Blue light glasses are specifically designed to block blue rays emitted from digital screens and prevent them from reaching the eyes. Of late, excessive use of digital devices, such as computers, laptops, LED screens, tablets and televisions, is causing eye strain to a lot of individuals. Blue light glasses can reduce the amount of blue light that enters the eyes because of their special coating. They filter out the most disruptive wavelengths and can help minimise digital eye strain for enhanced visual comfort. However, that’s not all; the benefits of blue light glasses stretch far beyond this. Discover in this article what they are.
What is blue light?
Blue light is a high-energy visible (HEV) light with the shortest wavelength in the visible light spectrum. It is emitted by both natural (sun) and artificial sources (digital devices). While exposure to natural blue light during the day helps in boosting alertness, regulating the sleep cycle and improving mood, prolonged exposure to artificial blue light, particularly during the night, can have negative effects, leading to computer vision syndrome and sleep disruption. This is where blue light glasses come into play and can help mitigate the effects of blue light on overall health.
Benefits of blue light glasses
Blue light glasses offer many benefits, including:
1. Reduced digital eye strain
Spending long hours staring at screens can cause digital eye strain, which is also known as Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). The major symptoms include blurry vision, dry eyes, irritation, headache, increased sensitivity to bright light and pain in the shoulders and neck. Blue light glasses can help filter the harsh rays from digital screens that cause visual fatigue, keeping the eyes comfortable throughout screen usage.
2. Better sleep quality
Using screens in the evening and night before bed can obstruct the production of melatonin (the hormone responsible for regulating sleep). This obstruction can make it difficult to fall asleep and reduce the quality of sleep. Exposure to blue light at night can also disturb the body’s internal clock, resulting in irregular sleep patterns.
3. Enhanced visual comfort
As the blue light scatters in different directions, it can lead to glare and reduced contrast on screens, making it harder for the eyes to focus. With their antireflection and specialised multilayer coating, blue light glasses can help minimise the reflections and glare from screens, offering a sharper and clearer vision.
4. UV protection
Although not all blue light blocking glasses come with UV protection, it’s an important feature to choose to protect the eyes from both UV rays and blue light. UV light is part of the invisible light spectrum and is shorter and has higher energy than blue light. While its primary source is the sun, it is also emitted by artificial sources, such as black lights, UV LEDs, tanning beds, lamps, fluorescent lights and more. This is why it’s immensely important to choose blue light glasses that offer 100% UVA and UVB protection indoors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do blue light glasses work?
While blue light glasses have been effective in limiting the amount of blue light that enters the eyes, resulting in less eye fatigue and more comfort, there has been no concrete evidence to prove that they reduce digital eye strain or enhance visual acuity.
Can blue light glasses reduce headaches?
Blue light glasses can help alleviate headaches for some individuals. However, there is no scientific evidence to prove this claim.
Are blue light glasses safe for children?
Yes, blue light glasses are completely safe for children and can help mitigate the harmful effects of blue light on their eyes because of excessive screen time.
How to check if glasses filter blue light?
There are a few tests that you can perform to know if your glasses filter blue light, such as the reflection test, the RGB Colour chart test, the pigment test and the blue light pen test.
Can I wear blue light glasses outside?
Yes, you can wear blue light glasses outside, but as they are not designed for that specific purpose, sunglasses with 100% UVA and UVB protection should be your best bet to protect against the harmful UV rays of sunlight.
Wut Win is a qualified Dispensing Optician at Feel Good Contacts and a member of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO). She is registered with the General Optical Council (GOC) and adheres to its professional guidelines. Wut graduated from City & Islington College with a Diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing in 2006 and has over 17 years of experience. She has worked with several leading high street opticians, dispensing eyewear, including prescription glasses and sunglasses. Wut has also assisted children with autism and special needs through the Special School Eyecare Service.
