THE HIDDEN DANGERS LURKING IN YOUR SCREEN DEVICE
EVERYBODY knows that the way to avoid UV damage is through slip, slop, slapping and staying safe in the sunshine.
But many people don’t know the hidden dangers lurking in their television, tablet and phone screens.
Bupa Optical Smithfield optometrist Anthony Hannan said blue light was as risky as UV light.
“UV is the invisible part of the light spectrum and UV A and B are the types of UV that affect us,” he said.
“Twenty-five years ago we first put UV lenses in glasses, because exposure can cause eyelid cancers and cataracts.
“But blue light is also harmful to the back of the eye and to general health.”
He said blue-violet light was the type of light that made phone screens bright but it was also detrimental to health.
“It affects our circadian rhythms,” he said.
“We’re being bombarded with blue light from our screens, from everything from 4kHD televisions, tablets and smartphones.
“Overexposure to high-energy blue light and subsequent lack of melatonin disrupts the circadian rhythm, increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, obesity, prostate and breast cancer.”
He said, despite the problems associated with blue-violet light wavelengths between 415-455 nanometres, not all blue lights were harmful.
“Blue-turquoise light is important to regulate sleep patterns, so there are good types of blue light,” he said.
“The blue-turquoise band is necessary for proper pupil constriction, regulates circadian rhythm, boost alertness, helps memory and elevates mood.”
Mr Hannan said parents of young children should consider giving them glasses for screen time.
“There are a variety of tints that are available to block out those high-frequency lights,” he said.
“To protect any eyes you need lenses that have both blue and UV guards.
“But because young kids spend far more time with screens than outdoors, I think having blue guard protection for them is especially important.
“They haven’t developed guard pigments in their eyes that adults have.”
YOUNG KIDS SPEND FAR MORE TIME WITH SCREENS THAN OUTDOORS ... HAVING BLUE GUARD PROTECTION FOR THEM IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT
ANTHONY HANNAN