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Can A Camera Flash Harm An Infant's Eyes?

Posted on Mon, 24 Oct 2016

Question: Hi my new born baby was exposed to the iPhone flashlight just a foot away from her face. It was on torch mode and she immediately shut her eyes ( but not completely) I am worried that the light would have damaged her eyes. She is about 6 weeks old. Can such light cause blindness or eye damage? Do I get her examined.

Answered by Dr. N K Mishra (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No damage done.

Detailed Answer:
My dear,
Thanks for sending your query to us.
There is defence mechanism in the eye to take care of such eventuality.The pupil constricts immediately then control the amount of light entering the eye.Do not worry.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. N K Mishra (3 hours later)

So not to worry even if the torchlight was on her for about twenty seconds? My nephew is a small boy and he flashed her with the iPhone torch near her face twice. Each time about 10 seconds. I tried same with my eye and got a small spot of flash blindness on my eye for 5 mins. So it was bring light. So was worried. My husband also said that doctors would flash a equally bright light when they operate eyes and that it would not damage her eyes, just make her uncomfortable. Is it true?

Answered by Dr. N K Mishra (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No damage done

Detailed Answer:
My dear,
Good of you to get back to me.
I appreciate your concern and your husband rightly pointed out that when we examine the children the exposure may be the same or at times longer.Do not worry,body has tremendous reserves and healing in children is quick.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj