Let’s talk about blue light. As we spend more time on digital devices, we are exposed to blue light more than we ever have been before. You may have heard news reports about digital eye strain or your ophthalmologist may have even cautioned you to check your exposure. If you have questions about blue light, we are here to help.
- What is blue light? We all remember learning in elementary school that there is a spectrum of color for sunlight. If you aim a beam of light through a prism of glass, you’ll see the white light divide into all the colors of the rainbow. Blue light is a natural part
of the sun’s light. It has the shortest wavelengths and the most energy. It is also artificially produced by digital devices like computer screens, tablets, phones and other electronics. - How does blue light affect your eyes? Your eyes are naturally good at filtering light. Less than one percent of UV radiation makes it the cornea of your eye, but blue light is a different story. This wavelength can penetrate to the retina at the back of the eye. Research has shown that too much blue light can damage your retinas and cause other eye conditions like macular degeneration.
- Can you get too much blue light exposure? We don’t know how much blue light exposure is too much. Studies have shown that blue light does contribute to digital eye strain. It causes that annoying feeling you get after a long day of work at the computer when your eyes are itchy, sore and generally worn out. Blue light reduces contrast, which makes it harder for your eyes to focus, and causes this strain.
- How can you protect your eyes? Watch how often you are using electronics (especially in the evening hours when exposure can throw off your circadian rhythm), and how close you hold your devices to your face. If you spend a great deal of time with digital tools, talk to your eye doctor about blue light glasses. These glasses have a special anti-reflective coating that helps reduce glare from digital devices.
Blue light isn’t bad for you, in the right amounts. If you are ready to take charge of your eye health, talk to your eye doctor about managing your blue light exposure. You can start simply by taking a break from screens a few minutes every hour, limiting your electronic use in the evening and spending more time outdoors. All of these tips are great ways to start taking care of your eyes from our digitally overloaded world. If you need more help, come and see us!