Are LED Lights Bad for Your Eyes? Debunking the Myths and Facts

According to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDF), LED lights bad for your eyes, especially with high-energy blue LED light. If regularly exposed for a long time, LED light can lead to dryness, eye fatigue, retinal damage and macular degeneration. Even though LED lights are bad for your eyes, some people still misunderstand the true impact of LED lights on eye health. In this article, we will uncover the truth and debunk the myths surrounding LED lights, clear up misinformation, and provide insights into LED lighting to ensure your visual health.

Where can LED Lights be found?

LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights are light sources that use LED technology to emit light. The special feature of LED lights is that they use less energy, smaller in size and have a longer lifespan than other traditional light sources such as fluorescent lamps and halogen lamps.

Currently LED Lights are applied in many fields, including:

• Lighting: LED lights are widely used for indoor and outdoor lighting. They are used in various fixtures such as ceiling lights, wall sconces, table lamps and landscape lighting.
• LED screen display: LED is used to create LED screens in stages, stadiums, shopping centers, schools and many other places. LED screens are also applied to smart electronic devices such as TVs, smartphones, laptops, computers.
• Car accessories: LED is integrated into the exterior and interior lighting of cars, including headlights, taillights, turn signals and interior lighting, to improve visibility and create design highlights.
• Medical lighting equipment: Thanks to its brightness and color adjustment capabilities, LED is used in medical equipment such as surgical lights, reading lights for portable medical devices, and infrared sensor devices.

How do LED Lights work?

LED lights are designed with one or more small chips mounted on semiconductors. It will glow when electricity flows through it. This means that when current is applied to an LED device, the electrons inside it will begin to move from a region of negative charge (called "n-type") to a region of positive charge (called "n-type") and then produce light.

The color of the light emitted from LEDs depends on the material used and can range from the ultraviolet to the visible to the infrared spectrum.

While red and green LEDs have been used for decades, blue LEDs are only now becoming popular with Japanese inventors. This is considered a great achievement of LED technology because blue LEDs help create white light, so this invention was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics in 2014. LEDs are created by combining the colors of 3 red, green and blue LED lights. Additionally, white LED light can also be created by combining blue light with a low-energy yellow phosphor.

LED lights are increasingly used popularly because of their outstanding advantages, especially white light lights. However, few people pay attention to the fact that LED light bad for your eyes by emitting a significant amount of blue light.

Blue light from LED lights has a short wavelength and high energy so it can penetrate the retina and the inner lining behind the eye, so too much exposure to blue light can cause eye strain and glare. and retinal damage. Blue light also leads to the risk of macular degeneration, decreased vision as well as disrupting the body's circadian rhythm and affecting sleep if used excessively.

Except for the issue related to blue light, we must admit that LED lights bring many benefits compared to traditional lights such as fluorescent lights and halogen lights. These benefits make LED Lights a popular and preferred choice in many lighting applications from home to industrial and commercial.

• Long Lifespan: LED lights typically have a much longer lifespan than traditional lighting sources such as incandescent or fluorescent bulbs. Normally an LED lamp has a lifespan of 50,000 to 100,000 hours of lighting.
• Energy Efficiency: LED Lights consume 85% less energy than traditional lights.
• Durability: LED lights are made of durable materials such as metal and hard plastic, making them more durable and more resistant to shock, vibration and external impacts
• Instant Lighting: Unlike some traditional lighting sources which may take time to reach maximum brightness, LEDs provide instant light when turned on. This feature is especially beneficial in security lighting applications or emergency situations.
• Cost Savings: Long lifespan, energy savings and reduced maintenance requirements make LEDs a cost-effective choice.

Potential Effects of LED Lights on Eye Health by Experts

It is impossible to deny the outstanding advantages as well as the popularity of LED lights in human life today. From indoor lights, street lights, billboards, TV screens, computers to medical equipment, all have the appearance of LED lights.However, this popularity makes you worry whether LED light bad for your eyes?  Ophthalmologist Rishi Singh show that they are really harmful to the eyes and below are the specific analyzes:

Eye Strain and Fatigue

The American Medical Association shows that LED lights, especially those with high color temperatures or high percentages of blue light, can cause eye strain and fatigue when used for long periods of time, especially in the evening.

To minimize eye fatigue and strain when using LED lighting, you can actually use dimmable LED lights or use lower brightness lights in environments that require softer lighting. Practice methods to reduce eye strain such as looking away, closing your eyes, and taking periodic breaks when working with computers or LED lighting for long periods of time.

Irritation and Inflammation

According to experts, prolonged exposure to high-intensity LED lights can cause eye irritation and discomfort for some people. You may also experience symptoms such as dry, red, or blurred vision. Electromagnetic radiation emitted from LED lights, although low, may cause sensitivity or discomfort to a person, especially those who are hypersensitive to electromagnetic fields.

Retinal Damage

LED light bad for your eyes, especially the retina. Research results by Spanish experts in 2012 showed that LED lights cause permanent damage to your retina, especially when exposed to it for long periods of time and at high intensity. High-intensity LED light such as blue light can penetrate the cornea and lens, causing forms of oxidative stress and can cause damage to retinal cells.

To cause retinal damage, long-term and high-level exposure is usually required. These negative effects can increase depending on how much time you spend using electronic devices such as computers, cell phones, and blue LED lights. However, there is currently much controversy and research is continuing to evaluate the effects of blue light on the eye's retina.

Macular Degeneration

Can LED lights damage your eyes? If the temporary harm of LED lights is causing fatigue and pain to the eyes, their long-term harm is much more serious. According to the French Agency for Food Safety, Environment and Occupational Health (ANSES) and the American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDF), exposure to blue light also increases the risk of macular degeneration due to age (AMD) and reduces vision. A more serious consequence is the risk of blindness, especially for people over 50 years old.

Dry Eye

Long-term exposure to light from LED lights, especially when working in front of a computer screen or using electronic devices, causes dry eyes. When focusing on electronic screens, people tend to blink less, leading to dry, red and tired eyes. Blue light from electronic screens can also speed up tear evaporation, making eyes more susceptible to dryness. Besides, some studies show that blue light can also reduce the ability to secrete tears, leading to chronic dry eyes. This is proof that LED light bad for your eyes.

Sleep Disruption

The American Medical Association shows that people are often alert under blue light conditions, whether it is natural sunlight or from electronic devices. Therefore, blue light from LED lights or electronic devices such as TVs, computers, and phones reduces the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps control sleep cycles.

Also according to Light-at-night theory (LAN), exposure to blue light at night will fool the brain, thereby slowing down the secretion of melatonin, delaying sleep. This also causes changes in human biological cycles, sleep becomes increasingly shorter. Therefore, try to avoid blue light at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before going to bed so that the brain can produce melatonin and maintain good sleep.

Potential Cancer Risk

Not only is LED light bad for your eyes, but it also has a negative impact on overall your health, including causing cancer. The Cancer Prevention II (CPS-II) study on 190,000 people showed that women with a lot of exposure to LED light at night had a 24% higher risk of breast cancer than those with little or no exposure.

Meanwhile, men were 34% more likely to develop prostate cancer when exposed to LED light at night.They also concluded that too much exposure to blue light, especially in the evening, increases the risk of breast, colorectal and prostate cancer. This is explained because blue light causes the body to reduce the production of melatonin, a hormone related to sleep and cancer prevention properties, leading to circadian rhythm disorders and affecting overall health.

Note:  The harmful effects of LED lights on eye health can vary depending on each person's sensitivity as well as the duration of use. Each person has their own individual characteristics, including eye health and sensitivity to light, so a person may experience greater eye fatigue and sleep disruption when exposed to LED lights. Time of use, light intensity or color temperature from LED lights also lead to different levels of influence. The more exposure and the higher the color temperature, the more severe the impact and vice versa.

Myths and Misconceptions about LED Lights and Eye 

Faced with information about the negative effects of LED lights as well as blue light on users' eyes and health, many people have many different myths and misconceptions about their effects. By dispelling these misconceptions and providing accurate information, you can better understand the relationship between LED lights and eye health, therefore, make informed decisions about your lighting choices. 

