Radiation and AMD

Blue light is at the shorter wavelength, energetic part of the visible spectrum.

Visible electromagnetic spectrum

Short wavelength radiation is also known as energetic radiation. Shorter wavelengths penetrate the body in a more damaging fashion than long wavelength radiation. A radiographer taking X-rays will always stand behind a protective screen when actually taking an X-ray. People working in nuclear reactors will have a radiation-sensitive tag which will change colour when exposed to harmful radiation.

The ultraviolet light is absorbed mainly by the cornea and the intra-ocular lens.We all know how damaging UV light can be. The next most damaging radiation is the short wavelength visible light - which does reach the macula. Allowing it to strike the macula unchecked would lead to a very high risk of damage there. Protection against the blue light is afforded by the macular pigments, which are yellow in colour.