Read the text below.
A recent study has revealed that blue light has harmful effects on longevity and on the eyes and brain.
Researchers from the Oregon State University cautioned that extended exposure to blue light, which is emitted by electronic devices like smartphones and laptops, may accelerate aging and damage brain cells.
The researchers conducted an experiment on fruit flies, which they chose because the species has similar genetic patterns to humans. One group of flies was exposed to blue LED light for 12 hours and put in darkness for another 12 hours daily. A second group was exposed to natural light instead of blue light, while a third one was continuously subjected to darkness.
The experiment’s results showed that flies exposed to blue light had damaged cells in the eyes and the brain. Their ability to climb was also reduced, and their lifespans were shortened compared to the group left in constant darkness. The light had the same effect even on flies without eyes, implying that it is not necessary to see blue light to be affected by it.
The study’s lead author clarified that the findings cannot be fully applied to humans since human brains absorb less blue light compared to fly brains. However, she emphasized that long-term blue light exposure still has harmful effects on humans, including visual fatigue and headache that can potentially harm one’s health. So, the researchers recommend reducing exposure by wearing glasses that can filter blue light and by activating device settings that turn off blue light.