Can Flashing A Camera Light Cause Harm To A Baby's Eyes?

Posted on Tue, 26 Sep 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 26 Sep 2017 Answered on

Wed, 18 Oct 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello Doctor,

I have a 2 weeks old baby. We went for his passport application today and the person taking his photo flashed camera light in his eyes around 4-5 times. He tried to take the correct photo around 20 times but baby's eyes were open in around 4-5 times.
I am afraid if this would have done some harm to the baby's eyes.
Request for your advice.

Thanks & Regards,
Ashish

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Do not worry - camera flash light does not harm the retina

Detailed Answer:
Hi... do not worry about it please. The camera flash light does not cause any harm to the retina.

There are many reasons for it like - the baby's pupils are smaller and unlike adults the babies do not look directly into the flashlight. Moreover the camera flash light is not so powerful to cause any damage to the retina or the optical mechanism of the eye. So do not worry about your baby getting eye damage due to photography with flash light.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad