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How Does Blue Light Affect Your Eyes?

1513214817How Does Blue Light Affect Your Eyes

These days, digital devices are becoming more of a necessity than a luxury. While there’s no doubt they have made daily tasks easier, overexposure to your gadgets may harm your eyes.

Mission Vision, your leading provider of LASIK co-management and other premier eye-care services, explains how this particular technology affects your eye health.

Blue Light and Your Eyes

Light is made up of a spectrum of colors that produces radiation of different energy wavelengths and frequencies. You’ll find red rays on one side and blue rays on the other end of the spectrum. While the former has longer wavelengths, they emit less energy. Blue light, on the other hand, has shorter wavelengths and higher energy frequencies. The sun is the largest source of blue light, more commonly referred to as ultraviolet (UV) rays. Other sources include fluorescent lamps, smartphones, computers and other digital devices.

Blue rays easily pass through your cornea and lens. They even reach your retina at the back of your eyes. Studies show that overexposure to blue light may prematurely age your eyes, increasing your risk of developing macular degeneration. Your eye care center also explains that you may experience digital eye strain, the visual discomfort you feel after using your gadgets for too long.

Ways to Protect Your Eyes

We understand that using laptops, smartphones, and other digital devices may be a part of your lifestyle. It may seem impractical and impossible to stop using them altogether. Fortunately, you can take other steps to protect your eyes from blue light’s harmful effects. For one, use eyeglasses that provide blue light protection. At Mission Vision, we have specs specially designed to block blue rays, preventing them from entering your eyes.

You should also remember the 20-20-20 rule. For every 20 minutes you spend in front of your computer or TV screen, look 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Most importantly, have your eyes checked regularly. Underlying vision problems, like refractive errors, may force your eyes to work twice as hard, worsening eye fatigue. We may prescribe contact lenses or other corrective eyewear for your better visual acuity.

For more information about the effects of blue light on your eyes, call us at (210) 315-5559. You may also fill out our contact form to request an appointment. We serve San Antonio and surrounding TX communities.