Published By: K.D Cameron

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What’s your B.L.U.E? Is your computer destroying your eyes?

B.L.U.E. stands for Blue Light User Exposure. So, what’s your B.L.U.E?

You have no idea, do you? I didn’t.

Your B.L.U.E. represents the amount of blue light your eyes absorb every day. If you work in front of a computer, regularly check in with social media on your phone, surf the web or play games on your tablet, you’re exposing yourself to an awful lot of blue light.

So why does this matter? Turns out, the blue light emitted from our favorite electronics can be more damaging to your eyes than those dreaded UV rays from the sun. We’re accustomed to the threat of UV rays. We wear sunglasses and hats to protect our eyes in the sun. Yet we sit glued to our screens with no visual defense at all.

Or do we?

Inside our eyes, the carotenoids Lutein and Zeaxanthin are concentrated within the macula, where they act as internal sunglasses defending against harmful rays—both UV and blue-light spectrum. Numerous scientific studies demonstrate the pivotal role these so called macular pigments play in maintaining healthy vision.

Serious computer gamers and coders know all about this. They wear special glasses that filter blue light. But most of us are not serious gamers. And most of our exposure is incidental and on-the-fly. We check our phones while standing in line, surf on our tablets while watching TV (a double assault), never thinking of the cellular war going on within our eyes.

What’s the solution? I suppose we could all walk around with some goofy gamer glasses on, looking like Bono wannabes. I shudder at the thought.

The best solution to combat the B.L.U.E. is to max out on the macular carotenoids. Lutein and Zeaxanthin are found in spinach, peppers, zucchini and other squash, kiwi fruit, even eggs. Include these foods in your diet and you’ll be defending your vision with every bite. Plus, you can supplement. Lutein is a bright yellow carotenoid, and the best supplements are made from pure, purpose-grown marigolds—brilliant yellow flowers that yield pure, naturally occurring Lutein.

I have children. Despite my best attempts to curtail it, they spend way too much time in front of screens. And they must be allowed to do it, lest they be left behind in today’s digital age. This B.L.U.E. thing is disturbing to me. My boys now take a Lutein and Zeaxanthin supplement every day. So am I.

I recently bought my first pair of reading glasses. I’m hoping they will be my last. I’m on the defense against the B.L.U.E.