We are privileged to live in an advanced age at the turn of the 21st century. Electronic devices are everywhere in our world today and make our everyday interactions with the world around us ever easier, safer and more convenient. Although many positive effects have resulted from these devices in our everyday lives, a darker, more dangerous side exists to all of this progress and convenience. Blue light, also known as high energy visible light, is emitted by many of these electronics, and is a serious threat to eye health which was previously unknown and irrelevant in generations past.
Living in such an advanced age, each of us, on average, spends roughly 25 hours every week staring at the screen of one of our electronic devices. To put this in perspective, that means that each of us spend more than one entire day, without sleeping, in front of devices that emit blue light that is proven to do serious damage to our visual system. Eyestrain, headaches and fatigue are common side effects. Even more alarming, recent studies indicate that blue light exposure has the potential to increase risk of macular degeneration significantly over time. Those with a history of macular degeneration are at special risk, as well as children, due to large pupils and shorter arms, which cause them to hold electronic devices closer to their faces, both of which allow more blue light to penetrate the eye.
We primarily use Essilor optical lenses, which are the largest providers of premium optical lenses in the world. There are a handful of ways to have blue light (which can lead to eyestrain and fatigue) filters and protection. There is a lens called “Eyezen” which has a blue light filter
built into it, a long with customizable portion designed specifically to help computer users.
There’s an anti reflective coating known as “Provencia” which has a blue light filter built into it. There’s also a rear surface coating known as “Essential Blue” which filters out the harmful blue light. However, the widest range of blue light protection comes form “transition” lenses. These are the lenses that darken when you go into the sunlight.
There are also several contact lenses that have a blue light filtration and protection. One of those lenses is from Johnson & Johnson and it is called Acute Max. This is a daily disposable contact lens. Another one is called the Total 30. This contact lens is a monthly disposable
contact lens.
Patients who spend hours on electronic devices are at increased risk of eyestrain and glare, macular degeneration or problems falling asleep at night. For more information about blue light and how to protect yourself, contact your eye doctor today.