What exactly is it?
Being exposed to blue light is unavoidable especially in this day and age where screens have become an integral part of our lives. With high screen times, it is important to protect our eyes from harmful blue light.
Shield your eyes from blue light
How does it affect the eye?
Human eyes are poor at blocking blue light. Since the cornea and lens are unable to block it, constant exposure damages the light-sensitive cells found in the retina. This could result in issues such as blurred vision or dry eyes, or more serious conditions such as macular degeneration. But don’t worry, here are four simple tips to help you protect your eyes!
Tip #1: Go on a digital detox!
Spend a day or so unplugged and disconnected from your electronic devices. A study conducted by The Straits Times has shown that the average Singaporean spends a whopping 12 hours on their gadgets daily! With the high screen times, taking a break from it will not only improve your mental health, but your eye health as well. Limiting blue light exposure will mitigate the negative effects of prolonged exposure. We understand that it might be tough for most of us to go on a complete digital detox. Hence, we’ve compiled some other tips that will shield your eyes even if you have to face a screen.
Tip #2: Use a blue light filter
If you can’t run from the screen, change it up! Most devices have blue light filters preinstalled. For example, the function is labelled as “Night Shift Mode” on iPhones and “Blue Light Filter” on Samsung phones. They work by adding a yellowish tint to your screen, decreasing the amount of blue light being emitted. Another kind of blue light filter you can consider is a physical one. Also known as computer glasses, they work in the same way as digital filters, using a yellow-tinted lens which filters blue light.
Tip #3: Install warmer lighting
Look up at the ceiling; the lights you see are constantly emitting blue light.If you don’t mind putting in the extra effort, consider switching out the LED light bulbs in your house. Instead of the bright white ones, install yellow-tinted bulbs to reduce the amount of blue light your eyes are exposed to. Although the lighting in your eyes house may seem a little dimmer, your eyes will definitely thank you for it!
Tip #4: Watch your diet
Your diet is important when it comes to keeping your eyes healthy. Nutrients to look out for include omega-3 fatty acids, Zinc, Vitamins C and E, Zeaxanthin and Lutein. Consider taking the BRAND’S® Lutein Essence as a good supplement to your eye health. It contains a 5:1 ratio of Lutein and Zeaxanthin, which is the recommended dietary proportion to benefit vision health according the 2nd Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). These two antioxidant nutrients are found in the eyes and protect the retina by absorbing and filtering out blue light. However, they are not produced by the body and must be consumed through diet, making the BRAND’S® Lutein Essence a great choice to introduce into your diet. For best results, take a bottle a day after meals! Click here to find out more.