Are patients aware of the risks that artificial blue light poses to eye health? Technology is a huge part of our lives, and people spend on average 6-8 hours per day looking at a screen. Damaging blue light is emitted from fluorescent lighting, smartphones, laptop screens and TVs, which we are exposed to every day.
Our infographic explores the sources of so called ‘bad blue light’ and how it can increase risk of eye diseases. Blue light penetrates deep into the eye and can increase risk of conditions like AMD and cataracts, as well as causing retina damage and eyestrain.
General health risks include disrupted sleep, caused by reduced melatonin. Increased night-time exposure from screens and lights is linked to depression, obesity and diabetes too.
It is important to educate patients on blue light sources, and advise them to reduce their usage. They should also try to do eye exercises, such as the 20-20-20 rule – looking away every 20 minutes for 20 seconds at something 20 feet away.
View the full infographic below and share with your colleagues and patients, or on Twitter using the hashtag #badbluelight.
