We have all had those moments right after taking a photograph when we have blind spots in front of our eyes. These moments leave us a little dazed, and we are left to wonder if the camera flash is bad for our eyes.
Our retinas are safe from damage. It turns out these momentary moments of blindness are just fleeting. The camera is not bad for the eyes because the light coming from the camera flash is not intense enough to cause any significant damage to our retinas. Furthermore, the light of the flash is neither focused nor do we experience enough exposure to it when we take a picture.
The picture-taking process lasts only a few seconds, insufficient time to cause damage.
Still not satisfied and want to fully be aware of why cameras are practically safe for your eyes? Keep reading ahead!
What Is A Camera Flash?
A camera flash is the momentary burst of light from the camera when a picture is taken. It typically lasts 1/400th of a second. The flash is made of low-wattage LED bulbs, which aim to brighten up the area around the photo to make it brighter.
Why Do The Flash Give You Temporary Blind Spots?
When we are exposed to extremely bright lights, the light ends up bleaching the retina. This causes blind spots, and they stay for as long as the retina regenerates, usually about a few seconds for camera flashes.
To learn more about the impact of flash on your eyes, see this video
The brighter the light, the longer the retina takes to regenerate. Very bright lights can cause more permanent damage.
Why Are Cameras Safe?
Now you must wonder that bleached retinas don’t sound very safe, and the blind spot must cause some damage. But there are reasons why you have nothing to worry about when it comes to camera flashes.
The Light Coming From The Flash Is Not Intense Enough
Long-term damage comes from intense lights. Camera flashbulbs are made of low-wattage LEDs. Even if you take ten photos together, the light is not strong enough to cause permanent harm. Furthermore, alot of the light dissipates before reaching the pupil, and its full impact does not hit.
There Is Not Enough Exposure Time
Studies show that if you stare at bright lights for at least thirty seconds, only then do they begin to cause some damage. That damage is also minimal if the light is not too bright.
Taking a picture happens in a snapshot of a second; it is nowhere near thirty. The light flashes and goes before we know it. There is not enough exposure to cause damage.
The Flash Light Is Not Focused
Light from the camera flash disperses immediately; it is not focused on the retina and reduces the damage.
The Bottom Line
It has been established that cameras are safe to use because the light from the camera flash is not intense, long-lasting, or focused enough to cause any permanent damage. The most they can do is give temporary blind spots, but that is not a problem in the longer run. So don’t worry, keep snapping!
