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Blue Light Risks: Should You Be Limiting Screen Time?
Posted by: South Georgia / North Florida Eye Partners in News
How much time do you or your kids spend in front of a digital screen? We ask this because recent studies* show 60% of people are in front of a digital device for at least 6 hours a day.
Interesting enough, blue light isn’t only produced by digital devices – the sun produces blue light, too! Our bodies actually use this natural blue light to regulate our sleeping patterns, which is known as our circadian rhythm. But, exposing our eyes to excessive artificial blue light tends to disrupt our circadian rhythm which means sleep disruption.
Devices which expose us to harmful artificial blue light include:
- cell phones
- computers
- tablets
- flat-screen televisions
Because these devices are used so much these days and are increasing in popularity, children and adults are gradually being exposed to more and more sources of blue light and for longer periods of time. Our eyes do not have sufficient protection against blue light rays from the sun, let alone the blue light radiating from these devices. Prolonged exposure to blue light could cause retinal damage and contribute to age-related macular degeneration, which can lead to loss of vision.
Other risks of blue light are:
- Digital Eyestrain Syndrome: blurry vision, difficulty focusing, headaches, dry and irritated eyes, and neck and back pain
- Greater risk of cancers
For patients who wear glasses, we can offer a lens coating to help block the harmful blue light; this is applied to your regular glasses and is not visible, similar to a non-glare coating. While lenses cannot be retrofitted, be sure to ask about the coating for blue light at your next eye exam for you or your child! Visit this link to find contact information for your local South Georgia / North Florida Eye Partners location: https://southgeorgiaeye.com/contact-eye-partners/
