Research suggests prolonged exposure to HEV (high-energy visible) blue light sources can be damaging to the eyes. Short-term exposure also leads to eye strain and discomfort (Ginaluca, Ferguson, & Tsubota, 2016). Smartphones are a primary source of blue light exposure. The use of portable devices is at an all-time high with an estimated 81% of Americans owning a smartphone. It is estimated that by 2023, 285 million people in the US will own a smartphone (Georgiev, 2021). Other sources of blue light include the sun, flat-screen televisions, computer screens, electronic tablets, and some energy saving lighting (LED and fluorescent). Exposure to blue light before bed might also negatively impact your sleep quality (Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School, 2021).
Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) contributes to the production of free radical species within the eyes which in excess contributes to oxidative stress (OS). OS can have damaging effects to healthy cell structures and tissues within the eyes (Ivanov, Mappes, Schaupp, Lappe, & Wahl, 2018). While this is a normal consequence of everyday life, certain nutrients and ingredients can help support the body’s ability to fight the damaging effects of OS (Ouyang, et al., 2020).