Dr. William Boothe: Light Pollution May Cause Detrimental Damage
Online, August 10, 2012 (Newswire.com) - It is no secret that the different parts of the body are connected in one way or another; however, it is increasingly evident that science is still in the dark regarding just how connected these parts of the body can be. A recent article by The Huffington Post reveals that the light processed by the eyes-or the abundance of it-can actually lead to cancer and other serious health conditions. Dr. William Boothe, an ophthalmologist who specializes in LASIK procedures, asserts that this report highlights how important proper eye health is.
According to the article, Ian Cheney set out to film a documentary called "The City Dark," which chronicles light pollution, or the overabundance of light at night due to the light bulb. He simply wanted to answer the question, "What do we lose when we lose the night sky?" His work revealed more than he could have anticipated.
The article asserts, "Yet Cheney, who grew up under the dark skies of rural Maine before moving to the bright lights of New York City, notes that he quickly stumbled upon a growing body of evidence that suggests a possible connection between decreased nighttime darkness and increased risks of certain cancers and other health problems."
The article reports that artificial light can interrupt the circadian rhythm, alter the natural production of melatonin, and increase risk associated with the development of cancer. Additionally, light pollution has been tied to obesity, sleep disorders, depression, and heart disease.
Dr. William Boothe remarks that these findings underscore the importance of proper eye health. "Taking care of your eyes means more than getting a yearly eye examination," comments Dr. Boothe. "Eye care requires minimizing behaviors that may negatively impact sight. These findings are interesting in that they show how what we see can impact the health of our bodies. It is important, then, to remember that how we treat our eyes, and what we look at, are more important than we may assume."
Dr. Boothe states that there are different kinds of light, such as red light and blue light, that affect the body in different ways. He looks forward to future research on this topic.
ABOUT:
Dr. William Boothe, an ophthalmologist, specializes in the care and treatment of the cornea and health conditions associated with this part of the eye. In fact, Dr. William Boothe has completed over 130,000 LASIK laser procedures since beginning his career. He has performed more IntraLASIK operations than any other professional around the globe. Through his various teaching positions, Dr. William Boothe passes his knowledge onto other surgeons, thereby improving the overall level of care that the ophthalmology field can provide to patients. Dr. William Boothe is dedicated to constantly evolving as a professional and is a member of the American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, International Society of Refractive Surgery, and Texas Ophthalmologic Association.