Question
At what age should a newborn be when exposed to the flash of a camera, and how much damage can it cause to their eyes?
Answer
Newborns’ eyes have not yet fully developed and are less tolerant to strong light. Particularly for babies under 8 months old, their maculae in the retina are still developing and cannot withstand the intense light from flashlights. This strong light may cause severe damage to the retina, especially when the distance is within 1 meter. It is recommended to use natural light as much as possible when taking photos of babies under 8 months old, or adjust the angle of the flashlight to avoid direct Irradiation on the baby’s eyes. Using a slow shutter speed and a large aperture can also yield good photos while reducing the impact on the baby’s eyes. For parents who have already used flashlights, there is no need to worry excessively; just be more cautious in future photography sessions.