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Ultimate Guide to Compensation for Blue Light Vision Loss. It is common to start experiencing slow loss of vision in old age, but what if you are young? Perhaps your family history could point out genetics as a cause for your blurry vision, but what if your vision deterioration could result from a work-related injury or an accident?
If that is the case, Ehline Law and our California vision loss attorneys are ready to hold the responsible party responsible for your loss of vision and aggressively pursue compensation for the damages. We offer free consultations to all victims wanting to know if they have a legal case and their legal options.
Is UV and Blue Light the Same?
Many electromagnetic waves are invisible to the naked eye, but humans can see some small waves referred to as “visible light.” Blue light is one of the colors in the light spectrum visible to the human eye. They have a short wavelength but are high-energy waves, and they’re a bit longer and less powerful than UV lights, which is why humans cannot see UV lights with their eyes.
Sources of Blue Light
The sun is the original source of blue light. However, when looking directly at a setting sun, you see long red and gold light waves but not blue, as these short waves dissipate along the way before the sun reaches your eyes. The light from the sun also has benefits such as improved cognitive function, increased alertness, and mood elevation, among others.
Due to ever-advancing technology, there are many other sources of blue light besides the sun, and these include:
- Mobile phone screens
- Computer screens and laptops
- TV screens
- Tablets and other digital devices with a screen
- Led lights
- Fluorescent lights.
Common Causes of Eye Injuries in the United States
More than half of all jobs require a computer, and reliance on computers and other remote technologies has increased during the pandemic. Whether scrolling through social media on your phone or creating spreadsheets at work, more people are glued to their screens than ever before.
Sitting in front of your devices for long periods can lead to an eye injury or blurred vision, affecting your ability to see and significantly impacting your work productivity.
Is Blue Light Exposure Harmful to Humans?
Too much exposure to blue light is more harmful to humans than good. Staring at the screen causes the eyes to absorb the blue light through a cloudy lens (cataract) into the retina, a thin layer of light-sensitive tissue. In large doses, consuming this type of light can lead to dry eyes, slow melatonin secretion, and increased hormone production, among other side effects.
Let’s look at how consuming excessive blue light can cause harm to your body.
Affects Sleep
Studies show that over the past few decades, people have experienced poor sleep quality, affecting their ability to fall asleep for extended periods.
According to surveys, those using digital devices before bed had difficulties sleeping, causing reduced melatonin secretion, disrupted circadian rhythm, and tiredness in the morning.
Eye Discomfort and Vision Problems
Too much screen time can increase exposure to blue light, resulting in eye and vision-related problems. It can cause discomfort, which increases in tandem with the screen time they engage in.
Increased Risk of Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, and Obesity
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), those receiving less than 7 hours of sleep daily are at a higher risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.
Sleep helps lower an individual’s blood pressure, and inadequate sleep can cause higher blood pressure for long hours, resulting in the development of heart diseases, eventually leading to a stroke.
Ensuring adequate sleep helps maintain blood sugar at acceptable levels, and those receiving less sleep are at a higher risk of higher blood sugar levels resulting in type II diabetes.
Sleep also helps control hunger and keeps it at bay. Lack of sleep affects the brain’s ability to manage appetite, resulting in the consumption of unneeded calories, which leads to weight gain and eventually obesity. In a recent study, female participants exposed to blue light experienced a 17% increase in body weight and a 33% risk of obesity.
Risk of Depression
Over the last two decades, there has been a significant increase in mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder, across the population of the United States. Scientists suggest technology as one of the factors attributed to such an increase in mood disorders.
Researchers are now studying the behavioral patterns associated with affective disorders and blue light exposure. They believe that the symptoms of exposure to bright light, such as disruption of sleep cycles, hormone secretion, and gene expression, affect an individual’s mood.
Permanent Vision Loss
Today’s generation is more exposed to artificial light than the light coming directly from the sun, as many of us spend countless hours in front of a computer.
The American Macular Degeneration Foundation published a study that shows a direct correlation between blue light and vision problems. According to studies conducted by scientists, blue light is more dangerous to the retina in higher doses than other types of light, causing severe vision problems and, in some cases, permanent damage.
Besides the physical and mental damage that blue light does to an individual, it also hinders mainstream and social immersion, causing individuals to become more distant than ever before.
Who Is Liable for My Damaged Eyes?
