Blue Light From TVs And Phones Accelerates Aging In Humans

A study by Oregon State University researchers found that blue light emitted from today’s gadgets probably accelerates the aging rate, which ultimately decreases lifetime. Apart from damaging the eyes’ retina, blue light is likely to cause damage to brain cells as well, at least in the fruit flies used for studies.

According to the researchers, the blue light harms the fruit flies, which is a significant subject for the studies because of the cellular and developmental mechanisms similarity that it shares with humans. The researched flies were exposed to blue light cycles from LEDs in 12 hours, a similar type used in smartphones and tablets.

When comparing the flies kept in the light with the blue-light filters and those completely kept in darkness, the research found that the flies that were exposed to 12-hour blue LED light had a shorter lifespan. They reportedly had damage not only to their retina cells but also to their brain neurons. They also had difficulty climbing the walls in the cage due to the damage they suffered.

It is worth noting that the flies which did not develop eyes also had locomotion and brain issues. This means the blue light could lead to various health problems even when it is invisible. Additionally, the blue-light exposure also disrupts the circadian rhythm, which potentially leads to hormone issues, sleep disorders, and more.

Although humans cannot avoid the exposure to blue light, the scientists recommended that we can wear amber lenses that help filter out the light to help to protect their precious eyes until better substitutes are developed. Lead author Trevor Nash said: