Approximately one third of all visible light is blue light, a high-energy light that has a number of biological effects, including on the eye. Blue light penetrates all the way to the retina and can damage the light-sensitive cells and can increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration.
Blue light also tends to be slightly defocused compared to other visible light, which can create a violet-blue blur that contributes to chromatic aberration, when wavelengths of colour are focused at different points, resulting in a mismatch where the colours do not combine as they should. Chromatic aberration especially affects visual quality and comfort when looking at digital screens, such as computers, laptops and smartphones. This phenomenon is a contributing factor to eyestrain, a common challenge for living in the digital age.
Although lower-energy blue light is necessary as it impacts our general wellbeing, helps boost alertness, memory and cognitive function, too much exposure to these light rays can suppress the production of melatonin in our body, a hormone that not only promotes restful sleep but also plays a vital role in slowing the progress of cancer, diabetes and other diseases.