Ask a doctor on the topic of Ophthalmology

Flashlight

June 5, 2013 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Can flash photography harm my eyes?

Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Good evening,

It is often written on the internet that you should not photograph babies with flash. However, this is an unnecessary warning.

The Association of German Ophthalmologists confirmed three years ago that the duration of exposure to the flash on the eye is so short that damage to the retina cannot occur.

There are also people (such as models) who are frequently photographed with flash for professional reasons, and they have welcomed this news with relief. Their frequent exposure to flashes has not led to any proven higher risk; flashing has been happening since the beginning of the century, and no damage has been known to be caused by it.

Best wishes,

Dr. Frauke Höllering