29/7/2026
Raising awareness: Dangers of blue light and eye health
in the cockpit and on water / What limit is allowed according to ICNIRP ?
Dear Customer,
CARUSO & FREELAND GmbH has been based in Switzerland since 1997.
Innovative eye protection for pilots and any water sports
Conventional sunglasses with 100% UV protection primarily protect the front structures of the eye, such as the cornea and the crystalline lens. From a medical point of view, however, the back of the eye – including the macula and retina – must also be critically protected.
Health risks from overexposure to blue light
Standard UV sunglasses do not adequately protect these sensitive areas. For this reason, we have developed a unique eyewear solution especially for pilots: It combines 100% UV protection with integrated blue light filtering. This additional protection from blue light plays a crucial role in preserving the retina by reducing cumulative light-induced damage.
By filtering harmful blue light, our glasses help protect the macula and retina to reduce the risk and delay the onset of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) and retinal detachment, which become more common with age and long-term exposure to light.
New Eye Prevention on the watter
This innovation provides comprehensive, medically based protection, optimizing the long-term eye health of pilots exposed to high-intensity lighting environments at altitude.
We think it is very important to convey this important topic to pilots and visitors. ARMD is the second eye disease, according to the most recent WHO report from 2019. More than 200 million people are affected by this. Most of them are located in industrialized countries.
Assessment of the Blue Light Ocular Hazard by Solar Measurements and the Impact of
Selected Sunglasses Bases upon the Limits of the International Commision on Non-Ionizing Protection Guidline
Abstract
A quantitative estimate of the blue light hazard for the human eye in relation to direct sunlight is presented. For six radiation situations, the lack of eye protection was compared with the protection provided by nine different commercially available sunglasses with and without an optimized blue light filter. The measurements of solar radiation were carried out both on the Earth’s surface and at an altitude of 12 km in the cockpit of a commercial aircraft. From the measurement data, an irradiation time limit was calculated within which the maximum blue light dose of 100 J m−2 recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection and mandatory for the safe operation of lamps according to the ICE 62471 standard is reached. The results suggest that the dose limit for blue light is exceeded within less than 3 s when looking directly at the sun without eye protection. For category 3 sunglasses without the optimized blue light filter, time limits of 10 to 25 s on the Earth’s surface and 7 to 8 s at an altitude of 12 km have been observed. The examined category 3 sunglasses with optimized blue light protection and suitable for traffic use allow a time limit of more than 40 s on the earth’s surface and 18 to 95 s in the cockpit of the airliner. The result of the study is that eye protection against blue light hazards from solar radiation can be quantified on the basis of existing limit values and that the choice of sunglasses is relevant: Roadworthy sunglasses that are optimized for protection against blue light hazards offer better protection than non-optimized sunglasses.
In recent years, there has been increasing attention to the risks associated with exposure to blue light. Most people are aware that the modern LED technology used in smartphones, computer screens, and artificial lighting relies heavily on blue light. As a precautionary measure, many devices now offer a “blue light filter” to reduce possible damage.
In Europe, the EN 62471 standard was introduced to limit the photobiological risk of LEDs and to recommend exposure of no more than 500 lux to protect the human eye. This is due to the known effects of high-energy visible (HEV) blue light, which can pose a photobiological hazard – especially in the case of chronic exposure.
But how does this compare to natural sunlight?
Few people know that sunlight can reach intensities of up to 100,000 lux, and while not all of it is in the blue spectrum, it is a significant part. Depending on the environmental conditions, the dose of blue light from the sun can be a hundred times or even higher than that of a smartphone screen. Nevertheless, the angle of the sun, the duration and the wavelength composition play a major role.
Sun 100 x then LED
Why is this relevant today?
Due to lifestyle changes and increased screen exposure from early childhood onwards, raising awareness of prevention is more important than ever. Protecting our eyes – especially the retina – from long-term exposure can help delay or prevent age-related diseases such as macular degeneration.
Lack of awareness and access to science-based information poses a serious risk to public health. That’s why we believe that now is the time to act – to inform, educate and promote prevention strategies in both the public and professional sectors.
Thank you for your attention and we hope to work with you to protect vision and promote knowledge around this important health topic.
Greetings
CARUSO & FREELAND GmbH
Giuseppe Caruso
CARUSO & FREELAND GmbH, Neusatzstr. 10, 8212 Neuhausen, Switzerland / Tel. +41526724325 / [email protected]
