Blue light from smartphone screens damages the human retina.

Is it true that blue light from smartphone screens damages the human retina?

Partly. Evidence is mixed and partial: some reviews and laboratory studies indicate blue light can photochemically damage retinal tissue, while a 2023 narrative review states there is no evidence that normal screen use or LEDs are retinotoxic to the human retina, with long-term cumulative effects unknown.

Verdict: CONTESTED PARTIAL · 4 sources for, 1 against · Last checked 3 Oct 2026

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

Blue light spectrum. (n.d.). en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_light_spectrum

A, C., BMJ, M., T, A., JM, S., I, A., CCW, K., G, G., AG, L., AM, M., R, S., & C, D. (2023). Blue Light Exposure: Ocular Hazards and Prevention-A Narrative Review.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40123-023-00675-3

Blue Light from Cell Phones Can Cause Chronic Retinal Light Injury: The Evidence from a Clinical Observational Study and a SD Rat Model - PMC Lock. (n.d.). pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/3236892

A, F., J, H., & S, S. (2022). Out of the Shadow: Blue Light Exposure Induces Apoptosis in Müller Cells.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232314540

Renard, G. & Leid, J. (2016). [The dangers of blue light: True story!].. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfo.2016.02.003