Optometry Patients Warned to Protect Against Blue Light Radiation

Eye care specialists have warned optometry patients against blue light radiation and its effects on eye health.

Blue light radiation is produced by digital devices such as televisions, computers, smart phones and tablets. Eye care centers are currently stressing that excessive exposure to blue light radiation can affect user’s vision.

Currently, optometrists have become extremely concerned with amount of blue light radiation contact people have. Studies have shown exposure to blue light causes eye strain that can create other eye health problems including headaches.

Signs of overexposure to blue light include:


Temporary blurry vision
Dry eyes
Runny eyes
Headaches


Who is most at risk?

Eye care centers have found that children are the most at risk to blue light radiation. With the advancement of technology in televisions, computers, smart phones and tablets, children are using these items more than ever before. Specialist believe that due to the exposure of blue light to children, there could be an increased amount of eye health problems in the future.



How can blue light radiation risks be reduced?

There are measure that can be taken to reduce the exposure of blue light. One of the main remedies is to use protective eyewear. These speciality lenses will diminish the amount of blue light exposure users have during periods of television, computer, smart phone or tablet usage. The lenses are coated with a special blue-light filter, which will protect the wear’s vision. These can be extremely important for office workers or students that use computers frequently during the day.

It is also recommended by optometry experts to take breaks every 20 minutes when using digital devices. This will allow the eyes to reset. Eye care specialist advise users to practice the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes users should stop digital device use and stare at an object a minimum of 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This will help the eyes to reset and limit the negative effects of blue light radiation on eye health.



What else can be done to reduce blue light radiation?

There are other ways to reduce blue light radiation, and help preserve eye health. Some of the more simple ways to reduce the effects blue light are to adjust the brightness levels of digital devices, clean computer or tablet screens, dim surrounding lights, increase text size and blink more often to lubricate the eyes.

With a few simple modifications, digital device users can minimise the effects of blue light radiation on their eyes. These alterations will keep them out of the eye care center and lessen future eye health problems.