DEFENDING AGAINST BLUE LIGHT
By Troy Patterson
An increasing number of Canadians are expected to buy technologies that protect their eyes from blue light both as education spreads about the potential dangers of the high-energy light and consumers spend more time in front of electronic devices that emit the light .
And lens manufacturers have taken the challenge to protect consumers in stride by offering an increasing variety of blue light-protecting lenses and coatings to better equip people with the tools they need to reduce the negative impacts of blue-violet light .
Long-term impacts from additional digital and natural blue light exposure amongst this generation could see an increase in diseases like age-related macular degeneration , which makes prevention a priority among eye care professionals and lens manufacturers .
Optical Prism recently touched base with Essilor , HOYA , Transitions , Centennial and Plastic Plus to see how they ' re tackling the challenge of offering what consumers want – affordable and useful blue light protection , rolled into the everyday use of their prescription lenses and sunglasses .
Take for instance Essilor ' s Eye Protect System , which offers eyeglass wearers an optimal protection against harmful blue-violet light and UV rays .
The company ' s Smart Blue Filter absorbs 20 per cent of harmful blue violet light , while transmitting beneficial blue turquoise light , but it appears clear .
The company says its Broad Spectrum Technology is a “ breakthrough and unique technology protecting against UV rays ,” with lens materials that protect from up to 100 per cent of front UV exposure and up to 50 per cent of total UV exposure received .
6 EYE FOCUS February Digital 2018