Is blue light bad for macular degeneration?

By ClearSight, 27 July, 2023

an image of 2 people using one tablet computer

While sunlight's blue light may harm the eyes, there is no evidence for screen-emitted blue light. Protect from sunlight and practice good eye habits.

Have you ever noticed how eyeglasses stores always seem to be promoting blue-light-blocking lenses? Advertisements claim that our eyes are exposed to harmful blue light. And blue light is constantly emitted by our digital devices. Naturally, the conclusion they want you to draw from these two separate statements or even have served up straight is you should invest in a pair for the sake of eye health.

But is it true? Is blue light bad for age-related macular degeneration (AMD)? Do we need blue-light-blocking lenses? Let's dive in and have a closer look!

Blue light from sunlight vs digital are they the same?

Blue light, which has wavelengths between 400-500 nm, is naturally present in sunlight. Research since the 1960s indicates that high-energy blue light could potentially damage the retina.^1,2, It is absorbed by the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and certain photoreceptors, generating harmful reactive oxygen species and free radicals, leading to oxidative stress.³

But what about blue light emitted from our digital screens? As it turns out, the answer is not as straightforward. While the impact of sunlight's blue light on the eyes is well-documented, the potential harm from our screens' blue light is more nuanced.⁴ Let's turn to the experts to help us sift through the data.

Expert opinions on screen-emitted blue light

According to Karl Citek, an O.D., Ph.D., Pacific University College of Optometry professor, "while there is a possibility that excessive blue light exposure from screens can affect melatonin release and thus affect the sleep cycle, there is no new evidence to suggest that device-derived blue light exposure increases the risk of ocular damage. If anything, the evidence emphasizes the importance of wearing UV-A and UV-B blocking sunglasses when outdoors."⁵

Both the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) of the UK have stated that there's no compelling evidence that the blue light from digital screens damages the eyes or that blue light filtering lenses impact the incidence or progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).^4,6

What's the real-world impact of screen-emitted blue light in AMD?

Despite the extensive research conducted in laboratories, the real-world effects of screen-emitted blue light on our eyes seem to be less than initially feared. While some lab-based animal studies have shown retinal damage from intense blue light exposure, the radiation levels were much higher than what we'd typically experience from our screens. Hence, the likelihood of significant tissue damage from our everyday screen use is not the same as what was generalized.⁵

Moreover, a study investigating the effectiveness of blue-light filtering intraocular lenses in preventing wet AMD after cataract surgery found no evidence of benefit vs the non-blue-light-filtering lenses.⁷ Another study in 2017 also found no evidence that blue-light-blocking glasses improve visual performance or sleep quality, alleviate eye fatigue, or preserve macular health.⁸

Some tips to help protect your eyes

Remember that UV rays from sunlight are a known risk. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV400 protection when outdoors.⁹

For screen use and reduce digital eye strains, make sure to take regular breaks using the "20-20-20" rule: every 20 minutes, shift your eyes to look at an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.⁹

When using a digital device, you can also use artificial tears to refresh your eyes when they feel dry, and avoid digital devices a few hours before bedtime to limit blue light's potential impact on sleep quality.⁹

Key takeaways

While blue light from the sun can be harmful, the blue light emitted from our digital screens may not be. Both the American Academy of Ophthalmology and NICE don't recommend using blue-light-blocking glasses for digital device use due to insufficient evidence of their benefits.^4,6

Instead, protection from high-energy light from sunlight and good eye care habits are advisable. Further, blue light may impact the sleep cycle or lead to eye strains, make sure healthy digital screen use habits, regular breaks, and/or use artificial tears.⁴

So, while blue light from our screens may not be a hero, it's certainly not a villain either. It's more like a character in a movie who initially appears to be the villain from behind, but turns out to be someone else. Just remember to give your eyes a well-deserved break -- even as you finished this article. After all, they've been working tirelessly for you!

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