Blue Light Concerns: Not Just for Geeks

So everybody's talking about the dangers of blue light - how much exposure are we getting daily, and how does it affect our lives? There was a time in the not-very-distant past when only the techies were staring at computer screens for hours at a time. Now, it's all of us. The number of smartphone users in the US has nearly tripled since 2010, from 62.6 million to 163.9, and is projected to reach 220 million by 2018. (eMarketer) As a matter of fact, "Americans now own four digital devices on average" (EACH!) "and the average US consumer spends 60 hours a week consuming content across devices." (Nielsen)
 
We love our technology, and we're not going to give it up - that much is clear. But this monumental shift in the way we interact with it is probably going to have some unintended consequences. One clear effect is the way that these screens deliver light to our eyes. Blue light, a high-energy light wave, is all around us in the sunlight, and nature has designed our bodies to respond to it. We feel more awake, more energized, when exposed to it. But we are carrying "extra" blue light around with us throughout the day and into the evening hours as well. Small wonder our internal clocks are confused. Health advocates are now telling us that our tech gadgets shouldn't be in the bedroom with us because it disrupts our circadian rhythms and can impact restful sleep.

But it's not just sleep. Eye health professionals now believe that blue light not only causes "eye strain and impair[s] our daily vision, but it can also contribute to Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)," (Dr. Joseph Reitano). AMD is a leading cause of blindness in adults over age 50. There's also some significant scientific evidence linking blue light to other serious health concerns: diabetes, obesity, cancer, and behavioral issues in children.  (Harvard Medical School) The prevalence of blue-light emitting devices, which includes smartphones, tablet computers, LED televisions, computer screens, and even CFL and LED lightbulbs is relatively new. It may take decades before we are fully aware of the long-term implications of this exposure level. Many eye doctors are recommending limiting your digital screen time and using a blue-light filtering lens to protect your eyes from high-energy blue light to help prevent significant, long-term damage to your eyes.

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All Those Great Gadget Gifts - Did You Get the Right Accessories?

'Tis the season - for fabulous gifts, new tech, and... eye fatigue? Check out this list of popular gifts from this just-past holiday season:

• Xbox One
• PS4
• Apple iPhone 6 / 6S
• Kindle Fire
• Apple iPad

According to Gizmodo, 8 of the last 10 holiday buying seasons have featured at least one digital device among top-sellers (often several).  If you received one of these, or other popular digital gifts this year (or if your kids did!), best make sure you have a very important accessory - eye protection! These digital devices (along with our LED televisions, personal computers, tablets, readers, and dozens of other must-have items), emit high volumes of blue light, which has been linked to a stunning array of health issues, and can actually potentially damage vision.

A recent study by the Harvard Medical School has identified these blue light waves as major contributors to significant disruptions in sleep cycles, as well as diabetes, cancer, and obesity. Even more disturbing, researchers are linking disruptions in sleep cycles with the sharp increase in ADHD symptoms. The science indicates that the 7+ hours we spend daily gazing at these blue-light emitters can have a drastic impact on our well-being, and nobody really knows yet what the long-term cost of our digital lives will be. 

No matter which way you look at it, it's clear that protecting our eyes when we use digital devices can have significant benefits to our health. And don't forget the kids - they are exposed to unprecedented amounts of blue light, much earlier than their parents ever were. By the time they are 30, how much time will they have spent looking at smart phones, tablets, and computers?  Give your family a break - make sure you and your kids are wearing blue light filtering glasses whenever you access digital media. Chances are good, you'll be glad you did.

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