How Could Blue Light Be Affecting Your Child’s Vision?
Exposure to blue light is inevitable for all of us, especially with the increased use of digital devices. With the amount of screen time our children consume each day, blue light could be affecting your child’s vision, too.
Here are some facts about blue light and tips on how to protect your child’s eyes from it.
What is blue light?
According to one of For Eyes’ Independent Doctors of Optometry, Dr. Billy Thompson, blue light is found in the visible light spectrum, with a wavelength of 400 to 490 nanometers. Often referred to as a high-energy visible light (HEV), natural blue light is located in sunlight and is instrumental to your sleep.
Artificial blue light can be found in digital devices, such as smartphones, tablets, computers and televisions. We need to take precautions to ensure that all of the exposure to blue light because of digital screens does not adversely affect their eyesight.
What are the effects of blue light on your child’s vision?
Many of the studies done on blue light show that using digital devices before bed can lead to sleep problems such as insomnia. However, blue light also affects a child’s eyesight by causing these symptoms:
- Blurry vision
- Digital eye strain
- Eye pain
- Eye fatigue
Increased exposure to blue light can also lead to more serious issues, such as vision loss due to early age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
How can you protect your child’s eyes from blue light?
There are many ways to protect your child’s eyes from the adverse effects of blue light. To start, you can reduce their screen time and exposure to digital devices.
A survey by the American Optometric Association states that parents often underestimate how often their children use electronic devices. For instance, technology is now widely used in schools, so consider this when setting your child’s screen time limits at home.
Additionally, blue-light glasses can help to safeguard your child’s eyes from increased exposure to blue light and prevent the rays from entering the retina. For Eyes offers blue-light glasses specifically designed for kids, and these are a viable option to consider when trying to protect your child’s eyes from blue light.
Another option is to look for apps that reduce the blue light by using a timer. Many smartphones feature this app. However, it can also be installed on your child’s computer or tablet.
Summary: How could blue light be affecting your child’s vision?
Blue light can cause a variety of symptoms, so it’s important to understand how to protect your child’s eyesight.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Blue light can be found in various digital devices.
- Children are exposed to blue light every day, via technology in the classroom and their daily lives.
- Good ways to combat the effects of blue light include limiting the amount of screen time your child gets and setting them up with blue-light glasses. You can also look for applications that dim the blue light in your child’s devices after a specific time.
Although blue light is all around us, it doesn’t have to affect your child’s eyesight adversely. The key to protecting their vision is to be aware and take precautions.
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