As a child – and perhaps even as an adult – you might have been afraid of the dark. Yet should we be extra worried of light? We know UV light can be harming to our skin, and also recent studieshave shown that UV light and specific wavelengths of blue light can additionally be dangerous to our eyes – leading to vision loss.

The infographic below highlights the risks and advantages of blue light and also the negative effects of UV light on our eyes. led desk lamp office max spoke to Kirk Smick, O.D., anoptometrist in Morrow, Ga., to find out how harmful light effects our vision and what we can do to protect our eyes.

What do you desire people to know about the dangers of certain wavelengths of light?

Dr. Smick: While light is an essential part of our lives – helping us see, managing our sleep/wake cycles, and also offering us with vitamin D – every person needs to understand that we are likewise exposed to hazardous light that can not just threaten to our skin but additionally affect the lasting health and wellness of our eyes. We require day-to-day defense from the unsafe effects of both noticeable and non-visible wavelengths of light, specifically UV light as well as particular wavelengths of high-energy blue light.

During an eye evaluation, exist indications that expose exposure to UV light?

Dr. Smick: Yes, several people that spend a huge amount of time working outdoors in the sunlight show signs of pterygium, a development of fleshy tissue on the white of the eye that can extend over the cornea and also disrupt vision. One more sign of over-exposure to UV light is the development of cataracts at a level greater than regular for their age.

What advice do you offer patients who are revealed to UV light?

Dr. Smick: Everyone, not matter what age, should protect their eyes daily from UV light. One easy way to protect your eyes is to use glasses with lenses that provide complete UV protection on both the front and back surfaces.

What is blue light and also where does it originate from?

Dr: Smick: Blue light becomes part of the visible light range and is beneficial to our bodies. It helps manage our biological rhythms and likewise contributes in helping our brains with specific functions such as memory as well as cognitive performance. The most significant source of blue light is the sunlight, yet it is additionally emitted from LED light in the digital devices we make use of daily, such as our phones, tables, and computer systems.

Why should we be worried concerning blue light?

Dr. Smick: It’s the high-energy Blue-Violet light that we have to fret about. Recent research studies have shown that this wavelength oflight is a danger factor for retinal damages and age-related macular deterioration (AMD), which causes main vision loss. As cloud light integrate a growing number of LED light into our setting, there is a better need for defense from high-energy source of lights.

During an eye exam, can you inform if a person spends a great deal of time in front of a computer system all day?

Dr. Smick: Often times people’ symptoms of tired eyes and also frustrations at the end of the day are indications of long term computer system usage. People additionally experience red eyes, dryness, difficulty concentrating, and eyestrain.

Exist indications that disclose direct exposure to unsafe blue light?

Dr. Smick: It is difficult to diagnose whether or not a patient has been exposed to a huge quantity of Blue-Violet light, yet we understand that macular modifications can take place second to lipofuscin, brown pigment bits, that arise from direct exposure.

What do you suggest patients do to shield their eyes while resting at a computer system or servicing various other electronic devices?

Dr. Smick: I recommend my people to add a layer of protection to their eyes by putting on lenses that not only reduce glare yet also obstruct damaging blue light. Crizal ï ¿ 1/2 Prevenciaï ¿ 1/2 No-Glare lenses are a good choice as they uniquely obstruct just those wavelengths that are most unsafe as well as continue to let the „great“ wavelengths pass through the lens.