Blocking Harmful Blue Light
86% of the average American’s free time is spent looking at a screen
Americans Are Attached To Their Screens
The average adult is spending more time each day looking at a screen than ever:
- 2014: 7.4 hours
- 2015: 9.65 hours
- 2016: 10.65 hours
Kids Can’t Look Away Either
- 76.5% of parents report their kids spend more than 2 hours in front of a screen each day
- 78.3% of parents are concerned about the impact of digital devices on their kid(s)
- But only 29.1% take their kid(s) in for an annual eye exam
According to a study by The Vision Council, more than two hours of screen exposure caused problems like:
- Eye strain
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Dry eyes
1/3 of All Visible Light is Blue Light
Blue light is made up of shorter wavelengths that emit a higher energy levels than other visible light
Sources Of Blue Light
- Screens on electronic devices
- Fluorescent and some LED lighting
- The Sun
Chronic Problems Linked to Overexposure to High Energy Blue Light
- Macular Degeneration - Harmful Blue Light penetrates the macular pigment and harms the retina
- Cataracts - UV light is absorbed by the lens, causing cloudiness
- Pterygium - UV light causes a tissue growth to form on the cornea
Blue Light Can Disrupt Sleep
Our bodies are hardwired to respond to blue light:
- Heightens alertness
- Improves mood and sense of well being
- Boosts reaction times
Exposure to blue light within an hour of going to sleep can interrupt your sleep cycle by making you more alert More than 80% of Americans look at screens within an hour of going to bed
Flickers Create Harmful Glares
- Higher energy light tends to flicker more easily, causing glares
- Glares cause your eyes to fight harder to see
- Suspected cause of many digital eye strain symptoms
From 2000 to 2012 there was a 25% increase in the number of Americans that were 50+ and had late stage macular degeneration— what can we do to protect our vision?
Tips To Preserve Your Vision
Limit Screen Time Early On
- 0 - 18 months: no screens except occasional video chats with loved ones
- 18 months - 2 years: monitored time with quality programming
- 2 years - 5 years: 1 hour max. of quality programming
- 5 years+: spend time on screens according to parental guidance
Helpful Habits
- Use the 20-20-20 rule: Look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. Allows eyes to relax
- Remember to blink frequently. Not blinking enough can cause dry eye. Putting a post-it note on your computer can remind you to blink
- Adjust lighting properly. Overhead lighting causes screen glare
- Make sure the brightness of your screen is adjusted to match the lighting of your surroundings
Fixes
- Anti-Glare Screens and Protectors- Eliminates glare so your eyes don’t work as hard
- Blue Light Filter and Apps Changes the coloring of your screen so that there is less harmful blue light
- Adjust lighting properly. Overhead lighting causes screen glare
- Glasses with Digital Light Protection: Filters out at least 20% of blue light and helps prevent glare
Keep your vision in top condition by protecting your eyes from high energy blue light!
Sources:
http://www.eyezenusa.com/
http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/30/health/americans-screen-time-nielsen/
https://www.thevisioncouncil.org/content/blue-light-exposure-and-digital-eye-strain
https://www.thevisioncouncil.org/content/digital-eye-strain/kids
https://www.wired.com/2017/03/uncertain-science-behind-phones-blue-light-dimmer/
http://www.bluelightexposed.com/#blue-light-and-macular-degeneration
http://www.allaboutvision.com/cvs/irritated.htm
https://www.millwardbrown.com/adreaction/2014/report/Millward-Brown_AdReaction-2014_Global.pdf
https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/American-Academy-of-Pediatrics-Announces-New-Recommendations-for-Childrens-Media-Use.aspx
http://www.statisticbrain.com/corrective-lenses-statistics/
https://www.reviewofoptometry.com/ce/the-lowdown-on-blue-light-good-vs-bad-and-its-connection-to-amd-109744
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Also see: Computer Glasses, Gunnar Prescription Computer Eyewear, Prescription Lens Guide