circadian rhythm

The effects of blue light on human eyes, particularly from Light-emitting diode (LED) sources such as televisions, phones, and laptops, have been extensively studied to understand its implications. This review evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of blue-light exposure to the eyes, synthesizing findings from over 75 published works accessed through PubMed, Google Scholar, and Mendeley Reference Library. Blue light plays a vital role in night vision, colour discrimination, and non-visual physiological processes. It activates melanopsinphotopigments, essential for regulating melatonin, circadian rhythms, mood, memory, pupillary reflex, locomotor activity, and body temperature. However, exposure to the narrow blue-violet wavelength range (435±20 nm) can induce retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell apoptosis. Prolonged exposure disrupts sleep-wake cycles, accelerates RPE cell degeneration, increases retinal cellular acidity, contributes to cataract formation, and causes digital eye strain. While blue light is not entirely harmful, prolonged and unregulated exposure poses health risks. Protective strategies include using blue-light filters, intraocular lenses that block blue light and blue-blocking spectacles, which can mitigate digital eye strain and phototoxic retinal damage. Also, antioxidants may counteract oxidative stress caused by blue light. The findings underscore the need for longitudinal studies to better understand the long-term risks and benefits of blue-light exposure and to develop targeted interventions for safeguarding visual health.

The effects of blue light on human eyes, particularly from Light-emitting diode (LED) sources such as televisions, phones, and laptops, have been extensively studied to understand its implications. This review evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of blue-light exposure to the eyes, synthesizing findings from over 75 published works accessed through PubMed, Google Scholar, and Mendeley Reference Library. Blue light plays a vital role in night vision, colour discrimination, and non-visual physiological processes. It activates melanopsinphotopigments, essential for regulating melatonin, circadian rhythms, mood, memory, pupillary reflex, locomotor activity, and body temperature. However, exposure to the narrow blue-violet wavelength range (435±20 nm) can induce retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell apoptosis. Prolonged exposure disrupts sleep-wake cycles, accelerates RPE cell degeneration, increases retinal cellular acidity, contributes to cataract formation, and causes digital eye strain. While blue light is not entirely harmful, prolonged and unregulated exposure poses health risks. Protective strategies include using blue-light filters, intraocular lenses that block blue light and blue-blocking spectacles, which can mitigate digital eye strain and phototoxic retinal damage. Also, antioxidants may counteract oxidative stress caused by blue light. The findings underscore the need for longitudinal studies to better understand the long-term risks and benefits of blue-light exposure and to develop targeted interventions for safeguarding visual health.