New Study: Blue Light May Accelerate Aging, Even When Not Looking At Your Screen
New research reports that blue light damages cells in the brain as well as retinas.To the researchers surprise, results also showed that light accelerated aging.
Tag: Blue Light
The Importance of Healthy Vision on National Video Games Day
Are you noticing that your eyes are feeling dry, sore or just uncomfortable after staring at your screen all day? We’ve got news for you! The blue light emitted from your devices can be harmful to your eyes.
Could This Digital Detox Facial Undo Damage from Blue Light?
You’ve heard about the impact of blue light on your eyes and brain. But have you heard about what it can do to your skin? There’s a new trend called the Digital Detox Facial that many are trying – but is it worth it? Here’s what we’ve found.
The Impact of Blue Light
Most of us are using a device that emits blue light throughout the day, with studies suggesting that 60% of people spend more than 6 hours a day in front of a digital device.
According to BlueLightExposed.com, blue light waves are among the shortest, highest energy wavelengths, causing flickers that create a glare that have been shown to reduce visual contrast and affect sharpness and clarity. “This flickering and glaring may be one of the reasons for eyestrain, headaches, physical and mental fatigue caused by any hours sitting in front of a computer screen or other electronic device.” LED black-light technology – including TVs, computers, laptops, smart phones and tablets – help enhance screen brightness and clarify, emitting very strong blue light waves.
In an interview with Well&Good, Oculoplastic surgeon, Maryam Zamani, MD, expressed her belief that blue light can contribute to pigmentation, premature aging, and other skin woes.
A new study from the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston has found that the blue light exerted by your phone and tablet may do more than take away precious hours of sleep – it may increase your risk of harmful diseases and conditions. A problem, Charles Czeisler, PhD, MD, and the Chief of the division says is a “looming public health crisis.”
The Trending Digital Detox Facial
Many spas are offering facials that are promoted to undo all of the damage that technology can cause for your complexion, including touch therapy methods that the spas claim can stimulate and loosen the muscles in the jaw, neck, and shoulders.
The facial involves a creamy cleanser followed by a hydrating serum and a rubber mask that sits on the skin for about 20 minutes. Then, technicians press on acupressure points that correspond with facial tension. Rachel Lapidos, writer for Well+Good, tried out the digital detox facial and wrote, “Yes, my complexion looked nice and glowy afterwards, but the biggest perk of all was having someone else massage out the knots in my face that build up from my technology use. Lesson learned: Put your phone down and you skin will be happier.”
So, the best thing to do for a digital detox is putting your phone down for 20 minutes every hour or stepping away from your computer for a break.
What to do
There are a few things you can do to protect your vision against these harmful blue light rays.
- Reduce the glare of your device by reducing its brightness. If you are on the computer for long periods of the day, you may want to invest in a glare reduction filter for your screen.
- Increasing the text size on your devices may help to protect against eye strain.
- Take a break every 20 minutes for your device!
- Limiting your screen time is the most effective.
Natural Support for Eye Health
In our retina, an essential region for crystal clear vision, the concentration of two carotenoids – Lutein and Zeaxanthin (abbreviated L + Z) – are essential for ongoing vision health. They are so important to vision that they are commonly referred to as macular pigments. The macula is a filter that helps protect the eye.†
Healthy, robust macular tissue, rich in L + Z, has key functions, including filtering out blue light and focusing on objects for our sharpest vision (such as in reading a newspaper). If it penetrates deep into our eyes, it damages the many small organs in our retina that are required for vision. Having a thicker macular tissue shields from blue light and this robustness is largely due to its L + Z content.†
Questions about doing a digital detox? Leave a comment below to join the discussion.
Your Phone and Computer’s Blue Light May Be Damaging Your Health
Photo by Oleg Magni on Unsplash Electronic devices like your cell phone, iPad and many other devices do more than just provide endless hours of entertainment and communication. These electronic devices may also be damaging your health – from your skin to your sleeping patterns. …
Three Ways to Get The Sleep You Need
Photo by Awar Jahfar on Unsplash Do you have trouble falling or staying asleep? Or do you find yourself not waking up feeling rested? You’re not alone! A third of US adults report that they usually get less than the seven hours that is recommended. …
The Top 10 Nutrients for Healthy Eyes
Your eyes are similar to a camera, and like a camera, if any part of your eye becomes damaged, you do not get a clear picture. There are many factors that can contribute to unhealthy eyes, including exposure to sunlight, your age, smoking and blue light. Now more than ever, electronic devices like your cell phone and computers emit artificial light that impacts everything from your eye health to your sleeping patterns. The good news is that there are 8 nutrients that provide superior eye health benefits.
Omega-3
Many fish are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids, including salmon, anchovies and tuna, and is also available in supplement form. Published in the journal Contact Lens & Anterior Eye, researchers found that omega-3s alleviated dry eye symptoms, decreased tear evaporation rates and improved dry eyes brought on by computers in the study’s participants after 3 months.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects the cells from the damaging effects of free radicals, including cigarette smoke, air pollution, and UV rays from the sun.Vitamin E is crucial for the health of our nerves and it can help the eyes better communicate with the brain to provide healthy vision. According to the American Optometric Association, Vitamin E has been shown to reduce the profression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataract formation. High levels of Vitamin E can be found in nuts and legumes, including walnuts, cashews and peanuts and in supplement form.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is another powerful antioxidant that protects the cells from free radicals. It also helps us build collagen, the main structural protein in the eye (and the rest of the body). The blood vessels that lead into the eye are so small that they are only one red blood cell thick, so it is important to protect these fragile vessels. Vitamin C protects the capillary beds and ensures a steady supply of nutrients to the eyes. High levels of Vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits including lemons, oranges, grapefruits, and is also available in supplement form.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A plays an essential role in vision. It is a component of a protein called rhodopsin, which helps the retina absorb light. To see the full spectrum of light, your eye needs to produce certain pigments for the cells in your retina to work properly. When you are deficient in Vitamin A, the production of these pigments is stopped, leading to night blindness. Without enough Vitamin A, your eyes cannot product enough moisture to keep them properly lubricated. Carrots have a high amount of Vitamin A in them, or Vitamin A is available through supplementation.
Beta Carotene
Carotenoids are red, orange and yellow pigments found mostly in fruits and vegetables, even if they are green in color – like spinach! Beta Carotene is the most popular and active member of this family. It helps the eye filter and absorb all the colors of the visual spectrum and allows us to see clearly and sharply.
Zinc
Zinc is an essential trace mineral that is highly concentrated in the eye. Impaired vision, such as poor night vision and cloudy cataracts, have been linked to zinc deficiency. According to the American Optometric Association, a study showed that individuals with high risk for AMD could slow the progression of advanced AMD by about 25% and visual acuity loss by 19% by taking 40-80mg/day of zinc, along with certain antioxidants.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin
Two caroteinoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, are antioxidants located in the eye. Green, leafy vegetables, as well as other foods such as eggs, contain these important nutrients. Lutein and Zeaxanthin filter harmful high-energy blue wavelengths of light and help protect and maintain health cells in the eyes. But the human body does not naturally make the lutein and zeaxanthin it needs so eating your vegetables or supplementation is very important and helps to maintain good eye health.
NAC
N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) is a powerful antioxidant that plays a powerful role in protecting the integrity of tissues, especially for the health of the eyes and vision. NAC clears away the waste material that can accumulate in the retina. NAC has also been shown to improve night vision. According to Nicole Crane, BS, NTP, NAC works like a windshield wiper to remove buildup on the lens of the eye, which results in nighttime glare. NAC is one of the most versatile, protective nutrients for the eyes.