eye strain Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Study Reveals Nighttime Exposure to Blue Light Causes UNEXPECTED Harm to Your Health

AHA Publisher — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 07:00:45 +0000

Stephanie Woods via NaturalHealth365 – The fact that using your digital devices at bedtime can interfere with your sleep due to blue light emitted by light-emitting diodes (LED) screens is something we’ve known for years. As devices become more prevalent and become a part of everyday life for many, there has been an increase in certain health issues that are often caused by device over-usage. At the core of these problems is the LED screen due to the blue light that they emit. Researchers are now discovering that the health ramifications associated with blue light reach far beyond sleep disturbance. Exposure to blue light can disrupt the secretion pattern of specific hormones, upset the body’s thermoregulation, and disturb circadian rhythm. New evidence, however, shows that it decreases fat oxidation levels during sleep. One study found strong evidence that the type of light exposed to may influence certain physiological changes, including unwanted weight gain. Why Is Blue Light Emitted by Screens So Dangerous? Blue light is a light wave that is part of the light spectrum that the human eye can see – the visible light spectrum. It has the highest energy and shortest wavelength, vibrating in the 380 to the 500-nanometer range. It is most often associated with LED-lit screens for computers, smartphones, and digital devices. However, around a third of all visible light is actually blue light. In fact, the sun is the primary source of blue light. The problem with blue light emissions from device screens is that the eyes are directly exposed for lengthy periods and from close proximity. Exposure to sunlight typically does not have these issues. Most people wear sunglasses, shield their eyes, and limit exposure. But, of course, having the source too close to the eyes is not a problem with the sun. Blue light does have its place, providing some health benefits – but originating from natural sources such as the sun is preferable. However, when it comes from a screen that is mere inches from a person’s face, that can be a problem. From eye strain to weight gain and depression, studies link blue light overexposure to MULTIPLE health conditions The eye is not very efficient when it comes to blocking blue light. As blue light enters the eye, it passes through the lens and cornea to the retina. Retinal cells convert the light and send impulses to the brain that turns light waves into images. Essentially, the eye is wide open to receiving blue light, so it can be too much of a good thing when it is exposed via a device screen that is inches away. Health problems related to continued exposure to blue light (especially via LED screens) include: Eyestrain Damaged retinal cells Eye conditions like macular degeneration Myopia and nearsightedness Disrupted sleep patterns Sleep deprivation Inhibited production of melatonin Blurred vision Headaches Weight gain Decreased fat oxidation Depression (nighttime exposure) Changes in skin cells that speed the aging process Decrease in the hormones leptin and cortisol (stress hormone) Increased blood sugar levels (due to disrupted circadian rhythm) Decreased metabolism Scientists are only now beginning to connect the dots regarding the far reach of overexposure to blue light. It has traditionally been believed that it disrupted sleep patterns, which is true, but researchers now understand that it is only the tip of the iceberg. So how can you protect against the harmful effects of blue light exposure? Here are 5 simple solutions for you to try Anyone who uses a computer, tablet, smartphone, or other digital devices on a regular basis can benefit from decreasing their exposure to blue light. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to give your eyes a break and your health a boost. Shut down devices well before bedtime – Exposure to blue light before going to bed tricks the brain into believing it is daylight. In response, it does not produce melatonin which induces sleep. This can lead to insomnia and disrupted sleep patterns. By shutting down all devices at least two hours before bed, the body has a chance to make adjustments and transition from daytime to bedtime by producing the melatonin the body needs. Blue light glasses – More studies are shedding light on the effectiveness of blue light glasses. In response, more doctors and researchers agree that the glasses do indeed help people reduce their exposure to blue light and get better sleep. 20-20-20 Rule – Every 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Place interesting objects and pictures at different points around the room, 20 feet or more from you, to have something interesting to look at, and you will be more motivated to look longer. Blue light reduction apps – An app like f.lux adjusts a computer’s display color to reduce blue light. It can be set to change automatically at dusk or at a specific time, such as a few hours before bed. Control exposure to screens – Most people have some control over the lighting and glare on their screens. Move the device further away, so it isn’t as close, bring the device to a more posture-friendly height and level, and adjust the light in the room to reduce glare. Blue light filters for devices – Blue light filters for computer screens, tablets, smartphones, and other devices. These filters act as a barrier between the screen and the eye, so the exposure is greatly reduced. Opt for OLED lit screens – Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are a kinder, gentler light source that quietly overtakes LED-lit screens. More televisions, computers, phones, and other devices are beginning to use OLED because it does not produce as much blue light as LED screens. In fact, OLED exposure actually shows better physiological function, including higher metabolism and higher production of melatonin when compared to LED exposure. We all love our devices, but there can come the point where we no longer have our devices, but they have us. Your device is not more important than your health. You can replace a screen or smartphone. You can buy a new computer. Your body and mind are much more precious — and irreplaceable. There are so many options out there to make your screen time safer and more enjoyable. Take some time to find the right one for you. Sources for this article include: Nature.com UCDavis.edu Stanford.edu NIH.gov AAO.org JustGetFlux.com To read the original article click here.

