What type of light is dangerous for your eyes?
Ultraviolet light is dangerous and its negative effects are well known. It is invisible and cannot be seen. Most sunglasses protect against UV light as this is the commonly feared. While UV light is beneficial to the skin in small doses, where it promotes the production of Vitamin D, in larger doses it can cause cancer among. It also damages the structural integrity of the skin, noticeably damaging the collagen and leads to an increase in what is described as age related damage.
Ultraviolet radiation has been established to cause damage to the lenses and can lead to cataracts and other damaging effects. Both short term exposure to UV light as well as long term exposure can lead to severe damage to the cornea, retina and other parts of the eye.
There is a second type of light which is just as dangerous, however, unlike ultraviolet light, it can be seen. It is blue light that can lead to a specific and very dangerous problem known as Macular degeneration. This occurs when damage to the macula region of the retina causes a drastic loss of central vision. Blue light, and also Violet light, are the highest frequency of the visible spectrum. High levels of exposure to Blue light cause irreparable damage to the human eye.
Unlike other colors on the visible spectrum, the eye cannot handle a significant amounts of blue light and can be overloaded. When the eye becomes overloaded with blue light there is an increased risk for oxidative stress as well as damaging structural effects on the cornea and retina.
Researchers have found that retinal cells exposed to blue light have a higher loss of mitochondrial activity then cells which have been kept in the dark for the same amount of time.
There are ways to prevent this however. Specially tinted glasses can be used. The same yellow tint that is used by hunters, professional drivers and hunters, is capable of preventing the absorption of blue light. The yellow tint absorbs the blue light while allowing other light to pass through. This allows the glasses to be worn without a diminished quality of vision. In fact, many persons who are not concerned about damage to their eyes wear these glasses solely for the purpose of increased clarity and visual perception. They may be worn indoors and in the evening as the amount of light is not diminished, only the color blue.
The actual color of the lenses need not necessarily be yellow. Amber, yellow, and plum are all colors that will prevent blue light from harming your eye. Be sure to look for Blue Blockers, as this is how they are signified.
The other factor to consider, is coverage. Light does not only come into the eye from in front of you. Light can and does enter through the side. Some glasses have thick arms, temple arms, which are designed to prevent light. Others have extended the lens itself. Be sure that whatever style you choose it is capable of preventing light from entering though the side.
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For more information on eye care and macular degeneration visit https://www.opticalusa.com