Today, blue light is everywhere. Before the advent of mobile devices, laptops and cell phones, the majority of people were only exposed to minimal blue light from televisions. However, blue light is pervasive right now. Your eye doctor in Jacksonville, FL wants you to know about the dangers of blue light so that you can adequately protect yourself from this insidious danger. It may be too soon to tell, but overexposure to blue light could possibly raise your chances of developing eye disease later in life.

Unnatural Blue Light

Our bodies and eyes are built to function in the natural world, where they are exposed to a variety of light waves. Different ways for our bodies to react to light are built into our design. Serotonin levels rise, vitamin D production is triggered, and energy production in the mitochondria of our cells is triggered by sunlight.

However, a very small wavelength is monopolized by the cells that respond to light when we stare at blue light, such as when staring at screens all day, and causes them to behave in undesirable ways, such as decreasing melatonin production at night. There is even a correlation between blue light exposure and reduced Vitamin B12 levels. Two strategies to shield your eyes from blue light include:

Use Blue Light Blocking Software

If you do a quick search online, you’ll find an array of free blue light blocking programs that you can download to your laptop or mobile device. iPhones specifically offer the option to activate night mode, which inhibits blue light, under the settings menu.

Enable Dark Mode

When practical, enable the dark mode on your phone and computer. Your screen emits more blue light the more white light and vivid colors are present on it. Dark mode is an option on the majority of computers and gadgets.

One of the best ways to protect your eyesight proactively is to get regular eye exams in Jacksonville, FL. Contact us today to book your appointment.