The post Study Reveals Nighttime Exposure to Blue Light Causes UNEXPECTED Harm to Your Health appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

Do Blue Light Glasses Work? Potential Benefits for Sleep & Eye Health

AHA Publisher — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 07:00:57 +0000

Jillian Levy, CHHC via Dr. Axe – Many experts tell us that when it comes to managing our health, including our body weights and moods, we should be careful not to underestimate the power of sleep. One reason why so many adults and children today are thought to be living in a sleep deprived state is because of high exposure to electronic devices that emit blue light. Because blue light is capable of disrupting our circadian rhythms, or “internal clocks,” blue light glasses are now recommended to improve sleep quality and other concerns. What are the benefits of blue light glasses? While more research on the topic is warranted, there’s some evidence that blue light blocking glasses can positively impact your metabolism, focus, appetite control and more. Read on to find out how to choose the best blue light blocking glasses for your needs, plus tips regarding when and how long to wear them. What Are Blue Light Glasses? Blue light glasses are a special type of eyewear that can block or filter blue light that is emitted from digital screens and electronics. If you regularly deal with issues like eye strain, blurry vision, headaches and trouble sleeping — which you believe may be tied to your use of electronics — then wearing blue light filtering glasses can be a worth a shot. What is blue light that glasses block? Blue light is a type of high-energy light that is bright and has a short wavelength. These are wavelengths of light between 420 and 480 nanometers on the visible light spectrum. While it mostly has a bad reputation, blue light also has some benefits, such as making us feel alert and awake. Most of our exposure comes from sunlight, but electronics also contribute to the amount of blue light that reaches our eyes on a daily basis. Electronics that give off blue light include televisions, smartphones, laptops, computer monitors and tablets, which many teens and adults now report spending multiple hours using every single day. How do blue light glasses work? These glasses are most often used at night to help block blue light emitted from LED devices from reaching the eyes. Studies have found that blue light exposure can suppress natural production of the hormone melatonin, which has sleep-inducing effects. Therefore it’s thought that too much exposure at night can keep you up and disturb your natural sleep-wake cycle. Wearing blue light filtering glasses is therefore a way to prevent sleep dysfunction and possibly to protect the eyes in other ways. Do They Work? Potential Benefits Do blue light glasses really work? Opinions regarding their effectiveness and findings from studies conducted thus far have been mixed overall. Research focused on the effects of blue light glasses is largely still underway. One reason it’s difficult to determine how well they work for the majority of people is because their use isn’t tightly regulated, since authorities such as the Food and Drug Administration in the United States do not consider these glasses to be medical devices. The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Association of Optometrists in the U.K currently don’t recommendthe use of blue light glasses for the general public, although they haven’t stated that they are dangerous or should be avoided. Their stance is that there isn’t enough high-quality research showing that they work, plus that symptoms like eye strain and headaches may actually be due to issues like squinting while using electronics and poor posture, not blue light exposure. That said, some experts and many people do report experiencing benefits from blue light blocking glasses. Potential benefits may include: Reduced eyes strain, dry eyes and blurriness Reduced headaches Improved sleep habits and decreased insomnia, especially having an easier time falling asleep Enhanced vision (including less blur) Possibly increased protection against development of certain eye diseases, although this is still being studied — it’s currently thought that blue light from devices do NOT damage the retinas or contribute to long-term vision loss, macular degeneration or glaucoma If blue light filter glasses are capable of helping you sleep better, then there’s reason to believe that their benefits can be far-reaching. Sleep deprivation can make it more likely that you’ll develop a range of serious health issues, such as obesity, depression, high blood pressure, diabetes and others. Therefore getting more sleep can be highly protective and important for improving overall quality