囧研究：玩手機對眼睛的傷害，究竟有多大？

We all know that the blue light that emits from our smartphones isn't good for our eyes, but a new study has discovered just how much damage it can cause.

我們都知道智能手機發出的藍光對眼睛有傷害，但一項最新研究發現了這些藍光的具體的傷害程度。

Researchers say that this light is absorbed by vital molecules in our retina and triggers the production of a toxic chemical that kill cells.

研究人員發現，視網膜上面的主要分子會吸收這些藍光，並會產生有毒的化學物質來殺死細胞。

This damage can lead to large blind spots in our vision that are the hallmark of macular degeneration, a disease that leads to blindness.

這種傷害可導致視力出現大面積盲點，也就是黃斑病變的典型特徵。這種疾病最終會導致失明。

The team from the University of Toledo in Ohio says it is urging the public to not use phones in the dark because this can dilate pupils and lead to even more harmful blue light entering our eyes.

來自俄亥俄托萊多大學的研究小組，呼籲公衆不要在暗處使用手機，這樣會導致瞳孔放大，而且導致更多藍光進入我們的眼睛。

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss for those age 50 or older, according to the National Eye Institute.

國立眼科研究所的數據表示，由於黃斑病變導致視力減弱的主要是50歲及以上的人羣。

Sufferers will experience blurred vision or even 'blind spots' in their central vision that may grow larger as the retina dies.

患者通常會覺得在視覺中心區域視力模糊，或者出現“盲點”，而且隨着視網膜細胞壞死盲點的區域會擴大。

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, 9.1 million Americans have early AMD and 2.1 million above age 50 have late AMD, which is a stage of severe vision loss.

根據美國眼科學會，910萬美國人有早期黃斑病變，有210萬年齡超過50歲的美國人有晚期黃斑病變，也就是視力重度損害。

For this study, the team decided to focus on retinal, a form of vitamin A found in the retina that coverts light into metabolic energy.

從研究結果來看，研究小組把重心放在視網膜上，在視網膜上發現的一種維生素A能夠把光轉換成代謝能。

Photoreceptor cells, use retinal to covert light into signals that are sent to the brain.

感光細胞通過視網膜將信號傳遞給大腦。

The team did find a molecule, a vitamin E derivative known as alpha tocopherol, that can stop the cells from dying.

研究小組發現一種分子，是維他命E的衍生物也就是α生育酚，能夠阻止細胞的死亡。

DrKarunarathne says some of the ways we can protect ourselves include wearing sunglasses that can filter both UV and blue light, using blue light filters on our phones, and not looking at cell phones or tablets in the dark.

有以下幾種方式可以保護我們，包括佩戴太陽眼鏡可以濾掉UV和藍光，在手機上用藍光濾膜，不要在黑的地方玩手機和平板，Karunarathne博士如是說。

（翻譯：林潯鷗）