Got the Blues with Macular Degeneration

Background: Oxidative stress induced by low-wavelength visible light is a known risk
factor for developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Exposure to sources
emitting light from the blue region of the visible spectrum could negatively affect the
state of AMD. While low vision patients with AMD benefit visually from illuminated
magnifying devices, it should be considered that some may emit and transmit
wavelengths that cause harm to the retinal tissue of the eye.
Methods: The visible spectra of light both emitted and transmitted were measured for
commonly used illuminated handheld magnifiers, including the Eschenbach 3X/12D
Mobilux LED magnifiers, the Optelec PowerMag+ 4X/12D LED magnifier, and the
Eschenbach 3.5X/10D incandescent magnifier. These spectra were obtained using the
Sekonic C-700 Spectromaster spectrometer. Additionally, the transmittance of UV and
visible light through each handheld magnifier was measured using the Beckman DU6408
spectrophotometer.
Results: Data collected indicate that the illuminated low vision devices examined in this
study emit short-wavelength visible light. These data also reveal that these devices
transmit over 90% of this light through the magnifying lenses themselves.
Conclusions: The illuminated low vision devices evaluated in this study were not
determined to produce harmful levels of radiation based on current studies involving
phototoxic damage to retinal anatomy.