Blue Light, UV Rays, and Your Lens: What Exactly is Happening?

Although your eyes are amazing organs, they are extremely delicate. Your natural lens filters light daily to improve your vision. This continuous exposure, however, has a price. You may safeguard your vision for years to come by being aware. Know how blue light, UV rays, and other variables contribute to cataract formation. So, when it’s time, you can contact the best retina specialist in Kolkata.

As you age, cataracts are mostly inevitable. Still, you can decrease their progression by being aware of risk factors. UV protection is an investment in long-term vision health. This is not only for comfort. You can help maintain the quality of your natural lens. You can also possibly postpone the need for surgery by years. You need to combine protective eyewear with wise lifestyle choices. The protection you offer now will be appreciated by your future self.

What Exactly is Happening to Your Lens?

This article talks about the effect of UV rays and blue light and tells you exactly what you can do to lessen the damage to your lens.

The Effect of UV Rays

The water and crystallin proteins that make up your eye’s lens are precisely arranged to maintain transparency. High-energy visible light and UV radiation cause oxidative stress. This damages cellular structures by releasing unstable chemicals known as free radicals. The cloudiness known as cataracts is the result of the crystallin proteins. They clump together over time due to oxidative damage.

This is because UV photons have enough energy to break chemical bonds in lens proteins. They are very harmful. The majority of UVB radiation is absorbed by the cornea and lens. Whereas UVA radiation enters the eye more deeply. Damage from this cumulative exposure builds up slowly over decades. Then vision issues manifest, much like a slow burn. This is when you search for a good eye specialist near you.

Blue Light Effect

With our increased screen time, blue light has become a popular topic. Yet, the science is more complex than marketing claims imply. Natural sunlight contains significantly more blue light than your computer screen or smartphone. Sources of high-energy blue light from large screens can contribute to oxidative stress in the lens. Here is the thing, however. Outdoor activities without eye protection provide a far higher risk. Even if exposure to digital devices hasn’t been conclusively linked to increased cataract formation. The best eye hospital in Kolkata warns you about blue light.

Additional Factors and Their Effects

Light exposure is important; cataract formation is also greatly influenced by a number of additional factors:

1. Age: By the time they are 80 years old, people today have cataracts or have already had cataract surgery. Everyone is impacted by this natural aging process. However, this timing varies greatly.
2. Smoking: By adding more oxidative stress and harmful substances to your body, smoking speeds up the development of cataracts. According to studies, heavy smokers are two to three times more likely to acquire cataracts than non-smokers.
3. Diabetes: Excess glucose produced by the disease leads to sorbitol. This is a chemical that builds up in the lens. It attracts water, which damages the lens’s structure. Diabetics may acquire cataracts more quickly and frequently at younger ages.

What To Do?

When you’re outside during the day, use high-quality sunglasses. This completely blocks UVA and UVB radiation. By obstructing light from the sides, wraparound models provide extra protection. Hats with wide brims offer additional protection by lowering UV exposure by as much as 50%.

Keep up a diet rich in nutrients and antioxidants. Leafy greens like spinach and kale include lutein and zeaxanthin. It builds up in the lens and helps prevent oxidative damage. Lens health is also supported by vitamins C and E.

Conclusion

Take proactive action to manage underlying medical issues. Cataract development can be considerably slowed by controlling your blood sugar levels. Contact your best retina specialist in Kolkata. To identify early changes, schedule routine eye exams. Your eye care specialist can identify early indicators and track the development of cataracts, even though you cannot feel them. Check out Pushpanjali Eye Care, the best for you and your eyes.