There are many types of electromagnetic radiation, one of which is visible light. This is the only type of light that our eyes can see on the visible light spectrum. Some of those light waves can damage the eyes over time. Lights from the sun in the form of ultraviolet light rays can burn the skin, the eyes, and damage your vision. Only the proper eyewear can protect against this light. Blue light as well as a silent killer to your vision and light that many patients are unaware of. This light is found in many electronic devices that many patients use each day. Learn about the different lights in the visible light spectrum, what lights to avoid and how you can protect your vision from damage today.
The Visible Light Spectrum
The visible light spectrum can tell you a lot about what it is just in its name: it’s a spectrum of light that we can visibly see. This spectrum is made up of all the colors of the rainbow. On the left, you have red light waves. If we were moving right along a line, you would then have orange light, yellow, green, blue, and then violet, with all of the other colors somewhere in between. The colors we see naturally sit along the visible light spectrum according to how long the wavelengths of energy are.
Red has the longest wavelength, while ultraviolet light has the shortest wavelength. This means that red light doesn’t carry a lot of energy at once, while UV light carries a ton. Sir IsaacNewtondiscovered that objects don’t inherently have color. An object’s surface actually absorbs some light rays, while reflecting others, which is how we perceive color. We see an object’s color based on the lightwaves it reflects. That reflection then tells our brain what color we are interpreting from a certain object. Thecolor whiteis a mixture of all of the colors (or a reflection of all of them), while black is the absorption of all the colors (none are reflected).
Ultraviolet Radiation
Ultraviolet radiationis known as UV light for short. This is the light that comes from the sun and the same light that can burn your skin and your eyes without proper sunscreen and eye protection. Many people know that UV light can damage the skin, but most don’t think about the damage this light could cause to the eyes. There are actually 3 different types of ultraviolet light, known as UV-C, UV-A, and UV-B. UV-A and UV-B are the light waves that affect the skin and eyes. UV-C light thankfully gets absorbed by the ozone layers, so it’s not one you have to worry about.
Each light sits somewhere along the visible light spectrum. Its placement determines it’s the wavelength and its energy. We mentioned that UV light has the shortest wavelength. That means it has the highest energy, which makes it highly damaging to your eyes. Never look directly at the sun or you could do permanent damage to your vision! Always wear sunglasses that block out damaging UV rays. You will know if sunglasses do just that because they will say “100% UV protection” or something similar. Many dollar-store glasses and even over-the-counter sunglasses do not carry this protection. You can find proper sunglasses through an optometrist or your eye doctor. These are the best forms of protective eyewear you can find that can even be custom-made to fit your vision prescription.
Blue Light and Your Eyes
Blue light is next to ultraviolet light on the visible light spectrum and is also a light you want to watch out for. Some patients realize the damage UV light can do to their eyes but have no clue that blue light is damaging their vision on an everyday basis. Blue light rests next to UV light on the visible light spectrum, so it has a high amount of energy as well. We receive some of this light from the sun in healthy doses. That amount of blue light helps to stabilize our circadian rhythm, or what helps the body and mind to be able to sleep at night. Too much blue light can disrupt the sleep cycle or cause a myriad of other problems.
Blue lightcan cause theDigital Eye Strain. This is also known as “Computer Vision Syndrome”. Both define the eye and vision-related conditions that stem from the hours your eyes are focused on a screen, whether that be a computer, tablet, or cell phone. These are some of the most common sources that cause damage to the patient’s eyes. Other sources include laptops, electronic devices, LED and fluorescent lighting, and the sun. Over time, too much blue light can causemacular degeneration. This is a serious eye condition that damages your retina to the point where you eventually go blind. Millions of people in the future are expected to develop macular degeneration because of the high use of electronic devices that use blue light.
Protect Your Eyesight
So what can you do? Thankfully, protecting youreyesightisn’t hard! For UV light, you simply need proper sunglasses, which you can get through your eye doctor. For blue light, you can invest in blue-light glasses (which are computer glasses). These can be found through your eye doctor or online. Protecting your eyesight with both forms of glasses can save your vision in the long run and can prevent many visual problems that so many patients have today. If you want to be fitted for your own protective eyewear, call ourOptical Mastersoffice today at (720) 807-7600!
FAQs
Q: What type of light can be damaging to the eyes? A: Blue or blue-violet light can harm retinal cells and is associated with an increased risk of age-related macular degeneration, potentially leading to vision loss.
How does light affect our eyes? ›
Can Bright Light Damage Your Vision? In short, yes, staring at bright lights can damage your eyes. When the retina's light-sensing cells become over-stimulated from looking at a bright light, they release massive amounts of signaling chemicals, injuring the back of the eye as a result.
