Exposure to high-energy blue light and ultraviolet light is an everyday occurrence. For the most part, people perceive light as a positive thing. Even art and stories portray reinforce this. However, you need to understand the potential dangers of the light you expose yourself to every day.

 

The two parts of your body susceptible to light damage are the eyes and skin. The types of light that are most dangerous and prevalent are blue light and ultraviolet light. You might be wondering whether sunglasses that block UV rays from the sun also protect your eyes from blue light from various digital devices.

 

Blue Light

If you are reading this post, you are almost certainly staring at a digital screen right now. Many digital devices such as televisions, computers, and cell phones emit blue light. On the color spectrum, this type of light can cause headaches and interrupt your sleep-wake cycle.

 

Of course, blue light from your digital screens is not as dangerous as UV light from the sun. However, it is still important to invest in a good pair of blue-light-blocking glasses to protect your eyes against the long-term consequences of this type of light. Many people swear to the positive impact of such glasses based on personal experience.

 

Understanding Blue Light

The colors that make up sunlight include blue, red, yellow, orange, violet, green, and indigo. When you combine these colors, you end up with the white light you see. Blue rays have more energy and shorter wavelengths. The light that appears white, therefore, can have a significant blue component.

 

Long-term Effects of Blue Light

The largest source of blue light is sunlight. However, there are many other sources, such as digital screens, LED light, compact fluorescent light bulbs, and fluorescent light. Blue light passes through your eye’s cornea and lens before reaching your retina. In addition to affecting your vision, this light could prematurely age your eyes. It could also lead to retinal damage and digital eyestrain.

 

UV Light

UV light is on the invisible light spectrum, which means you cannot see it with your naked eyes. Consisting of short wavelengths of light, this type of light releases significantly more energy than other types of light, damaging your eyes.

 

One of the consequences of UV exposure to the eyes is photokeratitis, which is like sunburn to your eyes’ corneas. This painful condition, fortunately, is temporary. But long-term exposure to even small amounts of ultraviolet rays can increase your risks of developing complications such as macular degeneration or cataracts.

 

Over time, UV exposure tends to add up, leading to tissue elevations on your eye’s surface. Using sunglasses when outdoors may limit these risks.

 

Bottom Line

Wearing blue-light glasses while using a digital device can shield your eyes from the long-term consequences of blue light. To mitigate the damage caused by UV light, use UV-protective sunglasses while outdoors, even on a cloudy day. If you are fashion conscious, you will find a wide range of designer eyewear that provides UV and/or blue light protection.


 

For more information on the long-term consequences of poor eye protection, visit Wear Eyewear at our offices in Chicago or Orland Park, Illinois. You can also call (312) 626-0036 or (708) 349-9327 today to schedule an appointment.