and why is
it so shady?
Why is Blue Light
dangerous?
quick
facts
blue
light
about Blue Light
It’s everywhere, from
sunlight to digital
display screens.
UV
light
While UV light affects the front of
the eye and forms cataracts, blue
light causes damage to the back of
the eye and increases the risk of
age-related macular degeneration
(AMD).
Digital devices
and modern
lighting—such as
LED lights and
compact
fluorescent lamps
(CFLs)— emit a
high level of blue
light. CFLs contain
about 25% of
harmful blue light
and LEDs contain
about 35% of
harmful blue light.
Your eyes are not very
good at blocking it.
It contributes to digital
eye strain.
35%
LED
25%
cfl
Some exposure to it is
essential for good health.
The sky looks blue
because of it.
10am - 2pm
How to
MACULA
om
macular
pigment
optical
density
screening
90%
LED Lighting
by 2020
UV LIGHT
LENS
CATARACTS
blue light
increase
macular
pigment
density
8-10am & 2-4pm
By 2020, 90% of all
of our light sources
are estimated to be
LED lighting. So,
our exposure to
blue light is
everywhere and
only increasing.
BLUE LIGHT
protect yourself
blue
light
The highest level of UV exposure
is between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in
the summer and from 8-10 a.m.
and 2-4 p.m. in the winter.
It may increase the risk of
macular degeneration and
permanent vision loss.
If you’ve had cataract
surgery, blue light protection
is especially important.
blue
light
MACULAR
DEGENERATION
One way to protect
photoreceptors from blue light
is to increase the density of
macular pigment. The macular
pigment acts as a pair of
internal sunglasses, shielding
photoreceptors from blue light.
Another way is through a Macular
Pigment Optical Density
screening that lets eye care
professionals measure the
macular pigment and serves as
way to know whether you need
any supplementation.3
sources
1
AllAboutVision.com
http://www.allaboutvision.com/cvs/blue-light.htm, Gary Heiting, OD, January 2016
2
Review of Optometry
http://www.reviewofoptometry.com/continuing_education/tabviewtest/lessonid/ 109744/, Mark Dunbar,OD, and Ronald
Melton, OD, February 2014
3
Brandpoint
http://www.brandpointcontent.com/PrintSite/senior-living/2-ways-to-protect-your-vision-from-blue-light,21226, March 2016
seikovision.com/ecp