Did you know that staring at your computer screen all day can have adverse effects on your eyes? Thankfully, there are solutions for reducing the amount of blue light we are exposed to while using our devices. Blue light glasses are designed with special filters that block out the potentially harmful blue light spectrum while leaving other beneficial wavelengths in. Let’s take a look at our top five reasons you might need blue light glasses.
What is Blue Light and Why is it Harmful?
Blue light is a part of the visible light spectrum, which is the same light that comes from the sun. Some of the light that comes from electronic devices, like your computer screen, mobile phone, and TV is in the blue spectrum.
Blue light is necessary for your health, boosting alertness, aiding memory, boosting cognitive function, and elevating mood. Daytime exposure to blue light helps keep your circadian rhythms healthy, improving your sleep. Too much blue light, however, is harmful and has been linked to many negative health effects.
Reasons You Might Need Blue Light Glasses
Blue light glasses can help you block out the potentially harmful blue light from screens. By filtering out the blue light spectrum, blue light glasses can reduce the harmful effects of staring at screens for extended periods.
1. Decrease Long-term Damage
Long-term overexposure to blue light has the potential to damage retinal cells and accelerate age-related macular degeneration. It’s been shown to contribute to eye cancer, cataracts, and growths on the white part of the eye.
2. Help With Digital Eye Strain
Also known as Computer Vision Syndrome, digital eye strain is when your eyes feel tired and strained after being focused on a digital screen. Frequent culprits include mobile devices, tablets, and computers. Common symptoms of Digital Eye Strain include:
- Dry, itchy, red eyes
- Blurry vision
- Headaches
- Neck and back pain
3. Improve Disrupted Sleep
While some amount of blue light during the day is beneficial, too much blue light, especially at night, can devastate your sleep. Blue light can interfere with your body’s production of melatonin, which can send mixed signals about whether it’s time for sleep or not.
4. Fight Glare
If you work in an office with a lot of natural light, glare can be a real problem. Not only does it make it harder to focus on your screen, but it’s also harmful to your eyes. Blue light glasses can help reduce glare from light by filtering out harmful rays. That way you can work more comfortably and for longer periods of time without feeling fatigued.
5. Protect Your Eyes from Other Risks
Blue light glasses don’t just protect your eyes from harmful blue light. They also protect them from UV rays and dangers like dust and bacteria.
How Do Blue Light Glasses Help Reduce Blue Light Exposure?
- Blue light glasses reduce the harmful blue light that comes from digital devices, reducing eye strain and headaches caused by the harmful blue light
- Some blue light glasses come with special features that can help you improve your sleep, such as an amber or orange tint that filters out blue light
- Blue light glasses can also provide a number of other health benefits such as increasing vitamin D levels in your body, which can improve your mood and energy levels
How to Choose the Right Pair for You
- Make sure that any blue light glasses you choose come with UV protection; this is important because it can help to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays
- Check that any blue light glasses you choose are designed for computer use; they have special filters that can reduce the harmful blue light from a computer screen
- Comfort is another important factor to consider when choosing blue light glasses; you don’t want to wear something that makes your eyes feel irritated or uncomfortable
Getting an Eyeful
Blue light glasses are a great tool for reducing the amount of blue light you are exposed to when using your devices. Blue light is a part of the visible light spectrum, which is the same light that comes from the sun.
While some blue light is necessary for your health, too much of it is harmful. Blue light glasses can also help protect your eyes from UV rays and other risks. To maximize the benefits of blue light glasses, make sure you choose a pair that is designed for computer use and fit and comfort.
For many of us, the idea of spending less time on our devices is simply not acceptable. If we can’t be sure to limit our exposure, then the next best thing is to be proactive about getting ahead of the problem. Blue light glasses may be the perfect solution for those of us who can’t or won’t cut back on our screen time.
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