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Can LED Lights Cause Headaches?

Can LED Lights Cause Headaches?

14th Apr 2022

Can LED lights cause headaches and migraines? This blog post will show you why led lights cause migraines. Plus, we will discuss some of the common symptoms of light sensitivity. We'll also take a look at what colors of led lights might not be as harmful for your migraines or sensitivity to light. Most importantly, lets find out how to prevent the negative effects of LED Lighting.

Why Do LED Lights Cause Migraines?

LED light are everywhere we look now. You see it in your home, office, schools and even on the street. LED lighting is a popular choice for many reasons: they're energy-efficient, last long and come in a variety of colors.

But what you might not know is that LED lights can cause migraines and headaches. The reason for this is that LEDs emit short wave, high energy, blue light. This type of light is known to cause headaches, migraines, eye strain and fatigue. You may be aware the fluorescent light emits harmful blue light. But did you know that LED lights actually emit much more?

Symptoms of Light Sensitivity

Wondering if you suffer from the harmful effects of LED Lighting? It's possible that you could be experiencing light sensitivity, also known as photophobia.

Light sensitivity is a condition in which exposure to ordinary lighting sources causes discomfort or pain due to the stimulation of visual receptors within your eyes. This means office lights, classroom lights and even blue light from LED bulbs can all cause issues for sufferers of this disorder.

Some of the most common symptoms are...

  • Headaches
  • Migraines
  • Loss of Focus or Concentration
  • Trouble Sleeping
  • Constant Squinting
  • Pressure or swelling near eyes

If you are experiencing these symptoms it may be time to take action and make changes to your lighting.

What LED Light Color Helps With Headaches?

According to a recent Harvard study, green LED lights are the best for reducing headaches and migraines. The worst colors of LED lights to look out for include blue, white and red as they can increase the likelihood and severity of these conditions.

What is blue light? It’s one part of visible light that helps regulate your circadian rhythms (sleep/wake cycle). When exposed to blue light it sends a signal to your brain that tells you that it's time to wake up. If this blue spectrum doesn't decrease at night then you risk disrupting or delaying sleep patterns which will leave you feeling tired throughout the day with reduced focus levels making work more difficult than usual. Blue LEDs should be avoided in favor green LEDs if possible.

Are LED Lights Bad for Your Eyes?

As we stated earlier, blue light is emitted from LED lights and it can be harmful to your eyes. LEDs emit a high intensity blue light which can cause eye strain, headaches, and even problems with your vision in the long run. The French environmental authority has stated that blue light from LEDs is increasingly disrupting our retinas and biological sleep rhythm. Short-term exposure to high intensity blue light can be damaging to our eyes, so if you're using LED lights be sure to take breaks often and avoid looking at them for extended periods of time. It's also important to make sure that you have good lighting in your work environment.

How To Avoid Getting a Headache from LED Lights

Now that we know that LED lights can cause headaches, what can we do to avoid them?

  • One way is to install a dimmer. This will allow you to adjust the light level and find one that doesn't cause a headache.
  • You can also use LED light covers from Octo Lights. These help reduce blue light exposure and create an even light distribution.
  • Another option is to increase natural light. Open up your curtains or move furniture around to get more sunlight in the room.

If all of these options are not possible, you can try using other light sources such as candles or salt lamps. These emit softer, less intense light that may be easier on your eyes and head.

LED lights are in almost every home and office these days. They're everywhere, even in our schools! We hope you have learned about how LED lights can impact your health including causing headaches. Be sure to check out our full selection of light covers to find the perfect fit for your space today. Transform your lighting with Octo Lights!