Most of us know to protect our skin from the sun, but did you know that high energy blue light can also negatively affect your eyes? High energy blue light is part of the visible spectrum of light. Silent blue light bombards our eyes daily. Repeated exposure to artificial blue light can lead to breakdown of ocular structure and function. Sources include electronic devices such as TVs, cell-phones, tablets, computers, and indoor lighting using compact fluorescent or LED light sources. LED car headlights emit blue light.

High-energy blue light reaches deep into the eye and can harm the macula – the central region of the retina responsible for the highest sharpness and visual acuity. Short term effects can cause eye fatigue, while long-term exposure can lead to a progressive loss of visual function.

Retinal damage is the most important hazard from blue light. The three types of retinal damage are structural, thermal, and photochemical. The type of damage depends on the wavelength, power level of the light and the exposure time.

Take this quick survey:

The higher your score, the greater the effects harmful blue light can have on your eyes.

How many hours each day do you spend on a computer/laptop/tablet/smartphone/or watching TV?
0-3 hours
4-7 hours
8-10 hours

How many hours per day do you spend indoors under artificial lighting?
0-3 hours
4-7 hours
8-10 hours

How many hours each day do you spend engaging in recreational activities outdoors?
0-3 hours
4-7 hours
8-10 hours

How many hours a day do you spend driving, both day and night?
0-3 hours
4-7 hours
8-10 hours

What Can You Do?

Get your eyes checked regularly by a qualified health care professional. Try to reduce your exposure to artificial blue light whenever possible. Reading a book under an incandescent bulb is much better than watching several hours of TV or playing video games. Some cell phones have a night-mode which gives an orange tint to the screen. These can help reduce blue light exposure and may make it easier to sleep at night. Taking a high-quality fish oil along with specific antioxidants and plant extracts have been shown to protect ocular tissues from damage and oxidation. Eye care professionals regularly recommend these nutrients to patients concerned about eye health.

CLICK HERE to view products we recommend to our patients for additional eye protection:

https://www.iprogressivemed.com/store/?swoof=1&product_cat=eye-health-vision

Additional Pages on Eye Health:

https://www.iprogressivemed.com/antioxidants-for-cataracts/

https://www.iprogressivemed.com/green-tea-protection-for-the-eyes/

For more information or to make an appointment, please call us at (949) 600-5100