Introduction
Several cases have been reported of persons visualizing in the ultraviolet (UV) light. It must be a very strange world for such persons to be visualizing the UV light as the only source of light within their range of visual perception. Though this circumstance might sound strange, persons visualizing through the UV light are common, especially among individuals suffering from Aphakia (Diffey, 2002, p. 23).
Seeing in the UV light limits the wavelength of light rays to just 280nm or even lower. This applies to the three types of UV light. Thus, a person seeing in the UV light must be visualizing a dull violet or blue glow since the visual light, and the low-end spectrum interact. Such an individual must be having a higher sensitivity to the low wavelength. Unfortunately, excessive exposure to this blue-violet light is very harmful to blind persons since UV light is associated with snow blindness, especially when the cornea becomes sunburned. In the end, the blind eye will become very sensitive to any form of UV lights such as forms A, B, and C (Cesarini, 2001, p. 312).
Besides, excessive exposure to UV lights might make the victim’s skin to be very reactive to stimuli and may easily attract pimple, inflammation, and rash, among others. The occurrence of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is common in skin exposed to UV light over a long period of time. For instance, the UV types B and C are associated with erythema, which might catalyze the occurrence of skin cancer since the UV light has a wavelength of less than 280nm (Cesarini, 2001, p. 313).
From the above reflection, it is in order to state that longer exposure to UV light is dangerous to the skin and the cones of a victim. Excessive exposure to UV light should be minimized to safeguard such an individual from the destructive wavelength of below 280nm. Despite the fact that UV light is harmful, moderate exposure might not cause any serious harm. Specifically, the blue or violet glow as visualized by blind persons remains a mystery (Cesarini, 2001, p. 311).
Response to a friend’s post
Just like my friend’s observation, I also noted that UV light has a wavelength of 280nm and below. Besides, those suffering from Aphakia often visualize UV light as either a blue or a violet glow. In addition, we concluded that moderate exposure to UV light is not as harmful as an intense and long term exposure to type B and C.
Despite the similarity in observations, we differed in the description of the UV light. My friend observed that the blue sensors are more adaptive to picking the UV light, while I was of the opinion that the violet and the blue glow pick the UV light equally since different individuals have a different visual observations.
Personal reflection
The other way that the UV light-sensitive vision effects changed my life was the enormous potential it has in understanding different visual perceptions and their significance towards the effects of light. I would be able to see in the wavelength range between 400nm to 600nm. Within this wavelength range, I am in a position to read a book and see my friends. This wavelength is safe for my skin. I might avoid excessive exposure to direct sunlight to stay safe from the harmful effects of UV light, such as skin cancer.
References
Cesarini, P. (2001). Impact of light in building on human health. Indoor and Built Environment Journal, 10(1), 310-316.
Diffey, B. (2002). Sources and measurement of ultraviolet radiation. New York, NY: Academic Press.