Growing up in the digital age, today’s kids are spending more time in front of digital devices – smartphones, tablets and computers – whether for entertainment or education purposes. With increased reliance on digital devices, your children’s growing eyes are exposed to blue light more than ever.
How much screen time is too much?
Blue light has become a rising concern as children’s screen time increases. How many hours do your kids spend staring at screens a day? The World Health Organization (WHO) calls for no screen time at all for children under 2, and less than an hour a day for kids 2 to 5. Less is better. It’s best to keep children’s screen time to a minimum.
How is blue light bad?
Screens of electronic devices emit high-intensity blue light, which has been shown to have adverse health implications, especially for young children whose eyes and brains are still developing. Blue light is the part of the visible light spectrum that contains the highest energy. Excessive exposure to blue light can lead to digital eye strain. Some symptoms to look out for include eye fatigue, dry eyes, blurred vision and headaches.
Blue light disrupts the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. It suppresses the production of sleep-promoting hormone melatonin, making it challenging for children to get a good night’s sleep. Poor sleep quality may mean your kids’ concentration levels are lower during the day. This can negatively affect their learning.
Why macular pigment optical density (MPOD) matters
MPOD is a measure of the levels of macular pigment in the retina. The macular pigment, composed of lutein and zeaxanthin, acts as natural sunglasses to shield the eyes from blue light. Interestingly, it has been found that the levels of MPOD correlate with the concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin in the brain and is associated with superior academic performance.
Shield against harmful blue light
Shield your kids against the harmful effects of blue light with VitaHealth Kids Blu-Lite Shield. It is made with XanMax® marigold extract. These yummy, orange-flavoured gummies provide a rich source of lutein and zeaxanthin, to enhance their visual and cognitive performance during their key learning years.
- Filters harmful blue light
- Protects the eyes from free radicals
- Enhances cognitive performance
