The weather is warmer, and the sun is stronger!

For the outdoor worshippers out there, remember that the sun is most damaging to the eyes between 8-10am and 2-4pm due to the position it sits on the horizon. Harmful rays are typically at wavelengths of 480um or lower, but keep in mind that visible blue light wavelength ranges from 490-530. This applies to your computer screens, tablets, phones, etc. Studies have shown that this can affect sleep, mood, and eye fatigue at the end of a long day.

Keeping Your Eyes Safe from Blue Light

Here at First Sight Vision Care, we like to stay up to date with the latest technology to help keep your eyes safe. Be sure to ask your optometrist how to protect your eyes from the UV rays outside, and how to protect your eyes from excessive blue light indoors.

Here are some terms to familiarize with, which your optician should also know:

• Polarized – type of lens that provides 100% UV light protection and improved glare protection. Great for the outdoor athlete, fishers, boaters. Disclaimer: NOT for snow-related sporting or pilots
• Prevencia – type of non-glare coating that blocks 30% of blue light – if you spend computer hours mostly at work during the day, use prevencia so you can still get some blue light exposure, OR use blutech (below) and make sure you get some outdoor light exposure during the day
• Bluetech – type of lens that blocks 100% blue light – if you are a gamer or work a lot at night/after hours, use this!
• Non-Glare Coating – we recommend ALL of our patients get this feature in their lenses, for the mere comfort and visual quality to reduce unnecessary light from entering your eye

 

Remember that this type of light is not bad in its entirety; however, the cumulative effect can add up if you are a patient at high risk (ie, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking or history of smoking, and family history of macular degeneration, light eyes) for macular disease.

Some blue light during the day is actually beneficial for circadian rhythms, but can be harmful when exposed to excessively at night.