09/03/2021
Does "Blue Light" really affect my child's vision? YES! Read below from the American Optometric Association. Questions or does your child need their yearly eye exam? Call us today to schedule your appointment. We accept most major insurances! 509-624-5277
BLUE LIGHT IMPACT IN CHILDREN
Blue light can cause retinal damage
Visible light passes through the media of the eye to
the retina where photoreceptors transform it into an
electrochemical signal. Humans depend on this
process for image-formation and regulation of daily
sleep-wake cycles. Commonly encountered light
emitted by the sun and personal electronic devices
contain significant amounts of high-energy, short-
wavelength blue light. Ultraviolet (UV) light contains more energy than blue
light, but is absorbed by the cornea and crystalline
lens, limiting retinal exposure. Visible blue light may potentially be harmful to the
human retina, as it can be absorbed by the retinal
pigment epithelium (RPE) and certain
photoreceptors, generating localized oxidative and
thermal stress. Laboratory studies on rodent and
primate models have demonstrated that extended
time periods of direct retinal exposure to bright blue
light accelerate rates of RPE and photoreceptor
death.
Is outdoor blue light exposure dangerous for
children’s eyes?
Researchers have hypothesized that sunlight
exposure is a risk factor for the development of age-
related macular degeneration (AMD). Large-scale
epidemiological studies investigating this association
in adult subjects have produced mixed results, with
some supporting the hypothesis and others
disagreeing. Children may be at higher risk for blue light retinal
damage than adults. The juvenile lens absorbs less
short-wavelength light than the adult lens, allowing
more blue light to reach a child’s retina. Although
one epidemiological study suggests that life-long
sunlight exposure is not a risk factor for the
development of AMD, the long term consequences
of blue light exposure in children are not well
understood. The benefits of limiting sunlight exposure with UV-
filtering sun spectacles are well established. These
devices reduce the eye’s UV and visible blue light
exposure, slowing the development of cataract,
eyelid cancer, pterygium and soft drusen, a risk
factor for the development of exudative AMD. Thus, clinicians and parents should act with caution
when managing children’s outdoor sunlight
exposure. Specifically, all children should possess
ocular sun protection in the form of dark sun
spectacles that filter UV light. Any potential safety
benefits of blue-blocking antireflective coatings are
not well elucidated; therefore, these products are not
an adequate replacement for sun spectacles.
Is computer-generated blue light exposure
dangerous for children’s eyes?
Although the light emitted by personal electronic
devices is not bright enough to damage the human
retina, it is able to stimulate blue-light-sensitive
ganglion cell photoreceptors that regulate circadian
rhythms. As a result, cellular telephone, tablet and
personal computer use before bedtime can delay
sleep onset, degrade sleep quality and impair
alertness the following day. Extended use of these
devices has also been shown to cause symptoms of
dry eyes, blurred vision and headaches.
Limitation of personal electronic device use before
bedtime is recommended to be the most effective
method for reducing light-induced sleep disruption in
children. The use of amber-tinted spectacle lenses
during the use of electronic devices immediately
before bedtime has shown promise as a strategy to
reduce their altering effects, but such filters require
more investigation before this practice can be
advocated. Any potential benefits to sleep quality of
blue-blocking anti-reflective coatings have not been
investigated.