of life. What to Look for in Blue Light Blocking Glasses What is the best brand of blue light blocking glasses? It really depends on the filter strength that you require and how severe your symptoms are. In terms of where to buy blue light glasses, you can purchase either prescription or non-prescription blue light glasses from your optometrist, in drug stores, in stores that sell glasses/eyewear or online. If you’re dealing with vision-related problems, such as cataracts, or you’ve recently had eye surgery, it’s best to speak with your optometrist about his/her recommendations, since it may be possible you actually require contacts or glasses in addition to filtering glasses. Filters that block blue light can be added to prescription glasses at a relatively low cost, typically under $100. You can purchase non-prescription blue light glasses for around $30 to $100 as well, although more expensive brands are also available. If you’re concerned about also blocking UV light, look for glasses that have a filter providing 100% protection from UV light. When to Wear Them How do you know if you need blue light glasses? If you regularly use electronic LED devices at night, particularly once the sun is down, you may benefit from trying them. However, if you don’t want to invest in these glasses and are skeptical about their effects, experts suggest simply decreasing your evening screen time and/or setting all of your devices to “night mode,” which helps automatically result in less blue light exposure. Is it OK to wear blue light blocking glasses all the time? This may not be necessary, but it shouldn’t be harmful either. Some people find that wearing the glasses while they work helps their eyes feel better and allows them to work longer more comfortably. If you spent a couple of hours on electronics daily, especially during the daytime when you’d be getting blue light exposure anyway from the sun if you were outdoors, it’s probably not a problem to skip the glasses. Some blue light exposure during the day, particularly from natural sunlight, is even beneficial for regulating your circadian rhythm, so don’t be worried about a normal level of exposure. Overall, the best time to wear blue light glasses is at night, during the hours leading up to bedtime when your body is producing more melatonin. But if your eyes feel less strained when you wear them during the day too, then experts say this is fine to continue doing. Risks and Side Effects Blue light glasses may be capable of taking stress off of your eyes and helping you sleep better at night, but they aren’t the only way to take care of your vision of circadian rhythm. Here are other steps to take if you wish to sleep better and avoid eye strain, headaches and other issues: Get sunlight exposure during the day by going outdoors. Just be careful about too much UV-A and UV-B light reaching your eyes, which may be damaging — therefore consider wearing sunglasses if you spend lots of time in the sun. Avoid alcohol and nicotine, especially close to bedtime. Exercise regularly, which can improve sleep quality. Develop a relaxing nighttime routine that helps you cope with stress and unwind. Ideally this routine shouldn’t involve electronics — instead try reading a book, stretching or taking a warm bath. If you do use electronics at night, switch them to night mode. Keep the temperature in your room low, and wear clothes that don’t make you too hot. Limit the amount of hours you spend on electronics if possible. Invest in a good ergonomic chair to support your posture, and make sure your screens are at the right height so you’re avoiding forward head posture. Ideally have your eyes be about 25 inches from the screen and looking just slightly down. When working on a computer or device, take a break every 20 minutes and look at an object at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Conclusion What is the benefit of blue light blocking glasses? They help filter/block bright blue light that is emitted from electronic devices. Too much blue light can contribute to issues like sleep dysfunction and possibly eye strain and headaches. What are the best blue light glasses? It depends on why you’re wearing them. If you have severe symptoms or are recovering from eye surgery, you may need a prescription and should speak with a doctor. Otherwise you can purchase them at drug stores or online. Research focused on the effects blue light filtering glasses is overall lacking, and opinions differ about whether or not they are necessary. However, some people find they reduce symptoms like eye strain, dry eyes, blurriness, tension headaches and trouble falling asleep — especially among people using electronics for many hours daily and at night. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Axe click here.