Myth: All LED Lights Are Harmful to Your Eyes

Fact: While it's true that LED light bad for your eyes, not all lights are the same. Only LED lights containing a lot of blue light will cause dry eyes, eye fatigue or reduced vision. Some LED lights are manufactured to minimize blue light with the purpose of reducing impact on the eyes, so they are quite safe to use. LED lights with reduced blue light emission are often marketed as "warm" or "soft" white, and they typically have a warmer, more yellowish hue compared to standard LED lights. These lights are often preferred for nighttime use to help promote better sleep quality. Blue light filters on electronic device screens or UV-protective glasses are applied to reduce negative effects on the eyes. 

Myth: LED Lights Themselves Are Bad for Our Eyes

Fact: The belief that LED lights themselves are inherently harmful to our eyes is a common misconception that has spread in recent years.

The real cause of eye health problems is blue light, but not all LED lights have blue light. Furthermore, there is no convincing evidence that LED lights themselves pose a significant risk of eye damage when used in a reasonable and scientific manner. LED light bad for your eyes only if you use them too much. 

Myth: Using blue light filters or glasses is mandatory when using LED lights

Fact: The use of glasses or blue light filters is not required when using LED lights, but they may be beneficial for some individuals, especially those with high exposure or sensitivity to lights. Blue light filters or glasses reduce the amount of blue light reaching the eyes, which can help reduce eye strain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances associated with overexposure.

However, it is essential to pay attention to eye health as well as body when using LED lights or electronic devices. Practice good habits like taking regular breaks, adjusting screen brightness, and maintaining proper lighting conditions to promote overall eye health.

Myth: Blue light from LED lights causes irreversible eye damage

Fact: Although prolonged exposure to high-intensity blue light, especially at close range and for long periods of time, may contribute to eye strain, discomfort or damage to the retina, there is no evidence yet. There is no convincing evidence that it by itself leads to irreversible eye damage. The main risk factors remain time and situations of use.

Myth: LED lights emit harmful UV radiation

Fact: Unlike traditional incandescent bulbs that produce some UV radiation as a byproduct during operation, LEDs are designed to convert electrical energy directly into visible light without radiation. UV. As a result, LED lights typically emit minimal or no ultraviolet (UV) radiation, posing no risk of UV-related eye damage.

How to Protect LED Light from Affecting Eyes?

Based on detailed analysis of the potential harmful effects of LED light, you can see that LED light is bad for your eyes. Therefore, applying methods to combat its harmful effects on eye health is essential. Learn how to protect eyes from led light to improve your eye health.

Used Time and Usage

• Take regular breaks with 20-20-20 rule: LED light bad for your eyes if used continuously for a long time, therefore, every 20 minutes, take a break by looking away from the screen and focusing on something at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. You can also move your eyes in circles, blink quickly for a few seconds, or focus on objects at different distances. This 20-20-20 rule helps reduce eye strain and fatigue caused by prolonged screen use.

• Minimize exposure to LED lights before bedtime: Minimize exposure to LED lights before bed: LED lights can interfere with the body's natural sleep-wake cycle and suppress the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep. Avoid using electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and TVs at least an hour before bed to improve sleep quality and duration, leading to better overall health and well-being. 

• Optimize lighting conditions: LED light bad for your eyes, especially when you use them in inappropriate lighting conditions. Ensure proper lighting conditions in your environment when using LED lights to avoid damage to your eyes and body health. Light that is too bright or harsh can cause glare and discomfort. Meanwhile, low light conditions will make your eyes tired and dry.

Brightness

• Reduce the brightness of LED lights and LED screens: Lights that are too bright or too dark are harmful to your eyes, so you should adjust the brightness to a moderate level. Or you can also set automatic brightness adjustment to balance the screen brightness with the external light in your environment. This will make your eyes more comfortable.
• Use LED lights with a low color temperature: You should choose LED lights labeled “warm white” or with a color temperature of around 2700K to 3000K. These LED lights create a more comfortable and calming lighting environment, which can be beneficial for reducing eye strain and promoting relaxation. It also emits minimal blue light compared to LED lights with higher color temperatures, minimizing its potential impact on sleep quality and circadian rhythms.

