Harmful blue light. Bad for children.

Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun.

Please shine down on me, but not the harmful blue light.

Familiar with Mr. Sun nursery song? Children are fascinated by “Mr. Sun” whenever they are exposed to outdoors. Children need to be educated viewing at the Sun directly is hazardous. Children’s retinas will be damaged when expose to high harmful blue light. Researchers from Japan published harmful solar blue light (UV) radiance that emitted was associated with high solar elevations, increased from sunrise to noon.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18516116

Risk factors of harmful solar blue light as follows:

Tropical regions like #Singapore.

The solar blue light emission is the highest at the equator. All Singaporean children should protect themselves with protective sunglasses whenever they are outdoors to prevent myopia.

2. High altitudes.

The level of solar blue light is greater in higher elevations like mountainous regions.

3. Time

High levels of solar blue light are reported between 10 am to 2 pm.

4. Snowy and sandy areas

Vast areas emit more solar blue light due to wide reflective surfaces.

5. Drugs

Some medicine can cause the body to be more sensitive to solar blue light.

Children are more exposed to retinal damage and harmful solar blue light compared to adults. Why?

Children’s pupils size are generally bigger than adults. Hence more light can penetrate.

Children’s crystalline lenses ( the lenses that caused cataract) are clear, more harmful light easily penetrates to their retinas.

Children need to spend more time outdoors than adults, especially to prevent myopia progression.

Gear your children with protective sunglasses and hats when they meet “Mr. Sun”.

Consult your optometrist to recommend proper protective lenses for your children. Not all sun protection for them are authentic.

Author  and photo source by #SG #optometrist, Chua Yee Leen.