How do your eyes respond to differences in lighting? ›
In dim light, your pupil expands to allow more light to enter your eye. In bright light, it contracts. Your pupil can range in diameter from 1/16 inch (1.5 mm) to more than 1/3 inch (8 mm). Light detected by the retina of your eye is converted to nerve impulses that travel down the optic nerve.
What are the three kinds of light which might cause damage to your eyes? ›
Only a very small portion of the electromagnetic spectrum is visible to the human eye as light. There are three types of UV light, based on wavelength range. UVA wavelength is 315 to 400 nanometers. UVB is 280 to 315 nanometers, and UVC is 100 to 280 nanometers.
How do our eyes adjust to different levels of light? ›
The Pupil: The eye in many ways is like a camera. The camera's aperture is the part that expands and contracts to let in more or less light. The pupil works in a similar fashion. It will get very small in bright light to physically block the amount of light reaching the retina and will open wide in the darkness.
How does light affect what we see? ›
In addition to illuminating a space, light transforms the way we perceive the colors around us. Natural light, influenced by the weather, season and position of the sun (and moon), affect the intensity and hues of the subject. Artificial light also alters how we discern color.
How does light affect us? ›
Light is vital to support all forms of life. We need light to see, but we also need light to support other bodily functions. With light we can affect mood, improve sleep and treat depression. Light has a direct alerting effect and can affect productivity, learning and memory consolidation.
What light is the human eye most sensitive to? ›
The correct answer is Yellowish Green. The human eye is most sensitive to yellowish-green colour in the daylight. The sensitivity of the human eye to light of a certain intensity varies strongly over the wavelength range between 380 and 800 nm.
What eye color is the most sensitive to light? ›
Generally speaking, patients with lighter color irises, such as blue or gray, experience more light sensitivity than someone with brown eyes. The density of pigment in light eyes is less than that of a darker colored iris. When light hits a dark-colored iris, the higher density in pigment blocks the light rays.
What color attracts the human eye most? ›
Colors that Grab Attention
As a bold color that stands out, it's easily noticeable, even from a distance. In addition, red has been shown to increase the heart rate and stimulate the brain, making it a powerful aid in attracting attention. Blue is another notable color for catching the eye.
Fluorescent light bulbs tend to emit UV radiation and can cause the most damage to your eyes, more so than blue light produced by LED light bulbs.
What lights are healthiest for eyes? ›
Traditional incandescent bulbs are fine, but many people are looking for a more energy efficient option. Luckily, “warm light” CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lights) are okay for your eyes, as well as being much more efficient. They do emit UV rays, but a much smaller amount. You can also use LED bulbs or halogens.
What is it called when light affects your eyes? ›
Light sensitivity; Vision - light sensitive; Eyes - sensitivity to light. Photophobia is eye discomfort in bright light. The cornea allows light to enter the eye.
How do eyes respond to light? ›
When light hits the retina (a light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye), special cells called photoreceptors turn the light into electrical signals. These electrical signals travel from the retina through the optic nerve to the brain. Then the brain turns the signals into the images you see.
How do you fix eyes at different levels? ›
Possible treatments include:
- Addressing underlying medical conditions. In some cases, treating the underlying medical condition responsible can make asymmetrical eyes seem less noticeable. ...
- Botox. Botox is a nonsurgical option for facial asymmetry. ...
- Brow lift. ...
- Blepharoplasty. ...
- Orbital surgery.
True or False: Eye Color Affects Your Vision. Eye color doesn't significantly affect the sharpness of your vision, but it can affect visual comfort in certain situations. It all comes down to the density of the pigment melanin within your iris, which determines what colors of light are absorbed or reflected.
How does the eye react with light? ›
When light hits the retina (a light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye), special cells called photoreceptors turn the light into electrical signals. These electrical signals travel from the retina through the optic nerve to the brain. Then the brain turns the signals into the images you see.
Does light mode affect your eyes? ›
The dark mode is ideal for reducing eye strain in low-light conditions and conserving battery power. It might also enhance focus and productivity, particularly for late-night workers. On the other hand, the light mode can improve reading comprehension, speed and might even foster creativity.
What are the symptoms of light damage to the eyes? ›
It is caused when the eyes are exposed to too much ultraviolet (UV) light. After a delay of 6 to 12 hours following exposure to arc welding, sun lamps or other sources of UV light, the eyes become red, painful, watery and unduly sensitive to light. The vision may become blurred and the eyelids may be red and swollen.
Is lack of light bad for eyes? ›
Too little or too much light is bad for eyes because insufficient light causes eyestrain and headaches. Too much light, like that of the sun, a powerful lamp or a laser torch can injure the retina.
