Top Facts about Blue Light and How to Protect Your Eyes
Our doctors and staff are committed to providing you expert care. That’s why we want our patients to understand how to protect their eyes every daily, and help you learn more about blue light and how it affects your eye health.
What is Blue Light?
Our eyes are exposed to various kinds of light every day—sunlight, indoor light, light from electronic devices—all of these affect your eyes in one way or another. Blue light (violet light) has shorter wavelengths but emits the highest amount of energy, and roughly one-third of all visible light is considered high-energy visible (HEV) blue light.
Sunlight emits visible light and invisible ultraviolet (UV) light, but electronic devices also produce blue light that causes eye strain and may lead to eye problems over time. Most people know about the dangers of UV rays—overexposure that can lead to UV radiation, causing sunburns, skin cancer, or even sunburned eyes since UV light has the highest energy. Yet, you may be less aware of the dangers associated with blue light.
What is the Most Common Source of Blue Light?
Blue light is everywhere—the majority comes from being outdoors in natural sunlight. Still, indoor sources are also a significant contributor, including fluorescent and LED light, computers, tablets, smartphones, televisions, and other electronic devices. Although the amount of high energy light emission is much less than sunlight, we use these devices every day, sometimes all day, which can have long-term effects on your eye health.
What Are the Risks of Being Exposed to Blue Light?
Unfortunately, although your eyes are effective at blocking UV rays, they are not very good at blocking other blue light. Blue light can damage the retina’s light-sensitive cells, and this exposure can increase your risk of macular degeneration over time, leading to permanent vision loss. The greatest side effect of blue light exposure from digital devices is eye strain, which can cause fatigue, blurred vision, and headaches, especially if exposed for long periods.
How Can I Protect My Eyes from Blue Light?
If you are using your phone or computer continuously, you can easily reduce blue light exposure by changing your settings (if available) or adding an external blue light screen filter, reducing the amount of blue light emitted from your device without affecting the display. Blue light blocking lenses can also significantly protect your eyes from digital eye strain. Even if you do not need prescription eyeglasses, you can get driving or computer glasses that protect your eyes from both UV sunlight and indoor blue light exposure—it’s unnoticeable to the naked eye, but these yellow-tinted lenses can help increase your comfort when outside and when using your digital devices every day. Blue light protection may be more critical for those with cataracts—you’re considering or have already had cataract surgery. Make sure to discuss the benefits of blue light blocking lenses with your doctor.
Protect Your Eye Health with Country Hills Eye Center
If you are worried about blue light, Country Hills Eye Center is here to help you find the perfect pair of blue-light blocking eyeglasses, computer glasses, and sunglasses. If you have any questions about our eye care or cosmetic services, please contact us today. We look forward to helping you protect your eye health today!
