How to Protect your eyes from Blue Light

It's No secret Screen Time is taking a toll on our eyes. From dryness and strain to long term risks like age related macular degeneration (AMD), the effects of Blue Light are hard to ignore. But there is good news:

Macular carotenoids- Lutein, Zeaxanthin and Mesco-zeaxanthin are natures answer to protecting your vision. This not only effects adults but children as well, think about it when you put a screen in front of your child you could be effecting their sight as they get older.

Lets take a look at how powerful antioxidants:

• Act as natural blue light filters to protect your retina
• Reduce oxidative stress and support overal eye health
• Even promote heart heslth by reducing arterial plaque buildup

Blue light. Its the highest energy part of the visible spectrum, but prolonged exposure to it can damage the retina and contribute to age related macular degeneration or (AMD), a leading cause of blindness.

Oxidative stress is behind the condition, but macular carotenoids are proven to act as antioxidants to neutralize free radicals and protect the retina. Studies show benefits of supplementing with all 3 macular carotenoids, with a standard dosage of 10 m lutein, 2 mg zeaxanthin and 10 mg Meso zeaxanthin.

Recent research also suggests these carotenoids may also protect against heart disease by reducing arterial plaque buildup.

It was to long ago that was noted leading cause of blindness in those over age 65 was age-related macular degeneration or (AMD). As its name suggests, when you get older, the part of the retina in the back of the eye ball called macula begins to break down. So this is nothing new to us here when you get older, your plumbing can start to experience challenges. Your joint ache, your muscles aren't as strong, you get wrinkles, your memory is not as sharp as it used to be. We all get it..so think about it makes sense that something in the eyes will break down, too. Might as well be the macula. You get blurred central vision. The you go blind. WOW ok lets take a closer look now on what we can do for prevention.

 

Science notes the macula does not fully mature until age 13 or perhaps age 15. You need to be aware of your children screen time. Which means as long as the adults in the room don't give their pre-teen children a phone or computer, we'll be fine. But then that’s not going to happen right??

So supplementing with some foods and vitamin supplementation will help your eye health. 

We suggest to look for formulations is to use the 10/2 combo for eye health 10mg Lutein and 2mg Zeaxanthin

 

Zeaxanthin is a natural carotenoid from plants, algae and microorganisms found in foods such as hot chili peppers, corn, orange and red peppers, microalgae and egg yolks.. Zeaxanthin is another critical macular pigment that, like lutein, accumulates in the retina, particularly in the macula. Zeaxanthin has shown to protect the central vision area and similar antioxidant and blue-light filtering functions.

Zeaxanthin has been tied to reducing the risk of cataracts and  AMD progression. Lutein and Zeaxanthin have also been indicated in age-related cataract prevention, especially nuclear cataract in a dose-responce manner.

Meso-Zeaxanthin is less commonly found in the diet, but has been detected in shrimp  carapace, fish skin and turtle fat; additionally it can be synthesized from lutein in the retina.

 The concentration at the center of the macula, meso-zeaxanthin has shown studies that when combined with lutein and zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin are essential for maintaining eye health, protecting against age-related macular degeneration and improving visual function.

So consumers are seeking solutions to digital eye strain and computer vision syndrome. So describes every type of business professional who spends endless hours in front of the computer and online meetings or long hours, teenagers and children who are exposed to constant screen time on their phones and tablets, students who are on their computers and phones and of course the massive market of e-gamers.

Addressing these issues is critical, as we are warned that damage to retinal cells caused by prolonged exposure to blue light may also play a roll in the development of cataracts.

 

WoW that was  a lot of good information hopefully this gives you some Insite of how important now days to keep up on your eye health, for you and your children.

Until next time

Dr Phillip Dietrich