Our eyes are designed to process light, but over the course of a lifetime that light damages our eyes. Exposure to all types of light visible and non-visible occurs continuously and has a direct impact on our mind and body. What experts have learned it is impossible to stop the transmission of light but we can filter potentially damaging high-energy visible (HEV) light. The digital age has brought the dangers of HEV light that is emitted from digital devices.
Blue light in a natural form is necessary for many reasons: Full color and photopic-vision, melatonin regulation and body temperature and mood. To better understanding the UV’s the sun emits invisible ultraviolet radiation in the form of UVA, UVB and UVA rays. UVC rays never get past the ozone layer. UVA and UVB do pass the ozone and can cause photo damage to the skin, is the leading acceleration to aging and increase the risk of skin cancers.
The light which enters our eyes from the sun is “white-light”, composed of all the wavelengths that make up the colors. But about 25% of white-light is blue light. UV affects the front of the eye (sclera, cornea, pupil, lens and iris). Blue light affects the retina, choroid, fovea and optic nerve through UVA this is problematic early in life before the lens produces the chemicals need to absorb UVA and UVB.
The waves emit energy, the shorter the wave length, the higher the energy. Blue light has a very short wavelength, which produces a high amount of energy. Over time exposure to the blue light could cause long-term damage to your eyes. We know that digital devices emit higher levels of blue light. We should be aware and manage our exposure to our digital devices not with just the amount of time we are on them but how close we hold them to our eyes. This means we should be protecting our eyes from blue light inside and outside. LED’s has been a great innovation from lighting to computer screens and smartphones. But LED radiation has a big impact on our health just like Blue light. We must allow blue light to provide bodily functions such as: mood, body temperature, heart rates, hormone balance and regulates sleep. We also have to be aware of protecting our eyes from LED and Blue light inside and outside.
There are many different companies that have developed a lens that filters HEV and UV light. This new generation of lenses creates opportunities for the digital age. The new technology is helping reduce symptoms of digital eye strain.
Even though blue light is necessary for your health and well-being it needs to moderated in the right wavelength and amount of time exposed. You have to be award of the visual and non-visual effects of blue light. Come in for yearly eye exam and discuss the type of lenses we carry to protect your eyes from blue light.