Submission + - Those Blue LEDs That We All Love? Stop Looking At Them
Isao writes: It (apparently) has been known that blue light damages eyes and accelerates macular degeneration. A new article on phys.org may have identified how this happens.
It seems that unlike other light colors, blue causes a necessary molecule (retinal) to permanently kill photoreceptor cells. From the article: "The researcher found that a molecule called alpha tocoferol, a Vitamin E derivative and a natural antioxidant in the eye and body, stops the cells from dying. However, as a person ages or the immune system is suppressed, people lose the ability to fight against the attack by retinal and blue light."
The authors will continue their research and recommend filtering and blue light reduction in the meantime.
It seems that unlike other light colors, blue causes a necessary molecule (retinal) to permanently kill photoreceptor cells. From the article: "The researcher found that a molecule called alpha tocoferol, a Vitamin E derivative and a natural antioxidant in the eye and body, stops the cells from dying. However, as a person ages or the immune system is suppressed, people lose the ability to fight against the attack by retinal and blue light."
The authors will continue their research and recommend filtering and blue light reduction in the meantime.