Blue light from digital devices could speed up blindness

TOLEDO, OHIO — If you haven't already, it might be time to cut down on screen time, as new research shows blue light is slowly killing our vision.

Fortune reports that digital devices like phones or tablets are constantly exposing us to blue light, which cannot be blocked or reflected by the eye's cornea or lens.

Photoreceptor cells in the retina rely on molecules called retinal to sense light and trigger the firing of signals to the brain. Simply put, it's what allows people to see.

But a new study from the University of Toledo has found that exposing retinal to blue light causes a toxic reaction that kills photoreceptor cells, which are incapable of regenerating.

When introduced into other cell types, the retinal molecule produced the same deadly reaction when exposed to blue light, but not with yellow, green, or red light.

Alpha tocopherol, a form of vitamin E, was found to reduce cell damage. But as vitamin levels decrease with age, prolonged blue light exposure may lead to macular degeneration- a leading cause of blindness.

Researchers say it's best to limit exposure and avoid looking at devices in the dark.

Though if you really can't stay away, at least invest in protective glasses that filter out UV and blue light.