As is well known, nowadays smartphones generally have an “eye protection mode” function, which many friends will enable, especially those who stay up late.
After enabling this feature, the most intuitive feeling for everyone is that the screen brightness becomes dim yellow, the light is softer, and playing with the phone is not so dazzling.
So, does the ‘eye protection mode’ really work?
In fact, regarding the function of “eye protection mode”, mobile phone manufacturers explain that this is mainly achieved by reducing the blue light on the screen, thereby indirectly reducing the damage to the eyes.
Does this statement have scientific basis?
Before discussing whether the “eye protection mode” is effective, let’s first talk about blue light, because most people have only a partial understanding of blue light, which is actually the culprit that harms our eyes!
Blue Light – Invisible Killer of Vision
Blue light belongs to visible light, with wavelengths between 400 and 500 nanometers, and is widely present in people’s daily lives. LED lights, incandescent lamps, various bath heaters, fluorescent lamps, LCD TV monitors, and mobile phone screen lights in the home all emit blue light.
Regarding the harm of blue light radiation to the eyes, let’s take a look at a set of data:
research data
According to data released by the WHO Eye Care Association, blue light and radiation cause severe visual impairment to over 30000 people worldwide every year.
According to data from the Ophthalmology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, 63.5% of China’s 420 million internet users experience eye discomfort, vision loss, and even cataracts and damage to the retina due to blue light and other radiation.
Blue light at 400-450 nanometers, also known as shortwave blue light, has high energy and can even penetrate the lens of the eye to reach the retina, which may increase retinal oxidation reactions and produce harmful free radicals.
The eyes are in an unprotected state, and prolonged exposure to blue light may cause photochemical damage to the retina, leading to degenerative changes such as age-related macular degeneration.
Can eye protection mode reduce blue light radiation?
As mentioned above, the “eye protection mode” function mainly adjusts the color temperature of the phone screen.
In this process, the combination of multiple light sources changes the color temperature and indirectly reduces blue light radiation. From this theoretical perspective, activating the “eye protection mode” can indeed protect the eyes.
However, the ‘eye protection mode’ can only reduce a portion of blue light radiation and cannot completely eliminate the harm of blue light to the eyes.
At the same time, due to the fact that the “eye protection mode” is turned on, the phone screen becomes darker. When we play with our phones, we need to concentrate our attention on the words on the screen, which will increase the burden on our eyes.
Therefore, if factors such as eye habits, eye distance, and ambient light intensity are not changed, even if the “eye protection mode” is turned on, it cannot truly protect vision, and instead will cause a certain burden on the eyes, which can easily harm them over time.
How to protect your eyes when using electronic products?
Playing with mobile phones requires maintaining an appropriate distance
When playing with mobile phones, our eyes should maintain a minimum distance of 40 centimeters from the phone. Because the closer the phone is, the greater the strain on the eyes and the more likely it is to cause visual fatigue.
Control the duration of mobile phone usage
We should reasonably control the duration of mobile phone usage when using electronic products.
When focusing closely with your eyes, take a 5-10 minute break every 40 minutes, and try to look into the distance or massage your eyes moderately during the break.
Choose a good eye environment
When using electronic products such as mobile phones and computers, it is important to choose a good eye environment and avoid using your eyes in strong or weak light, as this can effectively protect your vision.
Blink your eyes frequently to reduce dry eye conditions
When using electronic products, it is advisable to blink more frequently to keep the eyes moist and reduce the risk of developing dry eye syndrome.
Regularly check vision
Regularly visit a reputable ophthalmic hospital for double vision function tests and establish a refractive record as early as possible. This can play a preventive role in eye diseases such as myopia and dry eye.