TY - JOUR
T1 - Blue Light Exposure: Ocular Hazards and Prevention-A Narrative Review
AU - Cougnard-Gregoire, Audrey
AU - Merle, Bénédicte M. J.
AU - Aslam, Tariq
AU - Seddon, Johanna M.
AU - Aknin, Isabelle
AU - Klaver, Caroline C. W.
AU - Garhöfer, Gerhard
AU - Layana, Alfredo Garcia
AU - Minnella, Angelo Maria
AU - Silva, Rufino
AU - Delcourt, Cécile
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - IntroductionExposure to blue light has seriously increased in our environment since the arrival of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and, in recent years, the proliferation of digital devices rich in blue light. This raises some questions about its potential deleterious effects on eye health. The aim of this narrative review is to provide an update on the ocular effects of blue light and to discuss the efficiency of methods of protection and prevention against potential blue light-induced ocular injury.MethodsThe search of relevant English articles was conducted in PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar databases until December 2022.ResultsBlue light exposure provokes photochemical reactions in most eye tissues, in particular the cornea, the lens, and the retina. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that certain exposures to blue light (depending on the wavelength or intensity) can cause temporary or permanent damage to some structures of the eye, especially the retina. However, currently, there is no evidence that screen use and LEDs in normal use are deleterious to the human retina. Regarding protection, there is currently no evidence of a beneficial effect of blue blocking lenses for the prevention of eye diseases, in particular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In humans, macular pigments (composed of lutein and zeaxanthin) represent a natural protection by filtering blue light, and can be increased through increased intake from foods or food supplements. These nutrients are associated with lower risk for AMD and cataract. Antioxidants such as vitamins C, E, or zinc might also contribute to the prevention of photochemical ocular damage by preventing oxidative stress.ConclusionCurrently, there is no evidence that LEDs in normal use at domestic intensity levels or in screen devices are retinotoxic to the human eye. However, the potential toxicity of long-term cumulative exposure and the dose-response effect are currently unknown.
AB - IntroductionExposure to blue light has seriously increased in our environment since the arrival of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and, in recent years, the proliferation of digital devices rich in blue light. This raises some questions about its potential deleterious effects on eye health. The aim of this narrative review is to provide an update on the ocular effects of blue light and to discuss the efficiency of methods of protection and prevention against potential blue light-induced ocular injury.MethodsThe search of relevant English articles was conducted in PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar databases until December 2022.ResultsBlue light exposure provokes photochemical reactions in most eye tissues, in particular the cornea, the lens, and the retina. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that certain exposures to blue light (depending on the wavelength or intensity) can cause temporary or permanent damage to some structures of the eye, especially the retina. However, currently, there is no evidence that screen use and LEDs in normal use are deleterious to the human retina. Regarding protection, there is currently no evidence of a beneficial effect of blue blocking lenses for the prevention of eye diseases, in particular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In humans, macular pigments (composed of lutein and zeaxanthin) represent a natural protection by filtering blue light, and can be increased through increased intake from foods or food supplements. These nutrients are associated with lower risk for AMD and cataract. Antioxidants such as vitamins C, E, or zinc might also contribute to the prevention of photochemical ocular damage by preventing oxidative stress.ConclusionCurrently, there is no evidence that LEDs in normal use at domestic intensity levels or in screen devices are retinotoxic to the human eye. However, the potential toxicity of long-term cumulative exposure and the dose-response effect are currently unknown.
KW - Blue light
KW - Digital devices
KW - Prevention
KW - Ocular hazard
KW - Ocular health, myopia, retina, macular pigment
KW - Light emitting diodes
KW - Blue light
KW - Digital devices
KW - Prevention
KW - Ocular hazard
KW - Ocular health, myopia, retina, macular pigment
KW - Light emitting diodes
UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10807/233572
U2 - 10.1007/s40123-023-00675-3
DO - 10.1007/s40123-023-00675-3
M3 - Article
SN - 2193-8245
VL - 12
SP - 755
EP - 788
JO - Ophthalmology and Therapy
JF - Ophthalmology and Therapy
ER -