There’s a lot of talk about “Blue Light” nowadays. Everyone at some point in time has heard that digital devices can expose your eyes to this blue light. But what is blue light and why is everyone talking about it?
“Blue light is the portion of the visible light spectrum with the shortest wavelengths (400 to 500 nanometers or nm) and with the highest energy, hence it is often referred to as high-energy visible (HEV) light,” according to Dr. David Friess, OD, FAAO, of the Eyesafe Vision Health Advisory Board .
Our eyes is not very efficient at blocking blue light. As a result, blue light can reach the retina and cause damage. Blue light may increase your risk of developing Macular Degeneration. It also affects your sleep/wake cycle, emotional health and can contribute to Digital Eye Strain.
Blue light filtering glasses are a great way to reduce eye strain and sleeplessness that come with excessive screen time. This will improve comfort on digital devices and improve overall health. Blue light glasses block some of the high-energy blue light emitted from electronic devices like smartphones, computers and TVs.
What are blue light blocking glasses?
When something produces light, different colors vibrate at different wavelengths. The blue-violet light is called high energy visible (HEV) light. That’s the part that most closely resembles the sun’s potentially damaging blue light. “The average time on devices and in front of screens for adults is pushing 11 hours per day, and as such, our eyes are under a lot of digital light strain,” said Dr. Sheri Rowen, an ophthalmologist and member of the Eyesafe Vision Health Advisory Board.
Blue light blocking glasses block a percentage of this light with a special coating that reflects some of the blue light away from your eyes. How high that percentage is depends on which glasses you buy.
“The lenses are designed to help reduce the occurrence of digital eye strain and avoid circadian rhythm cycle disruption, affecting sleep and overall well-being,” Rowen said.
Benefits of blue light glasses
Our experience with modern technology is relatively young, especially the habit of spending 11 hours a day with our eyes fixed on screens.
There’s a lot we still don’t know about how this kind of use affects our eye health.
Blue light blocking glasses are often associated with two potential benefits: reduced eye strain and better sleep.
“Whenever we use our digital devices, especially late into the night, we’re actually telling our brains to keep our bodies awake,” said Caroline Dubreuil, the product marketing manager at EyeBuyDirect.
“Research shows that wearing blue light filtering glasses three to four hours before bedtime can lead to better and more restful sleep,” Dubreuil added.
Do you need blue light glasses?
If you experience eye strain or have difficulty falling asleep (especially after excessive screen time), blue light glasses can be worth looking into. They ‘ll help alleviate some of your eye strain or help you get to sleep a little more easily.
