You’ve most probably noticed the phenomenal increase in the number of patients that walk into your office with eye problems. This is definitely not a coincidence; almost everyone now owns not just one digital device but several. Coupled with the constant use of these devices all day and night long, problems like macular degeneration and digital eye strain are bound to crop up. In this article, you will find out how to go about how you can enlighten your patients on how blue light from their devices is causing them these eye problems and how they can avoid them.
Blue light and its potential dangers
Blue light is found in all visible light from the sun and digital devices. It has the shortest wavelength and most energy out of all the visible light rays in the electromagnetic spectrum. The light rays that make up visible light include red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. The wavelengths are longer on the red end of the spectrum with the least energy and as you move towards the violet end of the spectrum, the wavelengths become short and their energy content higher.
The sun emits most of the blue light and it has important roles to play in the human body. Natural blue light is the reason you feel sleepy at night and why you also wake up even without an alarm in the morning. It’s also the reason people are more active and alert during the day.
Artificial blue light is produced by gadgets like smartphones, tablets, laptops, monitors, flat-screen TVs, and fluorescent light bulbs. This kind of blue light is more harmful than the one from the sun because most people constantly use their devices at very close quarters whether it’s for work, school, or entertainment. A lot of people also use digital devices at night which exposes their eyes to more blue light than was ever intended. It not only poses a health risk to their eyes but to their mental and overall physical health as well.
Prolonged exposure to blue light leads to a number of eye problems. One of the most common conditions that occur from the overuse of electronic devices is digital eye strain. It’s a temporary condition that’s characterized by sore, red, teary, or dry eyes, and pains in the back, neck, and shoulders. Blue light may also be linked to the production of reactive oxygen species in the lens epithelial cells’ mitochondria, potentially leading to cataract formation.
Macular degeneration occurs when the cells in the retina break down and it results in blurry vision. Ordinarily, this condition develops with advanced age but blue light can cause it to develop at an earlier age. The retina is very sensitive to blue light so when it’s concentrated on the eyes repeatedly, the cells of the retina begin to break down. That is why macular degeneration is more rampant among people in the modern age who are not necessarily old. With the rapid advancement in technology, this may only get worse.
Moreover, these problems are not just limited to adults but can cause eye problems in children as well. A lot of parents let their children play with gadgets or watch TV to keep them occupied and this can go on for several hours. A child’s vision is still developing so if they are exposed to too much blue light, they may develop eye conditions that they’ll have to deal with for the rest of their lives.
Advising patients on blue light protection
Patients may come to you seeking guidance regarding blue light. Here are some suggestions that you can offer:
Blue Light Filters
Blue light filters can be in the form of screen protectors, glasses, and software applications. Screen protectors can be fitted over smartphones, laptops, and desktop monitors to block partial or all blue light from reaching the eyes. Anti-blue light glasses can be worn to stop blue light from getting to the eyes not just from screens but light bulbs as well. Blue light apps can simply be turned on at night to reduce blue light exposure.
Eye Exercises
Eye exercises are done to relieve the strain and discomfort of eye muscles caused by digital eye strain. They also help in re-establishing focus when vision becomes blurry while looking at devices. Some of the most common eye exercises include eye rolls, palming, blinking, zooming, and the 20-20-20 rule. This rule involves changing your focus every 20 minutes to look at an object roughly 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
As the health of your patient’s eyes is no doubt your top priority, it is important to consider educating them on how they can protect their eyes from blue light.
Dhruvin Patel, MCOptom is a qualified optometrist and the creator of Ocushield. With the help of a team of clinicians, he has researched and developed Ocushield products whilst at City University, London. Ocushield products have served over 50,000 customers—that’s over 100,000 healthier, happier, better-sleeping eyes.