Saturday, November 28, 2015

When using iPad at night, study suggests orange tinted glasses for better sleep

When using iPad at night, study suggests orange tinted glasses for better sleep


Sleep quality and health can be affected by exposure to different light-emitting devices. Exposure to short-wavelength-enriched (blue-enriched) light in the evening increases alertness and suppresses the production of melatonin, which is only produced during sleeping hours and helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle.
In this study, Gringras et al reveals the spectral profiles of the most popular devices in 2014: the iPad Air, the iPhone 5s, and the Kindle Paperwhite 1st generation. The difference in light signals emitted from a popular game (Angry Birds) and e-book text was also compared. The default brightness levels were used for the iPhone and iPad, and 50% brightness was used for the Kindle based on convenience sampling from users. Irradiance was measured as an exact spectral power distribution (SPD) using a spectrometer. The spectral profiles were similar across all devices, and between Angry Birds and e-book text. The intensity level was higher for the iPad.

ipad at night
Two strategies to reduce the impact of short-wavelength enriched light emissions were tested. First, the blue-blocking, orange-tinted Pyramex Ztek Safety Eyewear was very effective in decreasing the intensity of the short-wavelength/blue light emissions. Second, the Kids Sleep Dr app, which allowed for selection of a “sleep-aware” palate of colors on the device, was also successful in reducing short-wavelength light emissions, but also changed the spectral profile completely.
Gringras P, Middleton B, Skene DJ, Revell VL. Bigger, Brighter, Bluer-Better? Current Light-Emitting Devices – Adverse Sleep Properties and Preventative Strategies. Frontiers in Public Health. 2015;3:233. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2015.00233.

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