The Dangers of Blue Light

Last Updated on August 15, 2020 by Ellen Christian

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We all understand the dangers of being exposed to the sun for too long but have you heard about the dangers of blue light?  As a VSP Ambassador, I was sent the below infographic and asked to share the dangers of blue light with you. I’ll admit that I wasn’t familiar with blue light until now.

The Dangers of Blue Light

The Dangers of Blue Light

So just what is blue light? Blue light is just what it sounds like—it’s blue and it’s light. But it’s a high-energy wavelength and actually penetrates all the way to the back of the eye. Over time this can cause damage. We’ve always been exposed to blue light from the sun—that’s why the sky is blue—but it would fade at night. Today it is radiated by everyday objects like fluorescent/CFL/LED light bulbs and the screens of computers, tablets, smartphones and televisions.

I mean, really think about it.  If you’re anything like me, you are exposed to blue light all the time from your computer screen, television, iPhone, the lights we use, etc.  I’m always exposed to some sort of blue light from the time I wake up and read my emails to the time I go to bed & check my iPhone for last minute messages. Even the kids are exposed to it with handheld game units, smartphones, iPads, etc.

With an increasing number of blue light sources in our daily lives; an aging baby boomer population; and a growing number of children learning on digital devices, preventing blue light exposure has become a priority to help reduce the risk of eye conditions like macular degeneration.

Thankfully, there is something that you can do to protect your eyes. UNITY lenses with blue light protection filter harmful, high-energy blue light but allow innocuous blue light to pass through. This allows for optimum protection without compromising color or depth perceptions. The lenses also block UVA and UVB radiation. The lens filters across the entire blue spectrum from 400-500nm with more protection commensurate with potential damage. Essentially, more protection toward 400nm because the most damage occurs at that end of the wavelength. The lenses also help filter the specific wavelengths that impact the sleep/wake cycle.

Sunglasses do not block blue light. However, UNITY lenses with outdoor blue light protection blocks harmful blue light as well as UVA/UVB radiation. The outdoor version looks like a typical sunglass. Who would need this lens?

  • Children under 18 because they don’t have the ocular lens pigments adults have
  • Post cataract patients
  • Patients who use computers or digital devices throughout the day
  • Patients at risk for AMD

Fore more information, click on the infographic.

The dangers of blue light

68 thoughts on “The Dangers of Blue Light”

  1. I’ve read just blurbs about this and should have paid more attention, especially for kids. These graphics are important to note and surprising. Thanks!

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  2. I have never heard of this concern but have always been a big fan of limiting our kids exposure to digital devices. Interesting reading.

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  3. I feel horrible that I had no clue what blue light was. I have ultra-sensitive eyes and wonder if it is a sensitivity to blue light? Wow, something to think about

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  4. There is so great information here. Thank you for sharing Ellen. With the increase in tech toys we will definitely start to see new health issues start to arise.

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  5. Oh wow that is scary considering I spend hours and hours on my computer daily! I do notice a huge change in my eyes over the last year, wonder if that is why. 

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  6. I get computer vision syndrome if I’m on my laptop for too long. If I’m on my desktop, it’s ok. I wonder if that has anything to do with blue light. Yikes!

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  7. Wow, this is actually very scary!! Makes me want to get rid of my children’s tablets!! I have such a love/hate technology relationship. Sometimes I feel like it does more harm than good. 

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  8. Great article… soo informative, especially since I had never really looked into Blue Light; I had heard the term before but not really what it will and can do… Great post, thanks for sharing

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  9. Thanks for sharing Ellen, I had no idea about this! Learn something new everyday!! It is important to spread the word! 

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  10. I’ve never heard of blue light before. Thanks so much for sharing as I spend way too much time in front of my computer.

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  11. I have heard about this. I think we will keep finding things about our technological generation that will be scary! 

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  12. I seem to live on line and I know my daughters are social in fact their jobs require it. I am definitely going to prevent injury to our eyes. I did not even know that existed but makes perfect sense. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Sharing.

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  13. HI,   just stopped by to let you know you’ve been featured today over at Carole’s Chatter. Cheers

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  14. I learn something new everyday. I had no idea about this! I’m constantly in the line of blue light too. Huh! Thanks for sharing!

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  15. yikes, i’ve never really heard of this before. i’m going to share this info though, seems like a disservice not to. 

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  16. Wow, this is great information. I hadn’t really heard to much about this, but it’s a lot to think about! Thanks for keeping us informed!

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  17. Until I read this, I didn’t know blue light existed. I’m on the computer a lot, and I use my phone fairly often, so I’ll have to get a pair of these.

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  18. I’ve never heard of blued light before. I’m in front of my computer and using my phone all day long, so I’ll be looking into these glasses.

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  19. I had never heard of blue light before this either! But it totally makes sense! We are a generation of techies. So obviously we need the protection from it. 

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  20. I have never even heard of blue light before! Ugh, always something new to worry about protecting myself against. Thank you for the helpful info!

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  21. I definitley limit the amount of time my kids spend on their tablets, but now I will limit them even more.

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