Lutein and Zeaxanthin for Blue Light Protection

The blue light in computers and cell phones, LED lights and Compact Fluorescent lights can not only strain your vision, it can be harmful to your retina.

Between the invisible wavelengths of ultraviolet and infrared light, there is the rainbow of visible light. Most light is safe for the eyes, but there is a narrow band in the blue light spectrum that some studies suggest can hasten the death of retinal cells, and in turn, possibly lead to macular degeneration.

The specific band of blue light most harmful to the retina and to the retinal pigment epithelial cells was identified to be at 415 nm to 455 nm, and it is actually blue-violet in color. People most at risk are those exposed for long periods of time to those wavelengths, those who have family histories of macular degeneration and smokers. There are two steps you can take now to protect yourself from harmful blue light.

1. Blue-Blocking Indoor Eyeglasses - These lenses are designed to block the most dangerous blue light while allowing other blue light (such as blue turquoise) to pass through. Optical companies that currently offer blue-blocking technology include Nikon (SeeCoat Blue), Essilor (Crizal Prevencia), PFO Global (iBlu coat), HOYA (Recharge), VSP (UNITY BluTech) and Spy Optic Inc. (Happy Lens).
2. Lutein-Zeaxanthin Ocular Supplements - The minimum levels recommended for effectiveness in absorption and rendering blue-violet light least damaging is 10 mg Lutein and 2 mg Zeaxanthin. These levels are met in all VisiVite AREDS 2 Formulas for macular degeneration, and is also found in VisiVite's newest targeted nutritional formulas below.

REFERENCES

1. Beatty S, Koh HH, Henson D, Boulton M. The role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration. Surv Ophthalmol. 2000;45(2)115–134.
2. Algvere PV, Marshall J, Seregard S. Age-related maculopathy and the impact of blue light hazard. Acta Ophthalmol Scand. 2006;84(1)4–15.
3. Dillon J, Zheng L, Merriam JC, Gaillard ER. Transmission of light to the aging human retina: possible implications for age related macular degeneration. Exp Eye Res. 2004;79(6)753–759.