The post Do Blue Light Glasses Work? Potential Benefits for Sleep & Eye Health appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

Ditch Your Sunglasses?

The AHA! Team — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 07:00:00 +0000

Al Sears, MD, CNS – Just like your skin, your eyes can be damaged from TOO MUCH sun exposure. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can damage the whites of your eyes, your retina and iris. Too much UV light can lead to sunburned corneas and cataracts. Modern medicine’s fear of the sun has gone way too far. Eye doctors tell you to wear sunglasses whenever you’re outside. They say it protects your eyes and your vision. (Photo by Steinar Engeland on Unsplash) What they don’t take into account is that your eyes need sunshine. You see, the natural light of the sun is what gave our primal ancestors healthy vision. Wearing sunglasses and blocking the light deprives your eyes of vital nutrients like vitamin D. I’ve visited native tribes in remote villages all around the world. And one of the many things you won’t see are sunglasses. But just like our primal ancestors, the tribes have perfect vision. Now don’t get me wrong… Just like your skin, your eyes can be damaged from TOO MUCH sun exposure. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can damage the whites of your eyes, your retina and iris. Too much UV light can lead to sunburned corneas and cataracts. But new research shows the importance of the sun for your eyes. A British study from the University College London revealed that vitamin D3 “the kind you get from sunshine” improves vision and reduces inflammation of the retina. They also found that it may prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the biggest cause of blindness in people older than 50.1 Another study found that people with the most vitamin D had a 59% lower risk of AMD.2 Low vitamin D levels are also linked to dry eye syndrome. This inflammatory condition causes discomfort, stinging, redness and fatigue in your eyes, as well as blurred vision. Studies show that up to 74% of people with low vitamin D levels had dry eyes compared to just 12% for a control group.3 Other research shows that more exposure to bright sunshine slashes your risk of myopia or nearsightedness.4 Blocking light with sunglasses doesn’t just affect your eyes. It impacts your whole body. When the sun’s light enters your eyes, it also goes to your brain’s hypothalamus. Your hypothalamus controls your body’s circadian rhythm, temperature, hunger and thirst. It affects water balance and blood pressure. It also controls your body’s master gland, the pituitary, which secretes many essential hormones. Changes in sunlight also activate your pineal gland. During the day, light from the sun inhibits the production of your sleep hormone melatonin. As dark falls, the pineal gland starts releasing melatonin so you can sleep. Melatonin is also a powerful antioxidant. And it’s responsible for regenerating the rods and cones in your retina for sharp vision. Sunglasses confuse your body about whether it’s day or night. We need the extremes of full light and absolute darkness to be healthy. How to Have Native Eyes I advise my patients to expose their eyes to natural sunlight for at least 20 minutes a day. Here’s how to protect your eyes at other times. 1. Listen to your body. If the sun is strong enough to make you squint, get some shade. Instead of sunglasses, wear a hat with a brim or a visor. Most of the time this is plenty to protect your eyes from direct sun rays. But you still get the benefit of full-spectrum light. 2. Check your medication. Some medications can increase your eyes’ sensitivity to the sun. These include diuretics, tranquilizers, tetracycline and some other antibiotics. 3. When to wear sunglasses. I reserve my sunglasses for high-intensity sun activities like skiing, water sports or high altitudes. Snow and water can magnify the sunlight and increase your risk of damage. I also use them when I’m out in the intense sun for extended hours. But most of the time I don’t wear them. Then, choose the right kind of sunglasses. Look for a pair with “99-100% UV absorption.” Or look for “UV 400.” This means they block all UVA and UVB rays. “Polarized” glasses help reduce glare but they don’t necessarily meet that UV standard. 4. Nourish your eyes. Studies show astaxanthin increases blood flow and antioxidant protection throughout the eye. It has the power to soothe and protect the deepest parts of your eye, including the central retina.5 It also helps relieve dry eyes, double vision and blurring. And it protects the eyes from light damage. In fact, people who take it report being able to see clearer and sharper. Wild-caught sockeye salmon has the most astaxanthin of any food. Red trout, red sea bream, lobster, shrimp, crawfish, crabs, lobster and salmon roe all have it, too. But to get the vision benefits of astaxanthin I recommend supplements. Take at least 10 mg per day Keep in mind that astaxanthin is fat soluble. Take it with a meal or snack containing some healthy fats like butter, coconut oil or eggs. To Your Good Health, Al Sears, MD, CNS References 1. Vivian L, et al. “Vitamin D rejuvenates aging eyes by reducing inflammation, clearing amyloid beta and improving visual function.” Neurobiol Aging. 2012;33(10):2382-2389. 2. Millen AE, et al. CAREDS Study Group. “Vitamin D status and early age-related macular degeneration in postmenopausal women.” Arch Ophthalmol. 2011;129(4):481â€“489. 3. Yildirim P, et al. “Dry eye in vitamin D deficiency: More than an incidental association.” Int J Rheum Dis. 2016;19(1):49-54. 4. Rose KA, et al. “Outdoor activity reduces the prevalence of myopia in children.” Ophthalmology. 2008;115(8):1279â€“1285. 5. Cort A, et al. “Suppressive effect of astaxanthin on retinal injury induced by elevated intraocular pressure.” Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2010;58(1):121-130. To read the original article click here. To read more articles by Al Sears, MD click here.

The post Ditch Your Sunglasses? appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.