Put Your Digital Devices to Bed: Blue Light May Cause Health Issues
According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), a recent survey revealed that 88% of Americans know that digital devices can negatively affect their vision, but the average American still spends 7 or more hours a day looking at their screens. From computer screens to smartphones to television screens, all these digital devices emit blue light. As the leading eye care providers in the San Francisco area, we’ll pass on some tips to help reduce your exposure to blue light.
First, What is Blue Light?
Blue light is a color in the visible light spectrum that can be seen by the human eyes. Blue light has a short wavelength, which means it produces higher amounts of energy.
Why is Blue Light Harmful?
The only source of blue light used to be from the sun. Now we have blue light by the way of digital screens. And digital screens are all around us! Blue light boosts your alertness, elevate your moods, heighten your reaction times and increase your overall feeling of wellbeing. But, you’ve heard the saying, too much of a good thing…can be bad. Studies show that exposure to blue light may cause eye strain, sleeplessness, blurred vision, headaches, plus neck and shoulder pain.
We understand that digital devices are an important part of everyday light, but there are steps you can take to limit it’s impact on your vision.
How to Limit Blue Exposure:
- Power down before bedtime: Try to turn off your digital devices at least on hour before bed. Or at the very least, switch your smartphone to do not disturb mode and put the phone down!
- Use the 20-20-20 Rule: When at work or school, make a conscious effort every day to take a break from the screen. Take a 20-second break, every 20 minutes and focus on something 20 feet away.
- Step Back: Maintain a comfortable working distance from your digital device. Use the zoom feature to see small print and details, rather than bringing the device closer to your eyes.
- Schedule an appointment with us!: Get your eyes checked every year, even if you don’t wear glasses or contacts. It’s important to check the health of your eyes.
This year, challenge yourself by prioritizing your eye health, plus your overall health and well-being, and limit your exposure to blue light. We have the best eye doctors in San Francisco to help you with your annual eye exams, provide vision check-ups and more.
