How do blue light glasses work?

Blue light lenses

Let’s face it, we are constantly surrounded by screens on a daily basis. The COVID-19 pandemic has made avoiding digital devices even harder.

Whether it be working from home in front of a computer for a solid eight hours a day, video chatting with loved ones, or watching TV for entertainment, screens are involved in most work and social activities these days.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, The Vision Council found that around 80% of American adults use digital devices for more than two hours a day, and almost 67% use two devices simultaneously. All of this screen time takes a toll on your eyes, and some may feel the effects of digital eye strain more than others.

Luckily, there are a number of solutions available to help mitigate the symptoms of digital eye strain.

Blue light and digital eye strain

After a long day working on the computer or even after a fun (and social distancing compliant) video game session with friends, do you find your eyes to be dry and tired or experience blurry vision? These are the main symptoms of digital eye strain and are what The Vision Council estimated nearly 60% of Americans experience.

While a major cause of this irritation is a lack of blinking while viewing screens, overexposure of blue light from screens can raise the risk of eye disease, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The blue light emitted from devices can also throw off sleep patterns when you’re on your phone or computer late at night.

While there’s no doubt that constant exposure to blue light is not beneficial for your eyes, digital eye strain is typically caused by a number of factors linked to how we use digital devices, and blue light is just one.

Do blue light glasses help?

Blue light glasses are treated to filter out blue light to effectively block the transmission of a range of wavelengths emitted from devices. Many times, these glasses are also treated to prevent glare to further lessen the strain on the eyes, explained All About Vision.

Ultimately, blue light glasses can help you feel more refreshed after facing a screen all day, but if you experience blurry vision or dry eyes, it’s also important to change how you use your devices to effectively reduce eye strain.

Taking care of your vision health is a crucial component of your overall wellness. Contact your eye care professional to determine whether or not blue light lenses or other lens treatments are right for you.

Sources

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