The Blue Light Hazard in Medicine and Dentistry

Richard Price, BDS, DDS, MS, FDS RCS, FRCD, PhD

Dr. Richard Price is a Professor of Prosthodontics at Dalhousie University. For the last 20 years, his research has focused on blue light sources such as curing lights.

“I commend SurgiTel for recognizing the potential retinal hazard from using very bright ‘cool white light’ LEDs. They have also taken steps to reduce the most dangerous blue light emission at 445 nm from the LEDs in their headlamps. I recommend that clinicians ask the manufacturers of LED headlamps and LED operatory lights to provide the spectral emission from their light source, not just the brightness or intensity of the light.”