Can Phone Flashlight Damage Baby Eyes?

A newborn baby is the cutest attraction that we see, and it’s true, we often can’t stop ourselves from taking pictures with cute baby filters. When a close friend or relative comes to meet you and the baby, the majority of the people take their phone or camera’s flashlights out and capture the pictures. Sometimes, we’re too shy to even stop them from doing this, or it is also out of respect for them.

The joy of becoming new parents can be so overwhelming that it’s easy to overlook potential risks. Capturing your newborn baby’s first movements is a cherished moment, but it’s crucial to consider the safety implications. One important question to ask is whether flash photography can harm your baby’s eyes. The answer is potentially yes. The flash from your phone can adversely affect your baby’s eyes, and the consequences could be severe.

Does Flash Hurt Babies Eyes?

It sounds far from reality that a baby would go blind by just being exposed to a camera’s flashlight. After thorough research and years of experience, The doctors have concluded that there’s no direct connection between the camera’s flashlight and the baby’s blindness. So, as it turns out, no, they won’t go blind if a flashlight lands on them.

Adults and babies both have pupils that constrict in response to bright light. However, in newborns, this pupillary reaction is not fully developed, which means their eyes might not be adequately protected from bright lights, such as those from a camera flash. If an accidentally used flash on newborn occurs, it’s important to note that the intensity of a phone flashlight on baby eyes isn’t typically high enough to cause blindness. Nonetheless, it is advisable to avoid using high-intensity, non-standardized cameras, like those often used in wedding photography, as they can potentially cause damage to a newborn’s eyes.

A Viral Incident of Child’s Blindness in China

There was a case published in China’s official newspaper People’s Daily in 2015. It was about a family in China who lost their 3-month-old baby’s eyesight due to flash photography. There was an entire article showcasing the family and their story of a 3-month-old baby losing its eyesight cause of a flashlight. However, the chief pediatric ophthalmologist as well as an ocular geneticist at Philadelphia’s Will’s Eye Hospital, Dr. Alex Levin challenged this story openly. He said that it’s impossible for a baby to lose its eyesight due to the camera’s flash as there’s no connection between them.

Take These Necessary Precautions

We can’t deny the fact that the eyes are the most sensitive organ of your body, especially the newborn’s eyes. As a parent, you’d do your best to protect your child and ensure that they’re protected against any harm. Therefore, it’s important you consider these significant factors to protect your baby’s eyes from potential risks.

• First of all, see if they don’t rub their eyes with little hands. It can cause irritation and redness to their skin, which can damage their skin cells.
• Put the sharp objects away from their reach so they don’t end up experimenting with them on their face.
• Pay close attention to any unusual signs in your child’s eyes, and don’t ignore them. These signs may include redness in the eye, excessive and unmanageable tearing, or eye irritation. If you believe these symptoms are more pronounced than usual, it is essential to seek medical attention for your child.

Tips to Safely Capturing Pictures For Your Newborn’s Photos

Follow these things to capture memories and protect your baby’s eyes.

• Opt for natural and soft light coming directly from the outside so you don’t have to use a flashlight.
• Avoid pointing the flash directly in the baby’s eyes. Maintain a fair distance.
• Be patient and capture the cute little candid moments of the baby as it feels more precious.
• Make sure the background is good and clutter-free.
• If you’re using props, make sure they’re not sharp so your baby doesn’t harm themselves.

Break The Myths and Capture Your Precious Moments with Us!

We have been hearing these misconceptions for years that a direct flashlight can harm a newborn baby’s eyes when it’s not at all true. So, don’t worry and capture a picture or two for memory, avoiding harsh light on their face. 4 Baby Ultrasound is proud to assist in your journey of parenthood and allow you to preserve as many memories as possible. With our special photography studios and sessions, you’ll leave with some heartfelt and memorable photos of your baby.