The Canadian Association of Optometrists says
human exposure to blue light is on the rise.
Almost all blue light reaches the retina and too
much exposure can cause sleep problems, eye
strain, headaches, irritability as well as more
serious problems like age-related macular
degeneration and cataracts.
“A child’s crystalline lens is more transparent to
short wavelengths – such as blue light – than that
of an adult, making children more sensitive to
blue light effects than adults,” says the association,
which is the national voice of optometry in
Canada and represents about 85 per cent of all
Canadian optometrists.
A recent report by the Vision Council found that
76.5 per cent of people reported their children,
under the age of 18, get more than two hours of
screen time each day. And there are indications
that those numbers are on the rise.
To protect children's vision, several optical
companies have developed lenses that can block
or filter out all or a portion of ultra-violet and/
or blue light.
Recently, Nikon launched a new single-vision lens
that provides full protection from both UV and
blue light. Juveo lenses, which Nikon says were
inspired by the importance of safeguarding
children's visual health, are exclusively available
with both Transitions and SeeCoat Blue
UV coating.
“We are always mindful about the importance of
visual protection, particularly children’s visual
health. It’s imperative to shine light on the fact
that even though kids spend more time outdoors
than adults, their eyes are most often not protected
from UV rays or blue light. All kids and teenagers
should be protected, even those who don’t need
vision correction,” says Chantal Gravel, product
marketing manager at Nikon Optical Canada.
“With Juveo, we are offering a simple, easy and
practical solution for parents and eye care profes-
sionals to protect kid’s visual health.”
The lenses allow kids to wear the same glasses
both indoors and out, thanks to the Transitions
technology.
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