Natural indigo dye extract can protect eye

It can be used to develop optical limiters for weakening potentially harmful radiation.

New Delhi: Scientists have found that natural indigo dye, extracted from leaves of a plant of the bean family, is capable of protecting human eye from harmful laser radiation.

It can be used to develop optical limiters for weakening potentially harmful radiation and protecting the eyes and sensitive optical devices from accidental damage in an environment where lasers are in use, the Department of Science and Technology said in a statement on Saturday.

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The blue dye extracted from Indigoferatinctoria or the indigo plants has been used over the years to colour clothes. Although synthetic indigo dyes are now available, the natural variety is also in common use.

Researchers from the Raman Research Institute (RRI), and Kensri School and College, Bengaluru, studied the optical properties of natural indigo dye and found that it can protect human eyes from harmful laser radiation.

The study, funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, was published in the journal Optical Materials.

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