Have you heard about the dangers of digital eye strain and blue light exposure in the
workplace?
Office workers tend to develop what is known as Computer Vision Syndrome, a
painful outcome of staring at a screen that is accompanied by headaches, red eyes, blurred
vision and light sensitivity. However, the problem isn’t just limited to the workplace; it can
happen anywhere you are using technology.
The range of time we spend on our digital devices spans from early morning until late at
night. More than 80 percent of Americans admit to using digital devices such as cell phones,
laptops, e-readers or notepads in the hour before heading to bed, which can disrupt normal
sleep patterns since they increase the brain’s alertness. This can make you feel restless,
trigger insomnia and throw your sleep patterns out of whack. This is because you are
increasing your exposure to blue light, which is a hazard of our modern world.
What is Blue Light?
The light that digital devices output, blue light is also known as high energy visible (HEV)
light; it’s a frequency of light with short wavelengths that emit a higher energy. Because of
this, blue light penetrates deeply into your eye, and prolonged exposure to it may result in:
Besides the light exposure from sunlight, digital device screens are the most common source of blue light, and they are something most people are exposed to every day. Not being aware of it can lead to digital eye strain and Computer Vision Syndrome.
Blue light penetrates deep into the eye, causing potential damage.
Did you know that with Windows 10 Creators Update (April 2017) you can now lower the
amount of blue light emitted from your PC at night with Night light?
Did you know that Apple brought Night Shift to MacOS in MacOS Sierra in March 2017?
By reducing the blue light emitted by your screen, the Night light feature helps you sleep
better. With Night light, when you’re working late, your brain is better ready to power down
for a good night’s sleep. Smartphone users love this feature and now, it’s coming to
Windows 10 with the Creators Update.
Windows 10
Microsoft added a blue light limiting feature to Windows 10 in the Creators Update that was released in April 2017. Called “Night light,” this feature shifts the Windows 10 display to show warmer colors that reduce the amount of blue light that’s emitted.
Turning the Night light feature on is a simple enough process:
Step 1: Open up the settings menu by searching for it in the Windows 10 search box, or press the Windows key and X and then click Settings.
Step 2: Choose System from the menu.
Step 3: Select Display from the left-hand menu if it isn’t already.
Step 4: Toggle the Night light switch to on.
To configure the Night light feature, click on Night light settings. Configuration options include the ability to turn the Night light on immediately, adjust the color temperature while the feature is enabled, and schedule when the Night light will turn on and off.
To set the schedule, toggle the Schedule night light option to on. Then, you can either choose to let Night light turn itself on at sunset and off at sunrise — automatically determined by your location — or you can set the time manually by clicking Set hours and choosing when the feature should turn on and off.
When you first turn the feature on, you’ll notice the color shift immediately. After a while, your eyes will adjust to the change and it should be less intrusive. By reducing the amount of blue light, however, the Night light feature will then be limiting the impact of using your Windows 10 PC late at night — you could find it easier to get to sleep, and your sleep might be deeper and more restful.
Mac-OS
Step 1: Open System Preferences.
Step 2: Select Displays, then click on the Night Shift tab.
On the settings page, you can configure when the Night Shift feature will automatically run, turn it on until the next day’s sunrise, and set the color temperature to your preferences. In terms of scheduling, you can let MacOS turn it on and off at sunset and sunrise based on your location, or you can set a custom schedule.
Just like with Windows 10’s Night light feature, Night Shift will make your display’s colors warmer and reduce the amount of blue light that’s emitted. Give it a try to see if it improves your sleep habits and lets you be healthier, more productive, and generally a happier Mac user.