The Effects of Blue Light On Your Eyes
Monday, January 13th, 2020
There are conflicting reports about the effects of blue light on your eyes. Some studies claim potential damage to the retina by overexposure, while still others insist there’s no effect at all. Since so many of us spend a great deal of time exposed to blue light screens in the workplace, it’s become a significant issue for workplace eye health.
Blue Light & Potential Hazards
It’s important to note that the largest source of blue light comes from our largest light source: the sun! We’re exposed to blue light on a daily basis. We know that light is composed of an entire spectrum of color, as evidenced by the rainbow. The red light being slower and dimmer while the blue light is brighter and moves more quickly. Our technological screens, like TVs, computers, smartphones, and tablets emit a much smaller source of blue light than the sun. So why is there so much concern surrounding blue light and our vision?
We spend an exorbitant amount of time with our eyes glued to some type of blue light screen. In fact, over the last thirty years, nearsightedness has seen a dramatic increase of over sixty percent! This could be due to the correlating time frame of increased computer usage. The ultimate concern is that so much time staring at blue light may have some very negative effects on our eyes. Some symptoms reported by those with excessive screen use include:
- Dry eyes
- headache
- blurry vision
- eye twitching
- sore, tired eyes
The popularity of blue light glasses has led many to believe they are experiencing relief from these symptoms. While still, other professionals say it’s only a placebo effect. They hold to the fact that there is no real evidence of any negative affect from blue light, but that symptoms are merely from the way technology is used.
Tips for reducing digital eye strain symptoms:
If you find yourself suffering from any of the previously mentioned symptoms, try some of the following solutions.
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule, giving your eyes a break every 20 minutes for a minimum of 20 seconds to scan the room 20 feet away. This gives your eyes a chance to focus on objects further away from the screen and gives relief from the light of the screen.
- Sit at arm’s length (25 inches) from your screen.
- Blink often. We tend to blink less when staring at a computer screen which can make your eyes dry or tired.
- Adjust the settings on your screen. Adjusting the contrast levels of your screen can make staring at your screen easier on your eyes.
- Purchase a matte filter to place over your screens to reduce glare.
- Simply reduce the amount of time spent looking at a screen.
Further study is needed to determine any concrete evidence of blue light leading to retinal damage. But if blue light glasses and other aids seem to provide some relief to your symptoms, there is no harm in using them. They have only yet to be proven medically necessary.
To ensure good eye health, get your eyes checked regularly by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. After age 65 it is recommended that your eyes are examined every 1-2 years in order to catch any early signs of disease. Visit our Wellness Calendar for more information and resources regarding eye health.
Other Eye Health Wellness Articles:
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Sunday, December 29th, 2019
What is Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?
Age-related Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in Americans aged 50 and over. The macula is located at the back of the retina and controls our central and color vision. Vision impairment from AMD occurs in one of two ways. In dry AMD, protein called drusin gather under the macula and begin to deteriorate the retinal support system. Once the structural support system of the retina has been broken down, it moves into wet AMD. The breaking down of that support allows abnormal blood vessels to grow and potentially leak into the retina, causing a loss of central vision.
Symptoms and Risk Factors of AMD
There are no real symptoms for age-related macular degeneration or low vision until the condition has progressed. Only an examination by your eye doctor can reveal indications before they become a problem. That is why it is so imperative that you get regular eye exams. After the age of 60, schedule exams for every year or as recommended by your doctor. Once the problem is identified, there are measures to take to slow or repair the damage to your vision.
Once you have AMD, you may see a dark spot in the middle of your vision. Lines or outlines of objects will also appear distorted or blurred. Colors may also appear different or faded.
Risk factors include but are not limited to:
- Genetics
- History of smoking
- Being female
- UV Light
- Age (50+)
AMD Treatment Options
The best treatment is always preventative measures. Scheduling regular eye exams will enable your doctor to recognize any issues before they progress. Catching AMD in the early stages leads to treatment by vitamin supplementation. Vitamins C, E, Beta Carotene, Zinc Oxide and Cupric Oxide have been shown to decrease the progression of Macular Degeneration when taken in the early stages.
If you are a smoker and show signs of AMD, the first step is to quit smoking. Then use caution when treating with vitamins since too much beta carotene in smokers has proven to increase the risk for lung cancer.
A healthy diet full of leafy green vegetables is also recommended for treatment.
The treatment for advanced stages of AMD is rapidly developing. There are various treatments that can be recommended by your doctor that focus on slowing the growth of blood vessels. These efforts can put a halt on any additional vision loss.
For additional information and resources on treatments and risk factors, visit our National Wellness Calendar. We’ll observe Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month this February 2020.
