Blue light is not a new phenomenon, but we are, in recent years, realizing the potential threat it could cause after long term exposure to man-made sources of blue light. What is it you ask and how dangerous is it anyway? We are here to explain! 

Blue light, is one of the visible rays of light that are part of the electromagnetic spectrum. It has a very short wavelength, because of this it produces a higher amount of energy.

It can be found in sunlight as well as the handheld electronics we use daily, computers and televisions. Most of us, in this day and age, are exposed to an excess of it. 

It’s Not All Bad

There are some perks to blue light, it doesn’t need to be avoided altogether. It is known to be beneficial during daylight hours to help boost alertness, attention, mood, and reaction time. It can also be linked to helping memory and elevating your mood.

The concern is that long term exposure to blue light over time can eventually cause some serious eye issues. Some signs you are looking at too much blue light is if you have:

Eyestrain

Difficulty focusing 

Frequent headaches

Physical fatigue

Mental fatigue

Trouble sleeping

Or blurry vision 

Long Term Effects of Blue Light

It is also suspected to increase the risk of macular degeneration which could lead to vision loss in extreme cases.

Since the invention of the television, we have been increasing our exposure to this light year after year. From work to play, we are usually looking at a screen for a significant amount of time. Since we care so much about your eyes here at TriCounty Eye Associates, we want to be sure you have the right equipment. 

What Can You Do?

You can fight the long term effects of over exposure a couple of different ways. The first is pretty obvious…limit your time staring at electronics. While some electronics can’t be avoided like your work computer, others can have time limits set like your cell phone, tablet, or televisions. For the ones you HAVE to look at we recommend utilizing the 20/20/20 rule. The rule is, every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds, this will help keep your eyes from straining. 

Another way to help protect your eyes from necessary exposure is to wear glasses that have special lenses that help block the harmful light from coming through. We can add this feature to any prescription glasses, and we can offer you just strictly blue light blocking glasses if you do not need a prescription and just want to protect your eyes.

Make sure your kiddos have all the supplies they need.

This school year is going to look very different for everyone. With the different options and trying to keep everyone safe and up to date with the newest health info. Some kids will be in the classroom setting and some will be e-learning from home. We simply want to remind you to make sure your kiddos have all the supplies they need, including glasses!

Schedule annual eye exams.

Kids should start getting their eyes examined as early as 6 months old. The easiest way for parents to keep track is to schedule the exams yearly around the beginning of the school year. Yearly exams are important to keep up with kids possible changing eyesight and make sure they are well equipped and ready to learn. 

Signs your child may need glasses.

Did you know, that approximately 44% of parents are not aware that some behavior problems could be a product of poor eyesight? If you aren’t sure that your child needs to get glasses here are some good indicators are:

• Frequent headaches 
• Short attention span 
• Avoiding reading and other close activities 
• Frequent eye rubbing 
• Tilting the head to one side

If you notice any of these signs it could be because they are having trouble seeing and need glasses or contacts. But, even if there are no apparent signs, it is still a good idea to get an exam yearly to be proactive about possible issues down the road. Eyesight is imperative to the learning process. 

School exams vs. licensed Optometrist

Some schools offer the yearly exams to help identify issues, but there are some important differences between the exams done at school and an exam done by a licensed optometrist. An optometrist checks more than just your child’s vision. Our local stores offer special customized services to help you and your child find the right pair of glasses. 

We also offer blue-light blocking glasses. This is especially important for the kids choosing to learn from home on their computers and tablets. Blue light blocking glasses can help prevent long term issues that could arise later. 

Contact us today!

Call either location today to schedule your child’s yearly eye exam and get them the glasses or contacts they need for the school year. It will be here before you know it!