Round table: Spotlight on blue light

Much has been made recently of the potential damage that exposure to short wavelength visible light might cause. Various claims have been made about blue light damage to the eye and surrounding tissues, ranging from conjunctival degenerations, through cataract to macular degeneration. Added to this have been widespread reports, particularly in the tabloid press, suggesting increased dangerous exposure linked with our modern lifestyle.

Artificial lighting, especially LED sources, computer screens and tablet displays have all been implicated as potential hazards. But the evidence base for some of the claims is disputed or even absent and there is some confusion as to what advice an eye care practitioner can realistically offer to patients about blue light as a potential hazard.