How Living In A Digital World Impacts Your Vision – Invite Health Podcast, Episode 1
Today, we are living in a digital world where escaping your screen can seem impossible. Here are some concerns you need to know about regarding your vision.
Tag: lutein
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.
Protect Your Eyes from Digital Strain with These Vision Nutrients
Photo by John Schnobrich on Unsplash
Written by Luke Kornblatt
In the age of modern technology, it has become almost impossible to avoid the constant exposure to the screens of electronic devices. Whether it be from a cell phone, a tablet, a computer, or a television, almost everyone deals with some sort of screen observance throughout their daily routines. With the rate that technology is taking over, the already near impossible task of avoiding the usage of electronic device displays will only continue to surge. With this progression comes an increase in the negative side effects that these monitors may have on your health. While the infusion of technology into modern society has resulted in many positive outcomes, such as convenience and an improved quality of life for millions, there is no denying that there are serious unintended consequences that the constant over usage of these devices are ultimately inflicting upon our well-being, with the most concerning side effect being the deterioration of eye health and vision.
Read more about nutrients that protect your vision in “Why Include Lutein, a Vision Nutrient, in a Multivitamin?“>>
The main factor that contributes to the decline in vision health is blue light which can cause a disintegration of the retina with prolonged and avid use of screen time and can ultimately lead to macular degeneration. While lights can emit an array of many different colors that are almost invisible to the naked eye, blue light in particular is a shade of light emitted by electronic monitors during usage and studies have proven it to be a main cause of long term vision problems. If someone were to use electronic screens enough over a period of time, it can lead to irreversible eye diseases, such as macular degeneration, which can lead to significant vision loss for an average person in their 50’s or 60’s due to the loss of photo receptors in the retina.
How to Protect Your Eyes
With the month of August being Children’s Eye Health Awareness month, it is the perfect time to learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones from the potential damage caused by the over indulgence of screen time. Countless studies have been done and researchers has concluded that the nutrients Lutein and Zeaxanthin are two helpful aids that may be used to protect your vision. If taken properly, these nutrients may help decrease the harmful effects of blue light and other harmful rays that your eyes encounter on a regular basis. These minerals may act as built in sunglasses to shield your eyes and help protect your eyesight. Unfortunately, our eyesight is often something we take for granted but is undoubtedly one of the most important sense that we have; This makes it crucial to be aware of how we are effecting our eyes and the measures we can take to prevent this damage.
Sources:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/08/180808093907.htm
Why Include a Vision Nutrient, Lutein, in a Multiple Vitamin?
Written By Karan R Gregg Aggarwala, MS, PhD Karan R Gregg Aggarwala holds a PhD and a Master’s of Science Degree in Vision Science from the State University of New York College of Optometry. He completed a post-doctoral fellowship in nutritional optometry under the guidance …
One Orange A Day for Healthy Vision
Photo by Stephanie Studer on Unsplash It turns out, orange juice is more than just America’s favorite morning beverage! According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers say those who ate at least one orange a day during the study, …
Staring At A Screen All Day? How To Naturally Protect Your Eyes
Your eyes are similar to a camera. Like any camera, if your eye becomes damaged, you do not get a clear picture. Exposed to large amounts of stimulation daily, your eyes are able to efficiently process information at the blink of an eye (pun intended!). But digital screen time, your lifestyle and aging can slow down the eyes efficiency and cause stress.
When light passes into the cornea and lens of the eye and hits the retina, nerve impulses to the brain are triggered. This produces an image in the brain of the local environment – what you see and perceive. Our eyes are simply the most visible part of our brain.
Cell phones, televisions and computer screens emit blue light. Light from our screens can also cause digital eye strain and can affect the body’s circadian rhythm, our natural wake and sleep cycle. Dr. Khurana, MD, spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology explains, “During the day, blue light wakes us up and stimulates us. But too much blue light exposure at night form your phone, tablet, or computer can make it harder to get to sleep.” A Harvard Medical School study found that blue light exposure at night suppressed melatonin production for about twice as long as gren light and shifted circadian rhythms by twice as much.
Here is what you can do to protect your eyes from stress and blue light.
Spend less time looking at a screen!
If you started paying attention to how much of your day is spent looking at your phone, computer or TV screen, you’d probably be surprised at the number. You wake up in the morning and check your phone. You get to work or school and spend all day on your computer. You get home to relax and watch a few hours of TV before checking your phone and heading to bed. It’s important to take breaks – look away from your screen for 2 to 3 minutes every 15 to 20 minutes.
Update your Lifestyle Habits!
Making small changes to your routine can help relieve your eyes from stress. The same way it is important for you to wear sunblock when exposing your skin to the sun is the same way it is important for you to protect your eyes with sunglasses. If you find your eyes are dry and irritated, you may want to look for homeopathic eye drops or even a humidifier. Studies have also shown at least 20 minutes of cardio per day has been shown to support healthy vision.
Important Nutrients for Healthy Vision
Over the last several years there has certainly been a craze over kale and spinach. And there’s good reason why! These leafy greens are powerhouses of nutrition, rich in Omega-3 fats, beta carotene, potassium, magnesium, iron, most of the B vitamins, vitamin C and K1. What is unique to vegetables like kale and spinach are two very special carotenoids (antioxidants) called Lutein and Zeaxanthin. Cooking these veggies increases the bioavailability of Lutein and Zeaxanthin by a remarkable five times! There are few nutrients that are more beneficial for the eyes , but the people who need these carotenoids most (older adults) are the same population who consume them the least. Luckily, a simple supplement means you can reap the benefits of Lutein and Zeaxanthin without transforming your diet.
According to Nicole Crane, BS, NTP, “Lutein and Zeaxanthin are both powerful carotenoids whose job is to act as built-in sunglasses for the eye, if you have enough. They filter out harmful high-energy blue wave lengths of light and generally protect the cells of the eye from damage.”