TOLEDO, OHIO — If you haven't already, it might be time to cut down on screen time, as new research shows blue light is slowly killing our vision.<br /><br />Fortune reports that digital devices like phones or tablets are constantly exposing us to blue light, which cannot be blocked or reflected by the eye's cornea or lens.<br /><br />Photoreceptor cells in the retina rely on molecules called retinal to sense light and trigger the firing of signals to the brain. Simply put, it's what allows people to see.<br /><br />But a new study from the University of Toledo has found that exposing retinal to blue light causes a toxic reaction that kills photoreceptor cells, which are incapable of regenerating.<br /><br />When introduced into other cell types, the retinal molecule produced the same deadly reaction when exposed to blue light, but not with yellow, green, or red light.<br /><br />Alpha tocopherol, a form of vitamin E, was found to reduce cell damage. But as vitamin levels decrease with age, prolonged blue light exposure may lead to macular degeneration- a leading cause of blindness.<br /><br />Researchers say it's best to limit exposure and avoid looking at devices in the dark.<br /><br />Though if you really can't stay away, at least invest in protective glasses that filter out UV and blue light.
