Preserve Your Vision by Limiting Exposure to Blue Wavelength Light

As new technologies continue to saturate our daily lives and people spend more time than ever looking at screens, there is a growing concern in the medical field about how this increasing exposure to light is impacting our long-term eye health – specifically the amount of blue wavelength light emitted by televisions, computers and phones.

When it comes to successfully aging in place, preserving a person’s ability to handle day-to-day tasks like cooking, cleaning and running errands are critical and dependent on a person’s vision and eye health.  To that end, let’s look at what you can do to preserve your vision by limiting exposure to blue wavelength light. 

What is Blue Light?

When you look at a light your eyes see a single color, however, that color you see is a combination of different “rays” of light energy, each with a different wavelength and delivering a different amount of energy.

Blue light has a short wavelength and high energy output, meaning it can have a significant impact on the human eye if overexposed. Specifically, blue light can damage the rods and cones in the human eye, not only impacting the clarity of a person’s vision, but potentially creating blind spots in their vision.

While blue light rays are produced by sunlight and exposure to the sun is probably the lead cause of blue light exposure to most people, screens used on almost all modern devices also produce a significant amount of this light, giving many doctors cause for concern.  Below are 4 ways you can better protect your eyes from overexposure to blue light sources.

1. Vitamins

Your eye has a natural internal “sunglass” made up of macular pigment, which is comprised of two nutrients your body does not naturally produce – zeaxanthin and lutein and is not a common element in most American diets.  Looking into a supplemental vitamin that includes these nutrients is key.

2. Take Breaks from Screen Time

If you spend a lot of time looking at screens (you are looking at one right now,) be sure to rest your eyes at least every 30 minutes. Try looking at an object significantly farther away from you than your screen then close your eyes for a few seconds to give your eyes a quick reset and respite.

3. Build Good Nighttime Habits

Blue light not only actively wears away at your eyes, but inhibits melatonin production, causing less restful sleep. Since your eyes and body as a whole do most of their repair work while you sleep, time spent tossing and turning further limits your ability to preserve eye health. If possible, try to avoid exposure to screens for as long as possible before going to bed.  A half hour break helps, but 1 to 2 hours has a much more significant impact on your ability to rest.

4. Sunglasses and Blue Lens Filters

The sun naturally produces a considerable amount of blue light, so wearing regularly sunglasses outside is key. When choosing a pair, remember that amber, copper and brown lenses are most effective at filtering out blue light.

To counter screen-produced blue light, especially if you spend a lot of time in front of a computer, consider purchasing special blue light filtering glasses, or check your device’s options for an increasingly common blue light filter feature.

SelectCare hopes you found these tips useful and encourage you to share these ideas with outdoor and indoor enthusiasts alike!

To learn more about how SelectCare Home Health Care Services has been helping New Yorkers live happier, healthier lives for more than 30 years, call SelectCare today or request a free in-home care guide.