Of all the tools a cinematographer employs, the most important we have are our eyes. Recently there have been an increase in news articles outlining the damage that increased exposure to blue light waves does to our eyes. 

Whilst we cannot completely avoid screen exposure to blue light spectrum, we can be mindful of the potential long term hazard. Many screens on computers and phones offer a warmer version of the screen, which can be taken advantage of when we are not colour balancing our work. In addition blue blocker lenses are now available for spectacles, which I wear whenever I am not required to assess colour accuracy. Don’t forget that sunglasses can also be excellent weapons in the fight against excess UV light exposure when working outside.

The links below offer more information on the issue, as well as providing some interesting background on how our eyes actually work. 

- Simon Raby NZCS, President

https://www.forbes.com/sites/fionamcmillan/2018/08/11/how-blue-light-damages-cells-in-your-eyes/#6f73ef4a384b

https://www.aoa.org/Documents/CRG/Blue%20Light%20and%20Eye%20Damage.pdf

https://amp.theguardian.com/society/2018/aug/09/blue-light-from-phone-screens-accelerates-blindness-study-finds?__twitter_impression=true