Blue Light - what is the fuss
It seems that everyone is talking about blue light, and how it can be damaging to the eyes, but is it something you really need to worry about?
Most of our blue light exposure comes from the sun, along with UV exposure. However as our lives have become more digital we are exposed to blue light from our laptops, tablets phones, etc.
Are Digital Screens Exposing Us To Damaging Blue Light
We’ve all heard the stories that our digital screens emanate blue light and that excessive screen time can damage our eyes, however, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) there is no scientific evidence that blue light from too much screen time causes damage to our eyes.
The most likely cause of eye discomfort from excessive screen time is digital eye strain. Most people blink far less when staring at a screen, which can lead to dry eyes and eye strain.
Eye strain and dry eyes from screen exposure does not cause lasting damage and is easily preventable or treatable. It has been proven that blue light from digital screen, phones, and even TV’s does effect our natural sleep and wake cycle known as our circadian rhythm, according to the Centre for Disease Control CDC exposure to these lighted screens during the period leading up to bedtime can make it difficult for you to fall asleep at night, or can wake you up too early.
Do Blue Light Blocking Glasses Work
Blue light filtering lenses are designed and manufactured to filter blue-violet light, both from natural light sources (the sun) and artificial light sources (digital screens), while allowing the beneficial red, yellow, and orange light to pass through, so you can benefit from them whilst out and about, during screen time, and watching TV.
What Are The Benefits Of Blue Light Filtering Glasses
As you’d expect, blue light filtering glasses filter out the harmful blue light from the light spectrum, whilst allowing the beneficial light through. You can benefit from blue light filtering glasses
During the Day
The sun still emits blue light even when it’s shady and too dark to wear sunglasses. Blue light glasses will filter blue-light and UV rays whilst not altering the amount of light let through to your eyes.
At Work
Whether you need prescription glasses or not, blue light glasses can help filter the blue light emitted from your PC and laptop screens, as well as your phone, TV, etc. Some people find this helps with eye strain and dry eyes, as well as helping you keep a good circadian pattern of sleep and wake.
General Eye Protection
Blue light can cause long-term damage to your eyes, increasing the risk of cataracts, Age-Related Macular degeneration AMD, and some eye cancers
Wearing blue light filtering glasses to help filter out the harmful blue light and UV rays can be part of your long-term eye health strategy.
Are All Blue Filter Lenses The Same
No, different types of lenses will filter different amounts of blue light, some also reduce glare and improve contrast.
If you want your glasses to filter out blue light from your digital screen, then look for glasses that filter over 40% of blue light.
Before deciding if blue light-filtering glasses are for you here are a couple of things to consider-
- Some blue light filtering glasses have a slight blue reflection on the lenses. This shouldn’t alter your vision, but other people may see it when looking at you from certain angles or under different light conditions
- You may notice a slight yellow tint if you hold the glasses against a white background. This shouldn’t affect your vision quality, although some wearers say it can make colours appear warmer, this is particularly noteworthy if you rely on acute colour perception.
Do Contact Lenses Filter Blue Light
While most contact lenses filter harmful UVA and UVB light, the same can not be said about Blue Light, until very recently NO contact lenses filtered blue light. However, Jonson and Johnson have recently launched an Acuvue lens that does filter blue light, Acuvue Oasys Max 1 Day.
Johnson and Johnson have acknowledged our increase use of digital devices and the effects this extra exposure to blue light has on our eyes, and as such have included an OptiBlue™ Light Filter, enabling these contact lenses to filter approximately 60% of blue-violet light, whilst also containing the highest classification of UV blocking available in contact lenses. Excitingly for some, these are also available as a Multifocal Lens.
Conclusion
Some people find that exposure to blue light gives them eye strain and/or, dry eyes. Athough there is not scientific evidence that exposure to blue light is harming our ours in the short term, there is evidence that long-term exposure makes us more susceptible to eye damage, and that blue light affects our circadian rhythm. So whether you choose to wear blue light filtering glasses just for work, just when gaming or all the time will depend on your lifestyle, your health, and maybe your age.
Discuss your needs and options for blue filtering lenses with your optometrist at your next appointment.
