(Newswire.net — February 2, 2014) Carteret, NJ — Just as your skin has pigments that help protect it from the sun (we call it getting a tan), so too, your eyes also have pigments that block certain harmful rays from reaching the more sensitive areas of the eyes. Today, we know that the blue light spectrum does particular harm to the macula which is the center of your retina.
We asked Dr. Edward Harmer of Carteret Eye Associates of Carteret, New Jersey, a local optometrist and macular pigment expert, to speak with us about this aspect of our eyes’ health and what we can do to help and protect it.
Q: I’ve seen pictures of the retina and there appears to be a yellow spot right in the center of the eye. Is this the pigment we are discussing?
Dr. Harmer: Yes. This yellow colored spot is actually a specific part of the retina called the macula. Its yellow color comes from two carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin. This yellow color plays a critical role in protecting the macula from the harmful blue light spectrum.
Q: Blue light is harmful?
Dr. Harmer: Yes. Recent research has shown that blue light causes gradual oxidation and deterioration of the macula and leaves eyes more susceptible to macular degeneration, contrast sensitivity and problems with glare.
Q: How do you know if you are at risk for this condition?
Dr. Harmer: First, macular degeneration is a very serious issue often leading to significant vision loss and sometimes blindness. In our office in Carteret, we assess the health of the macula by measuring the density or thickness of the macular pigment. The thickness or the density of the macular pigment will vary from person to person. It can also change over time depending you age, lifestyle and diet.
Different instruments may be used. In our office, we use a Retinal Health Assessment which is a multispectral imaging device that is useful for the early detection of optic nerve and retinal disease. It allows doctors to differentiate and follow a wide variety of complex eye conditions and diseases. This instrument differs from others in that it provides pictures of sections throughout the thickness of the retina and reveal detailed views of a variety of retinal structures. This simple, non-invasive exam is done in the eye doctor’s office.
Q: Wow! Sounds high-tech. So you are able to measure the thickness of the pigment with this device?
Dr. Harmer: It is important to have your macular pigment measured because low macular pigment is a key risk factor for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Also, getting a baseline measure means we are able to track changes in the pigment thickness to determine if it is deteriorating.
Q: Is there anything that can be done?
Dr. Harmer: Yes. It really boils down to lifestyle, good preventative habits and diet.
First lifestyle. Staying healthy. Keeping your weight appropriate for your height, blood pressure low and no smoking are a key ingredient in eye health.
Second, good preventative habits means shielding your eye when you are outdoors and in front of a computer. Sunglasses may or may not block blue light so be sure to ask for a outdoors glasses that filter blue light. When indoors, there are excellent computer glasses now available that will not only block blue light from these electronic devices, but also lessen that burning feeling when you have been in front of the computer too long. Our office carries these glasses as well.
Lastly is focusing on your diet. Carotenoids which are found in colored fruits and vegetables such as leafy green vegetables, carrots, peppers, corn and oranges are key to maintaining a healthy macula.