of the negative effects that blue light can have on our eyes. Blue light causes the formation of free radicals on the retina, which can lead to the death of photoreceptors. [1] The death of photoreceptors is normal to some extent, but the amount of blue light accelerates the aging of the retina by stimulating these processes and thus the aging process of the eyes. Studies suggest that regular exposure to blue light promotes age-related macular degeneration, leading to blindness in old age. [2]

For many of us, this is problematic because we rely on the electronic devices in our environment. A computer workstation is something many of us take for granted. An LED television or a smartphone are indispensable for many. So what can we do to protect ourselves from the harmful influence of blue light? Besides installing light sources that emit little blue light, one should be careful when dealing with blue light.

3 ways to reduce the strain on your eyes

Watching TV in the dark is bad for your eyes, because in the dark your pupils open and your eye is especially unprotected. Avoid such bad habits!
Smartphones and computer monitors are particularly critical because you look at them for a long time and with concentration. For this reason, you should take regular rest breaks for your eyes when working at a screen. Use the night mode of your devices, because in night mode they emit less blue light. Even better are software-based filters like f.lux or iris.
One Blueblocker Glasses help you protect your eyes from blue light in your environment.