24/01/2026
Vision is of the utmost importance to us as human beings – and for that very reason, we should take greater care of our eyes today than ever before. In modern everyday life, our eyes are constantly exposed to strains that hardly existed in this intensity in the past: artificial lighting, LED illumination, screens, smartphones, tablets and computer monitors often accompany us from morning until late at night. In particular, the increased proportion of blue light emitted by many light sources plays a crucial role. This issue is often referred to as the “blue light hazard” – meaning a potential strain caused by an above-average amount of blue light, which can affect both our eyes and our natural biorhythm. All the more reason to become aware of the effects of light and to protect our sense of sight in the long term.
Our eyes enable us to recognise the shape and colour of the objects around us by receiving light signals, processing them, and passing them on to the brain. In order to see at all, we need light. Light hits the surface of an object and, depending on the material, is reflected or absorbed to varying degrees. The reflected light enters the eye through the cornea, the pupil and the lens, and is projected onto the retina. There, highly specialised sensory cells are located: rods and cones. While rods are particularly sensitive to brightness and low-light conditions, cones allow us to perceive colours and fine details. These signals are transmitted via the optic nerve to the brain, where they are processed and interpreted. Only then does what we experience as an “image” actually come into being.
The perception of colour, in particular, is a fascinating interplay of physics, biology and interpretation. Colours are not simply “properties” that an object possesses in itself; rather, they arise from the way light is reflected in different wavelengths – and from how our eyes and brain interpret this light information. That is why colours can appear different depending on the light source, the surroundings or the time of day. A piece of clothing that looks warm and vibrant in sunlight may suddenly appear paler under cool artificial light. This shows that colour is not only an external impression, but also the result of internal processing.
Especially in connection with digital devices, it becomes clear how strongly the quality of light influences our vision. Smartphones, tablets and many LED light sources often emit a relatively high proportion of short-wavelength blue light. To our eyes, this light appears very “bright” and stimulating. With prolonged use, it can contribute to faster fatigue, dry eyes, reduced concentration, or an unpleasant feeling of “overstressed” eyes – particularly when we spend many hours looking at screens at close range without taking breaks. In addition, intense blue light in the evening can disrupt the body’s natural production of melatonin, thereby affecting the sleep–wake cycle. Even though not everyone reacts in the same way, many people’s experience shows that our eyes today need conscious relief, regular breaks, and a light environment that is as comfortable as possible.
This makes one thing clear: seeing is not merely a passive process, but a highly active one that requires energy, concentration and adaptability. Our eyes constantly respond to brightness, contrast, flicker, reflections and colour temperatures. Artificial light sources with unfavourable characteristics – such as excessive blue light content, flickering light, or strong contrasts between screen and surroundings – can overwhelm the visual system. For this reason, it is sensible to incorporate simple protective measures into everyday life: taking regular breaks to look into the distance, blinking consciously, ensuring adequate ambient lighting when working on a screen, and – especially in the evening – choosing a warmer, more soothing lighting atmosphere.
The linguistic and cultural meaning of the term “colour” is also interesting. The German word Farbe originates from the Old High German “farawa” and initially did not refer solely to visual brightness or hue, but rather to a general quality, a characteristic, or even the nature of an object. Only later did the term become more closely associated with visible pigmentation – that is, with colourfulness and outward appearance. This shows that “colour” was once understood in a broader sense: not only as a visual impression, but also as an expression of an effect or quality.
Even today, we can still sense this deeper meaning in our language. We speak of a mood being “dark” or “bright”, of people who “shine”, or of situations that feel “colourless”. In doing so, we connect colour not only with the eye, but also with emotion, atmosphere and impact.
In this way, the topic of vision connects the world of sensory perception with the biology of the human body – and at the same time with our thinking, our language and our quality of life. Shape and colour are not merely information; they provide orientation, communication and emotion. For that very reason, it is important to protect our eyes and to choose light more consciously – because good light is not simply “bright enough”, but supports our wellbeing, our concentration, and the long-term health of our eyes.
