wana Ble Ligh Spare od Your Eyes Abaut.com \ son Blue Light Exposure 1s It Really a Concern? ‘Your eve doctor key recommends quay sunulssses* to protect your eyes fom harmfl ultraviolet Hght rays ited by the sun, since ultraviolet ght can contribute tothe development of eyalé cancers, cataracts, pnauaculs? and ptarysiu=®. But what about the blue wavelength of Ight? Ble Ight may cause oxidative damage tothe eyes, and may play an integral olen causing age-related maclar degeneration, which can leas to significant ‘elon las, Snce you're protecting your eyes fromthe harmful etfcts cf ultraviolet baht, shoul you also be protecing them rom alue ight? asics of Blue Light Your ayes are sanstive toa narrow band of frequencies referred to asthe “visible fight spectrum” Visible ight—Vght capable of being seen by the human eyeconsists of wavelengths of varying lengths. 8lue light has avery short wavelength and is datectable by the human eye, Not only doss it provide basic tumination to our wort, blue ght alse heps to increase feetngs of wellbeing. But exposure to large emaunts of ble ight can be harmfuleo the eyes Sources of Blue Light ‘he pletnora of electronic davces In use today, such as cell phones, tablets, and laptop computes, has drastically Increased our exposure to blue lohe, Another source of ive lights energy efficent technology inthe form of fluorescent Ih bubs ad LED lights, Research has determined that the inst nsge the eye, and the pigment in the back of the eye, offer some protection agalnst bie laht. Sut this protective mechanism only sts fora short parid of exposure to the intense blue ight, and during daylight ours. Blue Light and Macular Degeneration Perhaps the biggest threat of bie lights the role plays the development of azote macular daganesatias8, mainly in the formof photo- ‘xation. People witha higher rk or the disease should protect their eyes from blue ight exposure. Some doctors recommend Nalogen fights as an akemative to other types of ignting Recenty 9 company called Eye Solutions has developed a product to help protect us against blue ight—not only outdoors, but also indoors. The lens Is called the Bli-Tech lens and contains a pigment that fters bls Ight without mpacting color perception Ths may be a great option for people with ‘macular degeneration or those at risk for developing the disease. Ik may also be important for people who've had sato/oct suracty. sine® intraocular |nnsas? implanted during cataract surgery may not have as much protection against olueIght. ‘Blue Light and Melatonin Melatonin a sleep hormone in our bodies that helps to regulate our ercadian shythms. Our ayes cantaln receptors tat contain a phetopigment calles melanopsin tet is sensitive tobi ght. These cell give information to our body that regulates our sense of day ane night. Be Ight has been shown by researchers to actualy boost attention and mood during the day, but chronic exposure to ble Ipht at night can give messages to our brain to reduce melatonin secretion, which toll us to wake up and be more alert—potentaly disrupting our ereadian rhythm. What You Should Know About Blue Light ‘Athough blue Ipht has been loesely inked to an increased risk of cancer, dlabates, heart disease, obesity, and disruptions inthe creadan rythm It remains sn important part of naturel and ertfcal lighting. Ask your optometrist or ophthalmology if you're at pertculr rik er eye candiions that may be associated with blue Ight exposure. This usualy ndudes 2 review of your family history and a dat retinal eye exam, ‘hs atways, Keep te following tips in mind or UV eye protection: + Limit extended sun exposure whenever possible, + Wear wide-ormmed hats whl i the su, + Consider a melanin pigmented polarized lens. Although it may cause changes in color perespion, it euts own outdoor Blue light exposure + Reduce blve ight exposure by keeping digital devices cut of the Becroom, + Reduce internet browsing isthe evening o reduce potential blue Ight from your computer screen and potential changes in cecacianehythm, 1. Tolentino, Micael end Gery Morgan. Popular af electronic devices, “greener” Ight bulbs increases bie ght exposure. Primary Care Optometry News, Oct 2012, pp 18-19. 2. Rozanowska, M et al. Blue ightinduoed reactivty of retinal age pigment. In vito generation of exygen-reactve species. Jour of Biological Chemistry, 11 Aug 1995, pp 18825-30. ‘hi Aout com page fas snot fr in. Ta wt 8p Ins angi frm leat it: S/n sha canis VB gh asa (By0t abou com, Teal gs verve. epifuion about crfoa/vorgiseay/ofPmauccia. er ep:/fusion asoutsmjeg/vslorgleroo/Pteraium hw hep:/fvsion about sm/og/eyedeeses/e/Maclr-tepen in tepifunien about cmfog/ntaracsje/cotarac pan nts ep:fvsion about crfog/eyesaeevesandcondeons/qInbwocibr Len hn ‘sion about comlodepors\sionalBlue Light Exposure hinp=1 wn