Progressive blindness Blue light from smartphones leads to serious eye damage

Why does the blue light of smartphones hurt the eyes?

Smartphones use so-called blue light. Researchers have now discovered that this blue light can damage our eyes. The only question is: how much does the blue light from smartphones harm our eyes??

The researchers from the University of Toledo, Ohio, found in their recent research that the blue light from smartphones is harmful to the eyes. The experts also examined how much the blue light damages our eyes. The physicians published the results of their study in the English-language scientific journal "Scientific Reports".

In today's world, almost every person in Germany has a so-called smartphone. Experts found that the use of these phones significantly harms the eyes. (Image: Ana Blazic Pavlovic / fotolia.com)

How does the blue light from smartphones affect the eyes??

According to the researchers, the blue light from smartphones is absorbed by vital molecules in our retina and triggers the production of a toxic chemical, which then kills the cells. This damage can lead to large blind spots in our vision, which are the hallmark of so-called macular degeneration, a disease that leads to blindness, the experts explain.

Do not use smartphones in the dark

The scientists said that people should not use their smartphones in the dark, because it can dilate the pupils and cause even more harmful blue light to reach our eyes. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in people over the age of 50, according to the National Eye Institute. The condition occurs when the so-called macula is damaged, an oval area near the center of the retina that allows for sharp vision.

What forms of treatment are there?

Those affected will suffer from a blurred vision or even develop blind spots in their central vision, which can increase with the death of the retina, the experts explain. Possible types of treatment include drugs that prevent the formation of new blood vessels in the eye, as well as laser therapies that destroy abnormal blood vessels.

Millions of people are affected by AMD

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, about 9.1 million Americans have early AMD and 2.1 million over age 50 years of late AMD, which represents a stage of severe vision loss. This figure is expected to increase as the proportion of the US population aged 65 or older continues to increase.

Study focused especially on the retina

For the current study, the team decided to focus specifically on the retina and a form of vitamin A that is found in the retina that converts light into metabolic energy. Photoreceptor cells use the retina to convert light into signals, which are then transmitted to the brain, the physicians explain. The human eye reflects very well UV light (for example, from the sun), but it transmits blue light and the retina can absorb this blue light well, says study author Dr. Ajith Karunarathne from the University of Toledo.

Oxygen cells are transformed into toxic molecules

The retina, which absorbs blue light, triggers reactions that convert oxygen cells into a toxic molecule that kills photoreceptor cells. The researchers tested how harmful the retinal cells, which have absorbed blue light, are. When retinal cells were injected into other cells, such as cancer cells and cardiac cells, these cells also died.

Other bright colors did not affect the retina

There was no activity when the retina was exposed to other bright colors like green, red or yellow Karunarathne. The team found a molecule, a vitamin E derivative known as alpha-tocopherol, that can prevent cells from dying off. Once the photoreceptor cells are damaged, however, they will be permanently damaged, so the vitamin E derivative currently only mitigates damage. So we're looking for more molecules to see if they can reverse that damaging reaction, Dr. Karunarathne.

How can I protect myself from blue light??

As we get older, the ability to prevent attacks on the retina becomes weaker and more blue light is absorbed, which can lead to macular degeneration. But there are some ways people can protect themselves. For example, wear sunglasses that can filter both UV and blue light. Use blue light filters on your phone and do not keep smartphones and tablets in the dark. Looking at cell phones in the dark can be very damaging, because the pupils are dilated so that more blue light can penetrate and cause harm, adds Dr. Karunarathne added. (As)