14 DAY TRIAL // An investigation carried out by Spanish researchers has revealed that there is one noteworthy dark side to LED lights. Thus, environmental benefits aside, it appears that LED lights can negatively affect humans and make them go blind.
The Spanish researchers explain how, as far as they can tell, the light emitted by such bulbs can cause serious damage to an individual's retina. To make matters even worse, they say that this damage is irreparable.
Although LED bulbs cost way more money than run-off-the-mill ones, several people choose to buy them on account of their being highly energy efficient.
Daily Mail reports that, more often than not, LED bulbs burn about 85% less energy than a regular one. Furthermore, they have a life span of about 10 years.
Because of this, both manufacturers and consumers expect them to deliver significant results in time.
These results have to do with the bulbs' lowering a household electricity bill and their helping reduce that household's ecological footprint.
Dr. Celia Sánchez-Ramos, a specialist currently working with the Complutense University in Madrid, explains that the retina works by detecting light and thus enabling us to see.
However, she says that prolonged exposure to LEDs, which emit a short-wave, high-energy blue and violet light, harms the cells that make up the retina.
Both Dr. Celia Sánchez-Ramos and her fellow researchers warn about the fact that, since LED lights are now part and parcel of gadgets, television and computer screens, their impact on public health might take a turn for the worse in the years to come.
“This problem is going to get worse, because humans are living longer and children are using electronic devices from a young age, particularly for schoolwork,” said research wished to stress.
“Eyes are not designed to look directly at light - they are designed to see with light,” she further pointed out.