Many people can’t last a day without looking at their mobile devices. A recent study conducted by Bank of America, showed that almost half of U.S. consumers rely on their digital devices, usually checking their phones first thing in the morning then using their computer at work.
Dangers of Blue Light
Despite the convenience these electronic devices provide, they emit harmful blue light that can affect our vision in an unwanted way. Blue light poses health threats in that it has the highest energy wavelength of visible light that can even penetrate to the back of the eye.
The effects of exposure to blue light are cumulative. As our exposure to digital devices increases over time, we raise our risk of developing eye diseases such as macular degeneration, which currently affects more than 10 million Americans. We even face the likelihood of permanent eye damage as a result of too much screen time.
Protect Your Eyes from Blue Light
What can we do to reduce the likelihood of developing eye problems associated with exposure to blue light?
Cut Back on Use of Digital Devices
The best solution to protect your eyes from blue light is to limit your screen time but this may not be possible for some people. If you have a hard time avoiding use of computer and mobile phones, at least cut back on using them before going to bed.
Studies have shown that exposure to blue light a few hours before bedtime can have negative impact on sleep as this suppresses the body’s melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep and wakefulness. Avoiding technical devices at night may help you get better sleep.
Special Lenses can Filter out Blue Light
You should also talk with an eye doctor to learn more about lenses that can filter out blue blight. These special lenses can help reduce your direct blue light exposure. Eye doctors claim that their patients who use these lenses experienced an immediate improvement in eye comfort because of the improved contrast that helps the eyes relax.
Parents whose children use digital devices should consider getting these lenses because young people are more susceptible to the harmful effects of blue light. Children who have trouble sleeping at night may benefit from using these special lenses.
Get Help from an Eye Expert
Our staff at See Island Eyecare conduct eye exams that can detect eye problems possibly caused by frequent use of computers and other digital devices. Contact us to set an appointment with one of our eye specialists.