In today’s digital age, going one day without looking at an electronic device like your phone or computer may seem impossible–let alone one hour. While these devices have made life easier and more convenient in many ways, they can have a negative impact on your visual health.
Read on as your trusted optometrist from Shady Grove Eye and Vision Care discusses how blue light exposure from digital devices affects your eyes.
What Is Blue Light?
Light consists of electromagnetic rays with varying energy wavelengths and frequencies. On one end of the spectrum is red light, which has long wavelengths and low energy. On the other end is blue light, which has short wavelengths and emits high energy. Blue light is emitted from your computer, smartphone and other gadgets.
How Does Blue Light Exposure Affect Your Health?
Blue light can penetrate deeply into your eyes, even reaching your retina. This can cause visual exhaustion, leading to digital eye strain. In addition, staring at a blue-light emitting screen reduces your eyes’ blinking rate, putting you at risk of developing dry eyes. If you feel any visual discomfort after using your smartphone or computer, visit your optometrist. We will perform an eye exam to check the overall condition of your eyes and provide necessary treatment.
Excessive exposure to blue radiation may also compromise your sleep-wake cycle. This is why you may have problems getting enough sleep at night, depriving your eyes and your body of much-needed rest. You may also be at risk of developing other health problems, such as obesity, depression and cardiovascular illnesses.
How Can You Protect Your Eyes From Blue Light’s Harmful Effects?
Using computer eyeglasses can help safeguard your vision from blue light’s negative effects. These special lenses are engineered to block blue rays, reducing your risk of developing digital eye strain. Making the 20-20-20 rule a habit is also effective: after 20 minutes of work on a digital device, look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Call us today at (301) 859-4060 or complete our form to schedule an appointment and learn more about blue light and your eyes. We serve Alexandria, VA, Rockville, MD, and the surrounding areas.
