Dark Mode on the phone is an option that displays white text on a dark background. This mode is intended to reduce exposure to blue light and reduce eye strain resulting from standing for too long in front of the phone screen.

There is no conclusive evidence to suggest that Dark Mode has these benefits, however below you will find an explanation of what is known and what is not known about this option.

What has blue light got to do with it?

To understand if Dark Mode has any health benefits, we must first consider how blue light affects our eyes. Waves of blue light are emitted by display devices. But blue light comes mainly from the sun, diffuses into the atmosphere, and colors the sky. These waves have more energy than other colors of light and send the signal to the brain that it is day.

People who use the dark mode claim that using it in the hours before bed helps them fall asleep faster and stay asleep for longer periods of time. In theory, this is because screen light disrupts the sleep cycle.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) states that eye strain is caused by the way we use digital devices, not necessarily the blue light that comes from them.

What does research say about Dark Mode?

As we said, these are not final studies, but generally emphasize that:

1. Dark Mode can reduce eye strain: Fans of dark mode claim that this option can increase the amount of contrast between the text they read and the background. This, in theory, would make reading easier. Reading the screen for too long can cause eye strain and dry eyes, so you can give Dark Mode a chance.

2. Dark Mode can reduce exposure to blue light: Exposure to blue light has demonstrated side effects, such as difficulty sleeping and eye strain. Dark mode can reduce exposure to blue light, but you can also achieve these results by lowering the brightness of the screen.

Sources: RxOptical, Healthline