Sullivan Taylor & Gumina June 2018

How to Protect Your Eyes and Minimize Exposure THE HAZARDS OF BLUE LIGHT

You may have been warned about blue light and its impending threat to your eyes. It comes from your computer screen, your phone, and even from the sun. Why is this form of light harmful, and how can you keep your eyes safe? IS BLUE LIGHT A NEW THING? Blue light occurs in nature and is nothing new. However, because many electronics emit blue light, it’s more of an issue now than it was just 10 years ago. Backlit LED screens emit strong blue light waves, so our use of devices like cellphones, tablets, and flat-screen TVs means we are exposed to more blue light than ever before. WHY ARE EYE DOCTORS WORRIED? Blue light isn’t inherently bad — it’s found in sunlight and lightbulbs — but our increased exposure to it might be. Our eyes are pretty good at blocking UV rays but not so good at blocking blue light. Blue light has a higher energy output than other forms of light, so instead of being filtered by the corneas and lenses, almost all of it reaches the more sensitive retinas. The high energy output of blue light and our eyes’ inability to protect the retinas from it appears to cause damage similar to macular degeneration, an eye disease mostly affecting people over 65 that can lead to blindness. These similarities to macular

degeneration have scientists worried that our increased exposure to blue light could lead to more cases of it.

you keep an eye out for your children while in or around a body of water. According to the CDC, “Drownings are the leading cause of death for young children ages 1–4, and three children die every day as a result of drowning.” One sure way to prevent this is to teach your children how to swim. Give your children the tools necessary to protect themselves. Many places, such as the YMCA, offer free or low- cost swimming lessons for children. MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL INJURIES Teaching your kids to be safe on a playground and in the water is a huge step in the right direction. However, some emotional injuries can be damaging as well. School is out and spirits are high with children and teens — thinking about the consequences of their actions is the last thing on their minds. Kids may harass, threaten, or embarrass their peers in ways they find humorous without realizing the weight of their actions. Talk to your children and ask them to consider the how their actions might affect others. Getting your children to think about the consequences of things they do and say will make them more aware of their surroundings so they’re less likely to get hurt or to hurt others. When planning a fun summer with your family and children, simply being aware of your surroundings can put a stop to any dangers you may face. HOW CAN YOU MINIMIZE EXPOSURE? Many computers and electronic devices have a “night shift” option built into them. Enabling this feature will dim the screen and lower the amount of blue light that your device emits. There are also removable filters you can put on your computer screen. Brands like RetinaShield/Tech Armor and Eyesafe are designed to limit the amount of blue light your eyes are exposed to. To avoid eye strain, talk to your eye doctor about blue light glasses. These tinted glasses, which come in prescription and nonprescription versions, reduce the amount of blue light that reaches your eyes. Remember, blue light itself is just a natural form of light and isn’t inherently bad. During the day, it can even be beneficial to get some natural blue light from sunshine — while wearing sunglasses, of course. But it’s also a good idea to take precautions to protect your eyes from artificial blue light, especially if your work environment and hobbies expose you to it frequently. Save Your Child From Trouble

KEEP BOTH EYES OPEN THIS SUMMER

Summer is a great time to get outside with your family and soak up some sun. At times, parental priorities often conflict with one another. On one hand, you want your children to have fun, but on

the other, you may also have an urge to wrap them in bubble wrap. Here are a few things to keep in mind to have a safe and fun summer.

COMMON INJURIES The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an organization that promotes health, saving lives, and protection, states that, “Each year in the United States, emergency departments treat more than 200,000 children ages 14 and younger for playground-related injuries.” There are a few ways that you can be sure to prevent these accidents from happening to your child. Be vigilant with your child and make sure that the surface of the playground is well-maintained and soft. Educate your child on playground safety, such as using handrails when provided to decrease the chances of falls or other injuries. STAY SAFE AROUND WATER Summer means swimsuits! Everyone is eager to get into the water and keep cool during the summer holidays, but it is imperative that

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