Long-term consequence of LED light exposure

Computers, smartphones and tablets have permeated our everyday lives and are here to stay. While these technological devices have much to offer and have opened up new horizons for society, they don't come without potential negative side effects. A study conducted by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that the long-term use of devices with LED screens at night can cause some people to suffer from insomnia. The twelve study participants read on an iPad for four hours prior to bedtime for five days in a row and then did the same thing with a printed book for the next five days. The order was reversed for some of the participants. Results showed that the iPad readers had a harder time falling asleep, felt less sleepy at bedtime and had shorter REM cycles than the book readers did. The iPad readers were also more tired the next day despite getting a full eight hours of sleep. Another study from Spanish researchers revealed ocular tissue died when exposed to three 12-hour light-darkness cycles. While more research needs to be conducted, the mounting evidence is that long-term LED exposure could lead to negative health issues including insomnia and macular degeneration. Filtering the blue light that is emitted from your computer or mobile device can make the exposure to the screen safer. There are apps for that and there are computer screens available that block the blue light.*