Since technological devices with a screen emit blue light, unregulated electronic devices could cause harm to an individual, resulting in product liability.
Typically, exposure to such light in small doses is not harmful as modern devices follow safety guidelines and therefore do not emit high levels of blue light. However, defective products or negligent manufacturers can result in devices emitting too much blue light, causing severe damage to the eyes upon extended use.
If you believe that your damaged eyes are a result of blue light from your device, then you would need to show that there was a product defect. A defective computer screen can cause vision problems such as blurred vision. It is crucial to check the product for any improper labels or defects to establish liability for your eye injury.
Does Wearing BlueLight Glasses Work?
Although there is conclusive evidence that extended exposure to blue light can cause strain on the eyes, there is no proof that blue light special glasses reduce eyestrain or prevent other side effects. Yet, during the pandemic, as the use of devices increased among the population increased, so did the sales of such glasses.
Currently, the research into whether or not these glasses are effective is in its early stages. Susan Primo, a professor of ophthalmology at Emory University, explains that digital overuse causes strain on the eyes rather than exposure to blue light. However, some patients already using these glasses report less eye strain. There is a need for more research on this matter.
Preventing Blue Light Dangers
Here are some essential tips that you can follow in your daily life to prevent the dangers of blue light overexposure:
- Blinking: Consumed by the content, when you sit in front of a computer screen, an average person’s blinking rate reduces by half, causing the tear film to dry up, leading to eye discomfort, irritation, and blurred vision. Whenever you are in front of a screen, remember to blink!
- Lube your eyes: A dry and warm climate can lead to dry eyes even after blinking. Using OTC eye drops or artificial tears is a great way to add a bit of moisture. You can also invest in a good humidifier if you’re working in a dry and warm room.
- Prescription glasses: You may want to invest in computer glasses, but there is no conclusive evidence that this helps. If you are wearing contact lenses, it is best to rest your eyes and wear glasses instead. You can get custom-made prescription glasses that come with bifocals and trifocals. Speak to an eye doctor about wearing glasses.
- Adjust screen contrast: Using a bright screen in a dark environment can cause strain and disrupt your sleep cycle. Adjust your screen brightness and contrast according to your environment to reduce eye strain.
- Buy a screen filter: Investing in a screen filter for your device will help cut the glare that causes eye strain after extended device use.
- Adjust your sitting posture: Your eyes should be about 25 inches away from a computer, and you should be gazing slightly downward at a screen rather than straight at it. Although this tip won’t work for smartphones and tablets, it is a great way to alleviate eye stress when performing computer work.
- Limit screen time: If you’re working in front of a computer all day, it is best to limit your screen time when you’re not working. Avoid using your phone, TV, or any other device with a screen during your recreational time to reduce eye fatigue and improve sleep patterns.
Can I Experience Loss of Vision from My Car Accident?
It’s a common misconception that vision problems persist due to old age or eye injuries after the eye socket gets physically struck. However, loss of vision is a common side effect of head and brain injuries, and car accidents are one of the major causes of head injuries that can result in a loss of vision.
Some of the head injuries that can cause vision problems after an auto accident include:
- Concussion: Over 40% of car accident victims with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) complain about their inability to withstand bright lights after car accidents. The aftermath of the accident can cause irritability to certain types of light.
For example, exposure to blue light after a concussion can worsen the symptoms, worsening nausea and migraines.
- Optic nerve damage: Optic nerve damage occurs when increased pressure from a TBI constricts the nerve, causing blurriness or permanent vision impairment.
- Detached retina: Depending on the severity of the impact, it can cause the blood vessels connected to the retina to detach. If the retinal damage is left untreated, it can lead to total blindness.
Some symptoms of a detached retina include the appearance of floaters, bright flashes, or a shadow obscuring the field of vision.
If you suffer from vision loss after your accident, head to an eye doctor for visual acuity and a complete eye examination to identify any injuries. You may be eligible for compensation when you suffer from vision problems that last for months or even years due to an accident caused by someone else’s negligence. Call our California personal injury attorney and receive a free consultation on your case.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Ehline Law Bluelight-induced Vision Loss Attorneys
Ehline Law Firm is a leading personal injury law firm that helps people injured by someone’s wrongdoings. Whether you’re suffering from visual problems due to an accident or defective products, contact us at (833) LETS-SUE for a free consultation.
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