Chemists discover how blue light speeds blindness • Hacker News Board

Re: Chemists discover how blue light speeds blindness

#11

Post by pishpash » Thu, Aug 09, 2018, 4:04 PM UTC

goda90 wrote: post #6

b_b wrote: post #4

For many of us whose use of these blue-light emitting computer and phone screens is necessary, what can we do about it?

Well at least a start is to use software like f.lux that reduces the blue levels on the screen. There are also over screen filters and yellow tinted glasses that can filter the blue light.

It sounds like one should use it permanently, and not just at night. But the real problem is the spectral composition of the synthetic white light on screens. Now I want fluorescent backlights back.

Re: Chemists discover how blue light speeds blindness

#12

Post by kjullien » Thu, Aug 09, 2018, 4:04 PM UTC

kypro wrote: post #7

kjullien wrote: post #3

Did we not already know about this ? I remember 5+ years ago blue LEDs were pulled off of the market (at least in France) because the spectrum they emit in is way too close to uv and could burn your macula.

Wait, is UV light bad for your eyes? Should I be careful about visiting bars with UV light too?

Yes, UV rays cause damage to pretty much any organic matter, that's the reason we wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and why cheap "fake" sunglasses can be harmful for your eyes (the glass is simply tinted and does not filter out the UVs, which is what they should be doing)

edit: the way I remember it is that like any type of radiation, anything that goes into your body stays there pretty much until your death, the only way to keep your "uv capital" in good shape is to be proactive about it, cant do anything retroactively. This is why about 1/3rd of Australians will develop some form of skin cancer in their lifetime.

Re: Chemists discover how blue light speeds blindness

#13

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Aug 09, 2018, 4:04 PM UTC

kypro wrote: post #7

kjullien wrote: post #3

Did we not already know about this ? I remember 5+ years ago blue LEDs were pulled off of the market (at least in France) because the spectrum they emit in is way too close to uv and could burn your macula.

Wait, is UV light bad for your eyes? Should I be careful about visiting bars with UV light too?

[deleted]

Re: Chemists discover how blue light speeds blindness

#14

Post by jtl999 » Thu, Aug 09, 2018, 4:06 PM UTC

b_b wrote: post #4

For many of us whose use of these blue-light emitting computer and phone screens is necessary, what can we do about it?

I've been wondering if GB-R LED backlit displays help? I haven't seen any reviews which compare the LED spectrum vs a standard white (blue)LED backlit display, but it might be something of interest.

Examples of a GB-R LED backlit display include the NEC PA302W, so they aren't common.

Re: Chemists discover how blue light speeds blindness

#15

Post by corpMaverick » Thu, Aug 09, 2018, 4:06 PM UTC

From the article...

   To protect your eyes from blue light, Karunarathne advises

   to wear sunglasses that can filter both UV and blue light 

   outside and avoid looking at your cell phones or tablets in the dark."

Please share any additional actionable advice.

Re: Chemists discover how blue light speeds blindness

#16

Post by cheschire » Thu, Aug 09, 2018, 4:07 PM UTC

corpMaverick wrote: post #15

From the article... To protect your eyes from blue light, Karunarathne advises to wear sunglasses that can filter both UV and blue light outside and avoid looking at your cell phones or tablets in the dark." Please share any additional actionable advice.

Set your monitor to R=49, G=34, B=19

Re: Chemists discover how blue light speeds blindness

#17

Post by Razengan » Thu, Aug 09, 2018, 4:07 PM UTC

sandGorgon wrote: post #10

Fedora/Gnome has had "Night Light" built into the OS by default. Big difference to eye strain with it !

iOS, macOS and Windows as well.

Re: Chemists discover how blue light speeds blindness

#18

Post by MisterTea » Thu, Aug 09, 2018, 4:07 PM UTC

kypro wrote: post #7

kjullien wrote: post #3

Did we not already know about this ? I remember 5+ years ago blue LEDs were pulled off of the market (at least in France) because the spectrum they emit in is way too close to uv and could burn your macula.

Wait, is UV light bad for your eyes? Should I be careful about visiting bars with UV light too?

Supposedly the intensity of a "black light", the UV emitting lamps found in clubs/bars/amusement attractions/etc are below the harmful threshold.

I have never been comfortable in their presence as my eyes begin to fatigue and I experience discomfort. YMMV.

Re: Chemists discover how blue light speeds blindness

#19

Post by rgrove » Thu, Aug 09, 2018, 4:09 PM UTC

> To protect your eyes from blue light, Karunarathne advises to [...] avoid looking at your cell phones or tablets in the dark.

Can someone explain why it would be worse to look at a cell phone in the dark? It's emitting the same blue light (or less, if the display gets dimmer) as it is in a bright environment. Why is that light more harmful in a dark environment?

Re: Chemists discover how blue light speeds blindness

#20

Post by burkemw3 » Thu, Aug 09, 2018, 4:09 PM UTC

b_b wrote: post #4

For many of us whose use of these blue-light emitting computer and phone screens is necessary, what can we do about it?

You can wear glasses that filter blue light.

The article mentions wearing them outside, but they work inside as well.

I wear them, and they provide other benefits for me as well (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16529054#16531413)