Nowadays, digital devices are an integral part of our daily lives, with many people spending a significant portion of the day staring at one screen or another. While this technology has improved our lives in many ways, there are some downsides. Digital devices produce blue lights, and overexposure to blue light can harm your eyes. Your eye doctor from Park Slope Eye explains further:
The Effects of Blue Light
Light is composed of a spectrum of colors that produce radiation of different frequencies and wavelengths. Red rays are on one end and blue rays are on the other end. Red light has longer wavelengths and emits less energy, while blue light has shorter wavelengths and higher energy frequencies. The sun is the largest source of blue light, but other sources include fluorescent lamps, smartphones, computers and other digital devices.
Blue light rays easily pass through your cornea and lens, reaching your retina. This is a problem because overexposure to blue light can prematurely age your eyes and even increase your risk of developing macular degeneration. Blue light may also cause you to experience digital eye strain. As an expert in eye health and contact lenses, we recommend taking steps to protect your eyes.
Ways to Protect Your Eyes
It’s nearly impossible to avoid exposing your eyes to blue light because so many devices emit it. Consider investing in eyeglasses that provide blue light protection to safeguard your vision. You should also follow the 20-20-20 rule. For every 20 minutes you spend in front of a screen, look at an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Finally, have your eyes checked regularly. An eye doctor can spot and treat underlying visual problems, even if there are no visible symptoms yet.
We can provide vision therapy and a wide range of other eye care services to our patients. We also focus on patient education, so we’ll take the time to answer all your questions and concerns during your visit. For more information about the effects of blue light on your eyes, call us at (347) 380-7070. We serve patients in Brooklyn, NY, and nearby areas.
