Occupational Exposure to Blue Light Emitted from Neonatal Phototherapy Devices Alters the Sleep Quality of NICU...

Exposure to blue light, primarily from light-emitting devices like LEDs, has raised concerns regarding its potential health effects. Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses, frequently exposed to both digital screens and blue light from phototherapy devices, face particular risks. This study aimed to investigate the influence of blue light exposure from neonatal phototherapy devices on the sleep quality of NICU nurses, presenting the first examination of this issue. NICU nurses and matched controls were studied, comparing their sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). General health and reaction time were also assessed using standard questionnaires and benchmark software, respectively. The light intensities of active phototherapy devices were recorded. Statistical analysis included an independent t-test, with a P-value of ≤0.05 considered statistically significant. The study found that exposure to blue light from neonatal phototherapy devices adversely affected sleep disturbances and daytime dysfunction in NICU workers. This aligns with research indicating that reducing ambient blue light can improve cognitive performance, alertness, and sleep quality, especially for night shift workers. It also corresponds with studies linking pre-sleep use of light-emitting devices to higher rates of insomnia in various countries. Amber lenses that block blue light have been proposed as a viable solution for sleep issues. This pioneering research underscores the importance of reducing blue light exposure for NICU nurses. Encouraging the use of blue light-blocking glasses is a practical step that can be taken to mitigate the adverse effects of blue light exposure.