You’ve probably heard it on the news: blue light may contribute to macular degeneration. But what exactly is this medical condition?
Macular Degeneration is the number one cause of vision loss. It affects more than 10 million Americans – more than both glaucoma and cataracts combined.
Currently, Macular Degeneration is incurable.
It is caused by a deterioration in the central part of the retina, which is the inside back layer of your eye that allows us to record images we see and then sends to them our optic nerve from the eye directly to the brain so it can process them.
The macula is also responsible for our ability to drive a car, read, see objects in fine detail and recognize faces or colors.
Much like a camera, the macula is a sensitive area that collects highly detailed images, which are then processed by the brain. When the macula starts to deteriorate, the images fail to process correctly.
As deterioration continues, people may experience blurred or wavy vision and if it continues, the entire central vision field may be lost. People that suffer from advanced macular degeneration are considered legally blind.
The causes of macular degeneration are not entirely understood or known. Age-related reasons are a combination of both hereditary and environmental influences, such as overexposure to blue light.
Scientists are working hard to better understand this disease, especially as Baby Boomers age. Without further advancement, it is estimated that by 2050, nearly 22 million Americans will suffer from macular degeneration.
While the disease is most likely to occur in people over the age of 55, prevention to help minimize environmental exposure is crucial in children’s and young adult’s early years.
To help minimize exposure, invest in BluTech Lenses, which help to block potentially harmful blue light from entering the eyes.
Find BluTech Near You
