Can Screen Time Be
Stealing Your Vision?
PROTECT YOUR EYES FROM BLUE LIGHT
EXPOSURE AND SAVE YOUR SIGHT.
MICHAEL TOLENTINO, MD
In a newly released study from the University of Toledo in Ohio, a research
team led by Dr. Ajit Karunarathne has determined blue light from natural
and artificial light sources can convert retinal—a sight-permitting molecule
found in the retina—into a cell-killing molecule.
DANGERS OF BLUE LIGHT
Exposure to blue light, specifically 445
nm blue light, results in the generation
of poisonous “retinal” molecules
that result in the death of light-sensitive
cells (photoreceptors) located
inside the eye. With prolonged and
cumulative exposure, this will result in
the loss of eyesight.
Drs. Michael Tolentino, MD, and Dana
M Deupree, MD—both of whom are
Ophthalmologists and Vitreoretinal
Surgeons—have been warning about
the danger of blue light for years. Blue
light is not blocked by the lens of the
eye, and due to continued exposure
to blue light, the retina of the eye is
damaged over time, the cumulative
damage from persistent blue light
exposure, results in macular degeneration
and loss of central vision. The
University of Toledo study proves that
blue light directly damages photoreceptors.
Previously the mechanism
was thought to be only indirect damage
through photo-oxidation.
This new research determination
reaffirms the importance of limiting
exposure of the macula to blue light,
especially from artificially-generated
sources like electronic screens (e.g.
computer monitors, tablets, smartphones,
televisions) which we stare
at for prolonged periods. While these
devices emit low levels of blue light,
the power of this light is magnified
by the eye's intraocular lens, with an
effect similar to how sunlight power
is increased using a magnifying glass.
The magnification of the blue light can
be as much as 250,000 times focused
directly at the eye's sensitive macula.
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