On average, we spend almost nine hours a day in front of digital devices. Do you know that this, in combination with the proximity of these devices to your face, can be harmful to your eyes?
Approximately one-third of all visible light is considered as high-energy visible (HEV) or “blue” light. Sunlight is the main source of blue light – being outdoors during daylight is where we generally get most of our exposure to it. But there are also many man-made, indoor sources of blue light, including fluorescent and LED lighting, as well as flat screen televisions. Most notably, the display screens of computers, electronic notebooks, smartphones and other digital devices emit significant amounts of blue light.
The eye is not very good at blocking blue light, which may increase the risk of macular degeneration and contributes to digital eyestrain and dry eyes. Fortunately, you can alter this by, for example, switching on the blue light filter on your phone or laptop, or getting a screen for your laptop. The best advice would probably be to limit your screen time, but that may not be the most realistic suggestion. However, simply being aware of the effects of blue light may help you to take better care of your eyes.
