Are LED Grow Lights Bad For Your Eyes?
Eric St-Cyr
| 09 mars 2023 | 4 MIN READ
Are LED grow lights bad for your eyes? Many people wonder if these popular lights pose a risk to their eyesight. With the growing popularity of indoor gardening and hydroponics, LED grow lights have become an essential part of many peoples’ lives. But are they safe? In this article, we explore the potential risks of using LED grow lights and explain what you can do to protect yourself. We also share tips on how to reduce eye strain when using them.
What Are LED Grow Lights?
LED grow lights are a type of lighting technology that uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) instead of traditional incandescent lights to produce visible light and ultraviolet (UV) light. These lights are becoming more popular in the horticulture industry due to their energy efficiency, long life, and ability to adjust the light spectrum to meet specific plant growth needs.
How Do LED Grow Lights Affect Your Eyes?
The white light emitted by LED grow lights is generally harmless when viewed directly. However, prolonged exposure can cause eye damage or discomfort. The effects of UV-A light and UV-B light emitted by LED grow lights can be associated with irreversible damage to the human eye, so precautions such as wearing protective eyewear or investing in lower intensity bulbs should always be considered when using this lighting. This will help prevent long-term health problems that could result from excessive exposure.
Type Of Eye Damage Caused By LED Grow Lights
One type of damage that can occur from exposure to LED lighting is retinal damage. This occurs when ultraviolet (UV) radiation enters the eye and its shorter wavelengths penetrate directly into the retina. UV radiation from cell phones, LED lighting, and other sources has been linked to this type of damage.
What Are The Health Risks Of Using LED Grow Lights?
The main risk associated with the use of LED grow lights is vision loss due to overexposure to the ultraviolet radiation emitted by this type of light source. Prolonged exposure can cause damage to the eyesight, including cataracts, macular degeneration and other types of age-related vision problems. In addition, some studies suggest that the blue light emitted by these devices may disrupt our sleep cycles more than cell phone screens or any other type of artificial light sources.
It’s also important to note that all types of LED bulbs have different power outputs, which means they can produce different amounts of heat. This can lead to an increased risk of burns if you don't properly manage the distance between you and the light, especially with high wattage types of LED grow lights. To minimize potential risks, it’s recommended to keep at least two feet away from the LED panel.
Do led grow lights emit UV rays?
Are LED Grow Lights Bad For Your Eyes?
The main concern with LED grow lights is ultraviolet light. Overexposure to UV rays has been linked to macular degeneration, an eye disease that causes blurred or distorted vision, so it makes sense to avoid extreme light exposure. However, when it comes to LED grow lights, research suggests that the blue light emitted by these bulbs poses less of a risk than other types of lighting because the intensity of this type of radiation isn't as high compared to other light sources.
Strategies To Minimize Eye Damage From LED Grow Lights
Here are some strategies that indoor growers should consider in order to minimize any potential damage:
- Wear protective eyewear (protective lenses, UV-blocking sunglasses, etc.)
- Maintain a safe distance from lamps
- Monitor your exposure time
- Reduce light intensity when possible
Can I use normal LED lights to grow plants indoors?
How To Measure The Intensity Of LED Grow Lights
When using LED grow lights, it is important to understand how to measure the intensity of the light. The amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation produced by these fixtures and their effects on your eyes can be easily overlooked. However, high-intensity exposure over long periods of time can have serious consequences.
Here are some tips for measuring LED light intensity:
- Check out the specifications listed with each lamp or bulb you purchase;
- Use protective eyewear when working around the lights;
- If a fixture doesn't come with its own specifications, measure the output yourself with a lux meter;
- Consider investing in dimmable LED fixtures;
- Keep track of cumulative UV exposure throughout the day.
Factors To Consider When Choosing LED Grow Lights
There are several factors to consider when choosing LED grow lights. These include the intensity of the light produced by the fixture, its expected lifespan, and an assessment of the potential risks associated with its use. Additionally, individuals should research the various products available to determine which will best meet their needs without compromising safety or putting their eye health at risk. Before investing in a specific type of grow lighting system, careful consideration must be given to the features needed to ensure optimal results.
What kind of LED light is best to grow herbs?
Shop for LED Grow Lights
When used correctly, LED grow lights provide many benefits such as improved plant health, increased yield production, low operating temperature and cost savings over time. If you're looking for the perfect LED grow lights to help your plants thrive, Canada Grow Supplies has what you need.
We sell a wide selection of indoor and outdoor gardening equipment: