One of the first things you’ll notice about LEDs is their brightness. In fact, that brightness is one of the products’ defining qualities. Super bright, long-lasting, and energy efficient are the hallmarks of an LED bulb. LEDs are so bright in fact that there’s been some question as to whether or not they are safe for our eyes. We’re here to separate fact from fiction and myth from reality, but we can tell you right now that as long as you aren’t shining a LED right into your eye for hours upon hours every day, they’re safe.

BrightCoolLight

The Concerns

The biggest concerns about LEDs and eye damage evolve around the brightness of the lights, UV exposure, and the blue light emitted.

Brightness: There’s no question that LEDs are bright, but that’s not a bad thing. The trouble comes in when the wrong light or a too-bright light is used where it shouldn’t be. You must match the light to the intended use or you’ll cause eye strain. Use LED labelling to gauge how bright a light will be. The Correlated Colour Temperature is a good indicator if the light will be more warm or yellow in colour or a cooler blue or white. The Luminous Flux will tell you how much light the bulb puts out. Higher values equal more light.

UV Exposure: It’s true that some ultraviolet and infrared LEDs exist, but they are not available for consumer use. The LEDs that are available for commercial and residential use produce UV light that is well below any threshold that could be a problem and they emit even less because that UV light is converted to white light by the phosphors in the lamp. One simple testament to the safety of LEDs from a UV standpoint is the fact that museums now routinely use LEDs to light their pieces and collections. UV light is known to fade colours and damage fabrics over time so the fact that museums are confident in the safety of LEDs should make you feel better about using them in your own home. LEDs will actually do much less damage to carpeting, draperies and window coverings, and painted surfaces than other types of bulbs.

Blue Light: Blue light LEDs appear bright white or even blue to the eye, which can cause eye strain to those with light sensitivity. It’s not dangerous, but if these colours are irritating to you, stick to the warmer coloured LEDs, which are rated with a Kelvin or K value of under 3000. LEDs are routinely tested for photobiological safety, especially as the technology changes and advances.

Get Answers To Your LED Concerns From The Experts

If you still have questions or concerns about LED lights and using them in your business or home, contact the experts at LEDified. We are Australia’s #1 full service LED lighting specialist, providing on-site assessments of lighting needs by certified electricians who then recommend and install appropriate solutions. Learn more about LED lights at www.ledified.com.au.