This post was last updated on July 24th, 2024 at 02:55 pm.

“Attention Kmart shoppers!”

No, we’re not talking about the flashing light that alerts you to special discounts! We are talking about the blue light emitting from fluorescent light bulbs, LED lights, and the screens on our computers, cell phones, TVs, and other devices. Blue light naturally occurs in sunlight and plays a very important role in our daily lives because it cues our bodies to be awake and alert during the daytime.

While it is very advantageous, according to Harvard Health Publications, blue light also has a dark side.

(W)e may be paying a price for basking in all that light. At night, light throws the body’s biological clock—the circadian rhythm—out of whack. Sleep suffers. Worse, research shows that it may contribute to the causation of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.”

This artificial light from screens may also cause eyestrain, headaches, and fatigue.

What can you do to minimize the harmful effects of blue light?

It’s important to be aware of the risks and potential effects that exposure to blue light can have on each of us. Since so many people spend a large portion of their days looking at a computer or other screens, it’s a good idea to take precautions to limit the amount we’re taking in.

Some ideas to limit exposure include taking frequent breaks throughout the day from looking at your screen and avoiding screen time at least two or three hours before bed. If you absolutely can’t avoid screen time before bed, consider alternative methods of limiting exposure such as using computer glasses or installing a program to help block the blue light.

A few staff members in the Icon Systems office have special computer glasses engineered to eliminate digital eye strain and block artificial blue light, called Gunnars. http://www.gunnars.com

Others in the office use a program called f.lux that makes the color of your computer’s display adapt to the time of day- warm at night, and like sunlight during the day. Download the program for free for Mac OS X, Windows, or Linux at https://justgetflux.com.

What do you do to minimize eye strain?