Blue light is a type of light that has a wavelength of around 450 to 480 nanometers. Blue light can be found in daylight as well as in artificial sources such as LEDs, CFLs, and fluorescent lights. Blue light glasses are not the same thing as sunglasses with blue lenses, which can protect your eyes from ultraviolet (UV) light but not blue light.
The blue light glasses you see advertised are actually phototherapy glasses that have been specially designed to filter out certain wavelengths of light and not just any old pair of blue-tinted glasses. These products are designed to block the harmful effects of artificial blue light sources by filtering out the damaging rays. Let’s take a look at the basics of how blue light glasses work, and how they can help you.
What Are the Effects of Blue Light?
Blue light has several ways in which it’s not good for your eyes. We need natural blue light to keep our bodies functioning. Artificial blue light, such as from a mobile device, has been shown to have a negative effect on our sleep. It can affect our circadian rhythm and make us feel more awake when we should be winding down for the day. This can lead to poor sleep quality and even mood disorders like depression and anxiety.
In a more immediate sense, spending too much time looking at mobile devices, tablets, and computer screens can cause Computer Vision Syndrome. Computer Vision Syndrom is also known as Digital Eye Strain.
If you’ve ever rubbed your eyes after a long day working in front of a screen, you were probably feeling the effects of Digital Eye Strain; itchy, red, and dry eyes are one of the most common symptoms. Headaches, blurry vision, and neck pain are also to be expected with Digital Eye Strain. The long-term effects of frequent blue light exposure may be as severe as macular degeneration, cataracts, and eye cancer.
How Do Blue Light Glasses Work?
Blue light glasses work by filtering out certain wavelengths of light. They are designed to block the blue light that can damage your eyes from your computer, phone, and other artificial light sources. Blue light glasses are typically made of special materials like blue light filtering lenses or green-tinted lenses with blue light-blocking filters. If you have a prescription, you can also buy blue light glasses with prescription lenses.
Benefits of Blue Light Glasses
Blue light glasses are designed to protect your eyes from blue light and reduce glare and eye strain from light sources like computer screens, smartphones, and TVs. They can also reduce headaches and improve sleep when used before bedtime. This is especially important for people who do a lot of screen-based work, like programmers and graphics designers.
The blue light from computer screens can slowly damage your retina, leading to eye diseases like macular degeneration. Blue light glasses may help protect your sleep patterns too. Artificial blue light can delay your circadian rhythm and make it harder to fall asleep. Wearing blue light glasses before bed may help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and have a better quality of sleep.
What to Look For in Blue Light Glasses
You can buy blue light-blocking glasses in a variety of styles, such as reading glasses, sunglasses, or even safety goggles. If you decide to buy them online, make sure you’re buying a pair of blue light-blocking glasses and not just a pair of blue-tinted sunglasses. Blue light-blocking glasses are primarily designed for artificial light; our bodies need the natural blue light provided by the sun.
What Blue Light Glasses Do Not Do
Blue light glasses are not designed to improve your vision, nor are they safety glasses. They aren’t a substitute for regular eye care, nor will they cure existing eye problems. If you’re having eye problems beyond the usual Digital Eye Strain symptoms, you may want to make an appointment with your eye doctor.
Eye for an Eye
Blue light can have a negative effect on your eyes, sleep, and overall health. Blue light glasses can protect your eyes from blue light and help you avoid the negative health effects of blue light. They reduce glare and eye strain from light sources like computer screens, smartphones, and TVs. They can also reduce headaches and improve sleep when used before bedtime.
It’s important to not rely on blue light glasses to protect your eyes like safety glasses or expect them to improve your vision. They won’t cure existing eye problems. Make sure to keep up with regular eye care.
We hope this has shed some helpful light on the subject of blue light glasses. If you’re among the many millions who spend all day looking at a screen, blue light glasses may be right for you.