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The OTHER
‘blu ray’ that
hurts your eyes!
Visique O’Hagan Vision Care
School Ln, Waihi - 07 8637019
612 Port Rd, Whangamata - 07 8650007
Willoughby St, Paeroa - 07 8628978
186 Whitaker Street, Te Aroha - 07 8848015
WHEN U TXT, UR EYES R EXPOSED
TO BLUE-VIOLET LIGHT
PROTECTYOUREYES FORTHE PEOPLEYOULOVE
BLUE GLOWING SCREENS
CAUSE FOR CONCERN
M
ost of us are wary of the sun’s UV rays that cause obvious sunburn
and may also damage parts of the eye. We slather on UV blocking
sunscreens and order lenses or coatings for our eyeglasses and shades
that have significant ray blocking properties.
Now we find that, according to local optometrist Heather O’Hagan of
Visique O’Hagan Vision Care (pictured below), staying safely indoors
has its own dangers to our eyesight, especially now that so many of us
are glued to our digital devices. “This includes laptops, tablets, TV and
smartphones. Recent figures show that typical multiscreen users in NZ
are clocking up just under seven hours of screen time daily”.
“All of these emit significant amounts of blue-violet light, the highest
energy wavelength of visible light, that can penetrate through the eyes’
natural filters, all the way to the back of the eye.”
The effects of blue light are
believed to be cumulative and
she adds, “This puts children in
particular at risk, given they are
estimated to spend over three
hours a day in front of TVs,
tablets and computers”.
“Because the crystalline lens is
more transparent, their eyes are
less able than adults to filter out
dangerous blue and UV light.”
Heather explains that short term
effects can contribute to “dry
eyes, eye fatigue, headaches,
and difficulty sleeping. Long
term, blue-violet light is a
proven risk factor of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), the
leading cause of blindness in the Western world.”
To help reduce the risk, she suggests limiting screen time, especially
at night “so the rays do not interrupt your sleep patterns.” Researchers
found that the blue rays deplete the body’s naturally produced melatonin,
the chemical needed for a deep and restful night’s sleep. It is suggested
that one not sleep near their phone or tablet as well.
“If you wear glasses,” says Heather, “there are lenses specially designed
to help filter blue light. They keep out virtually all UV and blue-violet
light yet let in the good blue-turquoise light that helps regulate your
sleep cycle and keeps your pupillary reflex healthy.” So check with your
optometrist to ensure your glasses and sunglasses are up to the job.
Other protective measures to forestall Macular Deneneration include:
PROTECT
YOUR
FAMILY...
• Stop smoking. Get regular exercise.
Control weight and blood pressure.
• Diet: include fish, fruits and nuts, leafy
green veggies such as raw spinach.
Reduce refined carbohydrates (high-
glycemic index foods).
• Take multivitamin/multimineral
supplements and enteric coated fish
oil supplements. There are many eye-
specific supplements that are beneficial.
• Have regular eye exams and wear ray
blocking glasses and sunglasses.
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COROMANDEL LIFE 2015 SPRING/HOLIDAY