What are the benefits of blue light blocking glasses?
How much time do you spend in front of a screen each day? Whether it’s a phone, a PC or laptop for work, or a TV, many of us are spending more and more time focusing on a screen. This is especially true of recent months when normal outdoor activities have been replaced by spending more time at home.
Research has shown that spending hours on end staring at a screen without much of a break can be detrimental for your eyes. One factor that is potentially responsible for this is the fact that digital screens emit blue light. The extent of damage that blue light exposure can cause isn’t fully known yet, as research is still taking place.
However, what we do know is that blue light can negatively affect your circadian rhythm – behavioral changes that follow a daily cycle and response to light and darkness, like sleeping. Natural blue light from sunlight is good for us, telling our body when it’s time to wake up in the morning. However, if you’re exposed to too much blue light in the evening, your body won’t know when it’s time to go to sleep.
These days, our instinct when we can’t sleep is to stare at a digital screen like a phone for even longer – creating a vicious cycle that ends up contributing to increased instances of digital eye strain.
Scientists are researching whether or not excessive blue light can contribute to macular degeneration, but results remain inconclusive. However, UV light (a shorter wavelength light that also comes from the sun) can increase your risk of macular degeneration so proper sun protection remains very important.
Benefits of blue light blocking glasses
Our eyes are not built to naturally block this excessive level of blue light. These short, high-energy waves of light go straight through the front surface of our eyes to the retina. So, how can you protect your eyes and reduce the amount of blue light your eyes are exposed to?
One solution that our Optometrists recommend is wearing blue blocker glasses.
The benefits of blue light blocking glasses include:
- helping to prevent digital eye strain
- keeping your circadian rhythms closer to their normal state
- Improving contrast and quality of vision by reducing computer screen glare
The best blue light blocking glasses will also have an anti-glare coating to further prevent digital eye strain. Many patients have found that they are more productive and comfortable when wearing blue blocking lenses and many patients report a reduction in their headaches and have less tired, sore eyes.
Quality lenses produced in our on-site lab
At Dr. Coward and Associates, we have an on-site optical lab at our Trenton location where we make blue light blocking glasses.
If you think you could benefit from blue blocker glasses, speak to our Optometrists in Ontario today. You can either call us or arrange a virtual consultation to discuss your options.