Long-Term Effects Of Blue Light
If you use a computer or digital devices on a regular basis, chances are you already know that the blue light emitted by them can be stressful for your eyes. However, if you feel like you're using these devices and your eyes aren't suffering at all, you could be wrong. Here's how.
Surviving the Short-Term
Some people are easily affected by eye strain while using devices that emit high levels of blue light. However, that's not true of everyone.
If you don't typically get eye strain, it could mean that you don't have to worry about this symptom, at least for now. Older people tend to be more likely to develop eye strain, so it could end up being a problem for you later in life. As you age, you may notice that your eyes don't feel as comfortable as they once did when using digital devices.
Risks of the Long-Term
Unfortunately, eye strain isn't the only problem that blue light can cause for you, either now or in the future. With prolonged exposure to blue light, you increase your risk of developing macular degeneration.
This is a serious problem to keep in mind when you use your devices. Macular degeneration is one of the most common forms of vision loss later in life. While you might feel comfortable and safe now, the risk of potential blindness should be enough to make you reconsider.
What to Do
The good news is, you don't have to give up your devices or computers in order to protect your eyes.
There are a few easy ways to protect your eyes. If you need vision correction, one of the best things you can do is to have your eyes protected by your glasses or contacts. Both can either be coated or made of special materials that help to filter out the majority of blue light your eyes are exposed to.
In addition, you can use a blue light filter on your phone to help cut down the amount of blue light that it emits. Many apps exist that can also do this on computers, so you have plenty of options to cut your exposure on a daily basis. However, eyeglasses can provide the protection you need without distorting the color you see, which apps unfortunately do. Consider blue light reduction apps to be a way to get by until you get new glasses or contacts.
Reducing your exposure to blue light now can help you significantly in the future. Give your sight the attention it deserves and protect your eyes starting today. Contact an optometrist if you have more questions.