You’ve probably seen blue light glasses in online commercials and wondered what they were. Or, you may have even been advised by your doctor to start wearing them.
Blue light glasses are made with lenses designed to reduce the amount of blue light that reaches the eye. These lenses filter blue light rays and help prevent them from causing potential damage to your eyes. So if you’ve been wearing pink glasses all the time, oblivious to potentially damaging surroundings, this is your sign to start wearing blue light glasses.
No, they are not some novelty or a fashion addition that will fade away. If you notice that you are feeling blue… it can be blue light that is impacting your eyes and the overall quality of your life.
We’ll discuss what blue light is, how it affects our bodies, and whether or not we need to start wearing glasses to protect ourselves from it. By the end, you should better understand this relatively new type of eyewear.
What is Blue Light?
Sunlight contains many different colours of light (including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet). These colours come from specific wavelengths that have different levels of energy. Combined, they create what we call "white light" (or sunlight).
One type of light in the colour spectrum is blue light. This type of light is generally known as 'visible light. Visible light has shorter wavelengths and higher energy levels than other colours in the spectrum. Different sources emit different amounts of blue light. Sunlight is one large source, but there are also many man-made sources. Most recent research points to a link between digital screens and exposure to blue lights.
And this is where we are reaching the root of this issue. Do you remember when your mom was telling you not to sit too close to the TV? Well, it seems like she had a good point back then, no matter how irritating that was.
Computers, tablets, smartphones and digital screens all emit blue light. Although this is only a fraction of the light emitted by the sun, people are using these devices for long hours and getting close to them, which has caused some concern about their potential long-term consequences on eye health.
The Impact On Your Eyes
Blue light has a short wavelength, which makes it very easy for it to penetrate the eyes. This means that almost all visible blue light rays can pass through the cornea and lens to the retina (the lining of the back of the eye). Blue light has the potential to damage the light-sensitive cells in the retina.
Although blue light exposure from screens is much less than the amount of sun exposure, there's still worry about the long-term effects of screen exposure from digital devices. This is especially true with how often screens are used nowadays.
With most of us going remotely, our day often looks like this: you are working on your computer. After that, you relax by watching tv or scrolling through your social media. After that, you read on Kindle for a while. Imagine that stress in your eyes. Dry eyes, eye strain and some other symptoms like headaches, shoulder pain and stiffness of your neck can be some really nasty symptoms caused by prolonged exposure to blue light.
Do Bluelight Glasses Actually Work?
It's a common question we get asked, and the answer is… yes! Bluelight glasses do work to reduce the harmful effects of blue light exposure. These glasses provide added protection from eye fatigue during the day. But how exactly do they work?
The science behind it is pretty simple. Blue light glasses have a special coating that filters out the blue light wavelengths from your line of sight. This helps to protect your eyes from the damaging effects of blue light, like digital eye strain and sleep disruption.
So if you're looking for a way to reduce your exposure to harmful blue light, grab a pair of blue light glasses and give them a try!
What Are The Benefits Of Using Blue Light Glasses?
Some of the important benefits of wearing blue light glasses include
- Reducing eye strain: Blue light from screens can cause eye strain and fatigue. Wearing blue light glasses can help reduce these symptoms.
- Improving sleep: Blue light disrupts our natural sleep cycles. Wearing blue light glasses in the evening can help us get better sleep.
- Preventing age-related macular degeneration: Blue light is a risk factor for age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of vision loss in older adults. Wearing blue light glasses can help reduce this risk.
How Do I Know If I Need Blue Light Glasses?
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may need blue light glasses:
- Recently, you have been experiencing insomnia.
- You often have problems with blurred vision or watery eyes
- All of a sudden you are experiencing light sensitivity.
- You spend 10 + hours on different kinds of screens.
- You find it difficult to focus on tasks that require sustained attention
Of course, you need to change your lifestyle and make better choices. But buying glasses seems like a great start.
Can You Wear Blue Light Glasses All Day?
Yes, you can wear blue light glasses all day. In fact, many people find them more comfortable to wear than regular glasses. There is no danger of damaging your eyes.
What Do Eye Doctors Say About Blue Light Glasses?
Eye doctors are largely supportive of blue light glasses as a way to protect the eyes from the harmful effects of blue light.
Wearing blue light glasses is a simple and effective way to reduce your exposure to blue light. Tinted lenses are more effective at blocking blue light, but they can make it more difficult to see your screen.
If you spend a lot of time staring at screens, eye doctors recommend wearing blue light glasses for two to three hours per day. You can also use them as needed if you start to experience symptoms of eye strain or fatigue.