Ever had this tingly feeling that something you’re doing is definitely going to affect you or already is? I know I do, especially when using my phone or computer for extended hours. One helpful tip we have championed is the 20-20-20 rule. This encourages modern day screen users (that we all are) to practice taking a break from the screen to look at anything that is 20 feet away, for at least 20 seconds, before returning to our screen. This is in order to give the eyes some time to rest.
Tips like these have become necessary due to the fact that we are (increasingly) exposed to harmful rays of light emanating from the screens of our devices.
Sunlight, which is the earth’s number one source of light, contains a number of colored lights. One of which is blue light. Although it has other man-made sources, in recent years blue light has gained notoriety. Due of its link to digital screens (Computers, tablets, smartphones and other digital screens all emit blue light).
Blue light glasses (or blue light blocking glasses) are glasses with lenses specifically designed to reduce the amount of blue light that reaches the eye. These lenses filter blue light rays to help prevent them from entering the eye.
Usually, blue light lenses have a slight yellow tint (to counterbalance the blue light), although this isn’t usually noticeable.
Do blue light glasses work?
While blue light blocking glasses are effective at reducing the amount of blue light that enter the eyes, there is no current research to suggest that this can improve or protect the health of your eyes. Put simply, there is no scientifically-proven benefit of wearing blue light blocking glasses for your eye health.
Do blue light blocking glasses help with eye strain?
Some people may consider getting blue light glasses because of claims that they can help to reduce eye strain when using digital devices. However, there is not enough research evidence to suggest that blue light causes digital eye strain in the first place.
When using digital screens, eye strain can occur for a number of reasons. If you spend too long concentrating and looking at a screen, then your eyes can become fatigued. Also, your eyes have to shift focus constantly while looking at screens. And sitting too close can strain your eye muscles as they try to focus on such a close image.
If you wear glasses, glare reflected onto your digital screen or glasses lenses from surrounding light sources (such as bright office lights, or a nearby window) can also cause your eyes to squint and strain.
It’s easy for these issues to be labelled as a result of blue light. However, it’s more likely that these problems are simply caused by the overuse of digital devices. And not blue light itself. Most times, eye fatigue is due to digital eye strain, and blue light damage is rare, if at all.
Do blue light glasses prevent retinal damage?
Cell culture experiments and animal studies have determined that blue light can damage the retina of your eye. However, there is not enough research evidence to suggest that blue light absorbing devices (such as blue light lenses) are beneficial. That is, for reducing the risk or progression of retinal conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Alongside this, many regulations have been put in place to limit the amount of blue light emitted by everyday objects. Due to these safety limits, the levels of blue light that are emitted from objects like light bulbs and digital screens are not high enough to cause retinal damage. This means that wearing blue light blocking glasses when using digital screens is not really necessary.
Good and healthy practice is however encouraged. And one of such to go by, would be to take breaks as often as possible. Give your eyes sometime off the screen before returning to use it.
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