Most people have heard that prolonged exposure to UV light can create cataracts in eyes over the long term. Eyes also need protection from shorter wavelengths of visible light. The shorter wavelength of visible light emits the wavelength of blue and violet. That lists as the wavelength, not the actual color.
The Eclipse and the Studies
First, know it takes long term exposure to blue light to do damage to the retina. Other by-products of blue light exposure lists as photochemical or photooxidative damage. It means as this light ray wavelength of 380nn to 500nn passes into the eye it creates a series of chemical reactions in the substance of the eye and eye cells that may scar parts of the eye over time. The damage lists as minor but over our long lifetimes accumulate to affect the sight. As early as 1976 blue light damage became noted in Nature 260:153-5, and later in 2004 Tomay et al. Arch Ophthalmology.
During a solar eclipse, the possibilities for eye damage becomes more likely since blue light short wavelength transfers all the way back to the retina and may be more concentrated than during normal sunlight times. On August 21st, 2017 NASA has announced an American full solar eclipse traveling horizontally across this nation. To prepare for the solar eclipse talk to Houston Lasik about their sunglasses or how to view an eclipse safely. In Houston, it will be a partial solar eclipse, making it more important to protect the eyes.
Indoor Blue Light
Modern technology has changed the lights indoors immensely. We view tablets, computers, and phone screens routinely. Each of those screens may emit blue light. Anyone device monitoring does not create an eye problem. Recent studies did find the amount of time we view our device screens increases the possibility of blue light shortwave length damage.
In the right hands and dosage, blue light can also be beneficial to the body. An extremely energetic wavelength, it induces photochemical reaction quickly when it touches tissue. This makes blue light extremely important for visual processing and color perception. It affects the circadian sleep cycle as well.
Conclusion
More research has narrowed which specific blue light wavelengths cause the problem, and fortunately, it is not the whole blue light spectrum. What to do when you have contrasting or contradicting data? See the staff at Houston LASIK. The high level of expertise can determine if laser eye surgery would help or one of the other procedures would. A consultation with one of the doctors can help determine options. The staff can offer as much information as needed to answer questions and clarify needs. No one at Houston Lasik expects a decision right away on surgery or other procedures. They wish you to fully understand the options and the risks of eye treatment and surgery. Approaches to blue light reduction are fairly new since the technology has become ubiquitous. The problem is just being defined. By sharing your story with the staff at Houston Lasik, you contribute to the developing research.
Houston Lasik leads in providing premium LASIK technologies to Houston, Sugar Land, and the surrounding region. The center’s award-winning medical director introduced revolutionary technologies such as iLASIK to the region. This technology is used by NASA astronauts, Navy SEALS and Air Force fighter pilots. At Houston Lasik, you can now receive the same treatment. For more information, please call (281) 240-0478.
Via
https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/uv-protection?sso=y
https://www.aoa.org/Documents/CRG/Blue%20Light%20and%20Eye%20Damage.pdf
https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety
https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/eyewear-viewers
http://www.crizalusa.com/content/dam/crizal/us/en/pdf/blue-light/Blue-Light-Roundtable_White-Paper.pdf
To date four manufacturers have certified that their eclipse glasses and handheld solar viewers meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard for such products: Rainbow Symphony, American Paper Optics, Thousand Oaks Optical, and TSE 17.
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