What is Blue Light?
Light is made up of particles that travel in wavelengths measured as nanometers (nm). Blue light is the wavelength of light between 400-495 nm. Blue light is just one of the colours on the light spectrum, as shown in the graph (figure 1). Blue light is deemed as “good” or “bad” for our health based upon the source of light as well as the amount and timing of exposure.
Artificial Blue Light
Blue light is the primary spectrum of light emitted from screens and artificial lighting. In today’s day and age, that means we get exposed to an awful lot of it. The problem arises when we consider the powerful effect blue light has on our sleep-wake cycles, also known as our Circadian Rhythm. The isolated spike of blue light (fig 2-1) emitted from artificial light is foreign to our bodies and has been thoroughly researched and well documented to have negative effects on our health.
Natural Blue Light
Blue light is present in nature during the morning and mid-day when the sun is up. The blue light emitted by the sun is essential for regulating our circadian rhythms, but as you can see, it is always balanced by other wavelengths of light (fig 2-2). Blue light emitted through screens and most artificial lighting lacks the ideal balance provided by nature (fig 2-1). After the sun sets, we should have little to no exposure to blue light. But in today’s society, the opposite is true as more and more people are on devices and exposed to artificial light at night.
Figure 2-1: LEDs emit a large spike of artificial blue light unbalanced by other colours.
Figure 2-2: Sunlight emits the full spectrum of light, including blue, in balanced proportions for our biology.
The Dark Side of Blue Light
You can think of artificial blue light as “junk light.” Since humans evolved for hundreds of thousands of years without artificial light, this unnatural light is incompatible with our biology and contributes to a host of health issues over time. Our exposure is increasing at a rapid rate and a growing field of research has linked blue light to a number of health issues.
Excess blue light can directly damage your eyes causing eye strain, screen fatigue, headaches, retinal damage and may contribute to the development of cataracts and macular degeneration. Systemically, artificial blue light (especially at night) disrupts your circadian rhythm also known as your internal body clock or sleep-wake cycle.
Natural blue light from the sun tells your brain it’s day time causing your body to be alert and energized. When the sun sets, absence of light causes the release of your master sleep hormone and antioxidant, melatonin. Artificial blue light at night confuses your body into thinking it’s still daytime and suppresses the release of melatonin. Without melatonin your body cannot get deep and restorative sleep which contributes to nearly every chronic disease. One study even showed that artificial light is strongly associated with ALL cancers, YIKES!
So... What Now?
Ever since the invention of the light bulb in the 1800’s, we have made amazing technological advances but at a heavy biological cost. Research has found that over 80% of the world and 99% of USA and Europe are bathed in light-polluted skies. Take a look at the image below revealing how humans have illuminated our planet. Our light environment has changed dramatically over the years, and most of us are exposed to artificial light nearly 24/7. Enter NaturoBlocks: one of the proven ways to mitigate the damaging effects of blue light is to wear high quality Blue Blocking Glasses.
Image of North America at night captured by NASA August 2002.
Humans are the only species smart enough to create artificial light and stupid enough to live under it.
Dr. Jack Kruse, Neurosurgeon and Quantum Biology Expert
Beat the Blues with NaturoBlocks
NaturoBlocks are designed by health professionals based on the science of photobiology (how light affects our biology). We use lenses that have been verified to block out the correct spectrum and amount of blue light to protect you from the damaging effects of technology.
All of our lenses are lab-made using pigment-infused technology (the colour is infused into the lens) instead of using a surface coating that could scratch and wear off over time. We offer a wide variety of stylish unisex high-quality frames for both adults and children. You can find the frame that’s right for you HERE!
The majority of other blue blocking glasses are highly ineffective for two reasons:
1. They block a very small percentage of blue light: 3-9% on average.
2. They fail to block the damaging wavelength of blue light that is actually emitted from screens and digital devices (455nm).
In other words they do not block ENOUGH blue and they block the WRONG type of blue. If the lens is totally clear, it is NOT blocking the right type of blue light. Don’t be fooled by “blue light blocking” marketing tactics!
Daytime vs Nighttime Lenses
Daytime Screen Lenses
Wear your daytime glasses whenever you are inside under artificial light or looking at a screen. Never wear blue blocking glasses outside during the day as blue light from the sun is crucial for our health. If you prefer not to use nighttime sleep lenses, the daytime screen lenses can be used at night but will be less effective than our nighttime lenses.
Nighttime Sleep Lenses
Nighttime Sleep Lenses (COMING SOON!)
Our Nighttime Sleep Lenses block 100% of 400-550nm. This means they block the entire blue and part of the green spectrum. This is crucial because any exposure to light within this spectrum after dark will cause suppression of melatonin, our most important sleep hormone! The best night time strategy is to avoid all artificial light at night and sit around a fire… a virtually impossible task in today’s world! The next best strategy is to block the correct frequencies of artificial light with quality Nighttime Sleep Lenses so you can use technology safely at night.
After the sun sets, put on your Nighttime Lenses if you are going to be exposed to ANY type of artificial light until you go to sleep. Let’s face it – in today’s society, who isn’t?! These should also be used in the morning if you are exposed to artificial blue light before the sun rises. These glasses can be used outside at night if you are exposed to blue light (such as street and car lights) but avoid wearing them while driving.
The information and products on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. No information or product on this website is or should be used for the purposes of diagnosing, treating, curing or preventing any disease, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
