Is Blue Light Harmful to Your Eyes?
What’s the deal with blue light?
With the introduction of smartphones and tablets, our exposure to blue light has been increasing significantly. Blue light is a harsh type of radiation emitted from all screens with a backlight, including laptops, TVs, smartphones and tablets. It’s also created by lamps and lights in your house or office. Looking at a computer, phone, or TV screen can be damaging to your eyes since it has been shown to have an effect on circadian rhythms, which can lead to dry eyes, poor sleep, and headaches.
Blue light exposure has also been linked to macular degeneration and cataracts. While there are plenty of ways to shield yourself from these harmful rays, it’s important that you take precaution if you’re concerned about eye damage.
How much blue light exposure are you getting?
The average person is exposed to blue light for six hours a day, according to research from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The National Eye Institute recommends looking away from the screen every 20 minutes for at least 20 seconds to avoid eye strain and other problems.
Tips to protect your eyes from blue light
- Make sure your digital devices are 15 inches away from your face when you use them.
- Invest in blue light blocking glasses
- Take breaks to minimize eye strain and dry eyes.
- Try to limit screen time for children.
It’s important to be aware of the risks of blue light exposure. Although the long-term effects are still being studied, the preliminary evidence suggests too much blue light exposure from digital devices posts adverse risks to eye health. Please contact us if you are experiencing eye problems and would like to speak with one of our doctors.
