Can Blue Light Cause Headaches?

Damage To Skin

Exposure to UVB and UVA rays can damage the skin and increase the chances of skin cancer. There is evidence that blue light exposure can also damage the skin. A study from 2015 has shown that blue light exposure increased the number of free radicals on the skin and decreased antioxidants.

Sleep Disruption

A study conducted in 2018 showed that headaches and sleep disturbance go parallel. Sleep problems will lead to migraine headaches and tension, resulting in you losing your sleep.

Signs You May Have a Blue-light-induced Headache

If you have been using a blue light-emitting device, you will notice these symptoms:

• Headache
• Squinting
• Tension in the shoulder, facial, and neck muscles
• Blurry vision
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Burning, stinging, sore, or itchy eyes

How To Prevent And Avoid Getting A Headache From Blue Light

Adjust The Workstation To Help Get a Proper Posture

If you spend a very long time on your computer without considering your sitting posture, you might be more prone to get headaches. 

• Place the monitor at eye level to avoid bending your neck a lot.
• Use a lumbar support pillow to support your lower back or adjust your chair
• Put the keyboard one or two inches above the thighs.
• Lower or raise the armrests so that the shoulders can relax while working.
• Use a screen to decrease the brightness of the devices.
• Keep the monitor twenty to twenty-five inches from the body.

Change The Light Settings On The Device

Many devices include the feature to change from blue light to a warm tone. Some switching to night mode or warm tones on a device will help maintain the body’s ability to produce melatonin.

Take Breaks To Stretch

Muscle tension can cause headaches. To ease some of the tension, you should do stretches to relax the muscles in your upper back, neck, head, and arms. 

Keep Your Eyes Moist

When you concentrate on a difficult task or stare at a screen, you probably blink much less than you usually should. Using artificial tears, office humidifiers, or eye drops can help you keep moisture levels in the eyes to a proper level if you are not blinking sufficiently.

Try The 20/20/20 Method

Pause after 20 minutes, concentrate on anything about 20 feet away, and look at it for 20 seconds. This variation in the distance will give your eyes a rest from intense and up-close focusing.

CONCLUSION

Playing or working for long hours on blue light-emitting devices such as tablets, phones, and laptops, will lead to headaches—but it might not be the light that creates problems. It might be light sensitivity, posture, eye strain, or muscle tension. Researchers do not exactly know how blue light can affect your eyes or overall health. Therefore, it is good to get routine eye check-ups and consult your doctor if headaches interfere with life quality.