Choosing the Right Sunglasses to Prevent Blue Light Damage

What type of light is dangerous for your eyes?retina.
Ultraviolet light is dangerous and its negativeResearchers have found that retinal cells exposed
effects are well known. It is invisible and cannotto blue light have a higher loss of mitochondrial
be seen. Most sunglasses protect against UV lightactivity then cells which have been kept in the
as this is the commonly feared. While UV light isdark for the same amount of time.
beneficial to the skin in small doses, where itThere are ways to prevent this however.
promotes the production of Vitamin D, in largerSpecially tinted glasses can be used. The same
doses it can cause cancer among. It also damagesyellow tint that is used by hunters, professional
the structural integrity of the skin, noticeablydrivers and hunters, is capable of preventing the
damaging the collagen and leads to an increase inabsorption of blue light. The yellow tint absorbs
what is described as age related damage.the blue light while allowing other light to pass
Ultraviolet radiation has been established to causethrough. This allows the glasses to be worn
damage to the lenses and can lead to cataractswithout a diminished quality of vision. In fact,
and other damaging effects. Both short termmany persons who are not concerned about
exposure to UV light as well as long termdamage to their eyes wear these glasses solely
exposure can lead to severe damage to thefor the purpose of increased clarity and visual
cornea, retina and other parts of the eye.perception. They may be worn indoors and in the
There is a second type of light which is just asevening as the amount of light is not diminished,
dangerous, however, unlike ultraviolet light, it canonly the color blue.
be seen. It is blue light that can lead to a specificThe actual color of the lenses need not
and very dangerous problem known as Macularnecessarily be yellow. Amber, yellow, and plum
degeneration. This occurs when damage to theare all colors that will prevent blue light from
macula region of the retina causes a drastic lossharming your eye. Be sure to look for Blue
of central vision. Blue light, and also Violet light, areBlockers, as this is how they are signified.
the highest frequency of the visible spectrum.The other factor to consider, is coverage. Light
High levels of exposure to Blue light causedoes not only come into the eye from in front of
irreparable damage to the human eye.you. Light can and does enter through the side.
Unlike other colors on the visible spectrum, theSome glasses have thick arms, temple arms,
eye cannot handle a significant amounts of bluewhich are designed to prevent light. Others have
light and can be overloaded. When the eyeextended the lens itself. Be sure that whatever
becomes overloaded with blue light there is anstyle you choose it is capable of preventing light
increased risk for oxidative stress as well asfrom entering though the side.
damaging structural effects on the cornea andMore on eye care.