Distance

LED light bad for your eyes, especially when kept at a close distance or shined directly into the eyes. Place the LED lights at a reasonable distance to ensure the light from the LED lights is evenly distributed across the work surface or lighting space. Ceiling lights should be hung about 7 feet (84 inches) above the floor or task lights should be placed at eye level so that the light is diffused enough without harming the eyes.

For LED light sources from electronic devices, you should adhere to a certain distance to protect eye health, in which, keep your eyes about 30 - 40cm away from the phone, 50 - 60cm away from the computer and 50 - 60cm away from the computer, 2m from TV. Adjust the tilt and height of the screen to minimize reflections and glare, ensuring your eyes are comfortable and don't strain when looking up or down the screen.

LED Light Quality

• Seek out “flicker-free” LED bulbs: One of the reasons why LED light bad for your eyes is flicker. Flickering LED lights can cause eye strain and discomfort, especially at lower frequencies that are imperceptible to the naked eye. Choose LED bulbs advertised as "flicker-free" or with minimal flicker to reduce the risk of eye strain and headaches from flickering light. Manufacturers often emphasize this feature on product packaging or in product descriptions to reassure consumers about the quality of the bulb.
• Use dimmer switches or adjustable LED lights: Dimmer switches or dimmable LED lights allow you to adjust brightness levels to your specific lighting needs and preferences. This customization allows you to create the ideal lighting environment for a variety of activities, such as reading, relaxing, or entertaining. 
• Choose products from reputable brands: Choose LED bulbs and lighting fixtures from reputable brands with UL (Underwriters Laboratories), CE (Conformité Européene) or RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) certification. High-quality LEDs are more likely to deliver consistent performance, uniform illumination, and color accuracy, enhancing eye comfort and the overall visual experience.

Protective Objects

• Use lubricating eye drops: Lubricating eye drops can help reduce eye strain and fatigue caused by exposure to LED lights. By maintaining appropriate moisture on the ocular surface, lubricating eye drops promote comfortable vision and minimize discomfort associated with dry eyes. Using eye drops regularly also helps protect the ocular surface and enhances overall eye health.

• Use anti-glare filters when using electronic devices: LED light bad for your eyes, so you should use an anti-glare filter to protect your eyes from intense light. Anti-glare filters or screen protectors can minimize glare and reflections on electronic devices thereby improving visibility and enhancing eye comfort during prolonged screen use.
• Install diffusers or lampshades to scatter the light: A diffuser or lampshade can disperse and reduce the glare of light emitted from LED fixtures. Install diffusers or lampshades over LED bulbs or fixtures to create more diffused and evenly distributed light, creating a softer, more visually comfortable lighting environment.
• Turn on the blue-light filtering or night-mode feature on your device: Many electronic devices offer built-in blue light filter settings or downloadable apps that allow you to filter blue light. Install and activate these software or apps to reduce blue light exposure during screen time. You should also enable the night mode setting on your LED device to automatically adjust color temperature and filter blue light in low light conditions.
• Use blue light blocking devices: LED light bad for your eyes, so applying blue light filtering screen protectors to your electronic devices or using blue light filtering glasses are good ways to protect your eyes. They help you minimize exposure to blue light, reduce eye strain, fatigue and sleep disorders.

Note:

If you are experiencing symptoms of eye strain, discomfort, dryness, irritation or other vision problems, you should see an eye care professional to diagnose the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment options. fit. By identifying and addressing eye problems promptly, you can help prevent complications and protect your eye health over the long term.

In short, although LED light bad for your eyes such as causing eye strain, discomfort, vision loss or macular degeneration, especially when exposed for a long time, not all of them are harmful or not. causes irreversible eye damage. It is essential to be acutely aware of authentic information, thereby adopting healthy habits and choosing optimal methods to protect eye health as well as overall health.