What do blue light glasses do?
Blue light glasses filter some of the high-energy blue-violet light emitted from electronic devices like smartphones, computers and TVs. Even your average indoor light bulb can give off blue light.
Blue light glasses go by a few different names. You might hear them called blue light blocking glasses or blue light filter glasses. Sometimes, they're just called blue blockers. Even though many types of blue light glasses are called ‘blue-light blocking,’ it’s more accurate to say that they filter light.
Could you benefit from blue light filtering glasses? Let's find out.
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How blue light filtering glasses work
When something produces light, different colors vibrate at different wavelengths. The blue-violet light is called high energy visible (HEV) light. That's the part that most closely resembles the sun's potentially damaging blue light.
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Naturally, artificial blue light is much weaker than the sun's blue light. But the average American now spends so much of their time indoors in front of digital screens that the lower rate of exposure starts to add up.
"The average time on devices and in front of screens for adults is pushing 11 hours per day, and as such, our eyes are under a lot of digital light strain," said Dr. Sheri Rowen, an ophthalmologist and member of the Eyesafe Vision Health Advisory Board.
Blue light glasses filter a percentage of this light with a special coating that reflects some of the blue light away from your eyes. It’s important to note that blue light glasses typically filter blue-violet light, which is higher energy, but not blue-turquoise light, which impacts sleep/wake cycles. How high the percentage and the type of blue light that is filtered depends on which glasses you buy.
Some blue light glasses have a yellow tint, while others look clear. Typically, lenses that look more yellowed tend to filter more blue light than their clearer counterparts.
"The best first step is to consult with an eye care professional who will help ascertain your needs for protection," Rowen said. This will ensure your blue light glasses filter the correct type of blue light for your desired purpose.
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Do you really need blue light filter glasses?
It might help to approach blue light glasses from a trial-and-error point of view.
To help with eye comfort (especially after excessive screen time), blue light glasses can be worth looking into.
Some people swear by them, while others don't see much of a benefit.
Online retailers like Eyebuydirect and Zenni Optical sell prescription and non-prescription blue-violet light filtering glasses for significantly less than most eyeglass stores, so the risk to your wallet will be minimal if they don't work out.
Practicing good screen hygiene
With or without blue light glasses, practicing eye-friendly screen habits is a guaranteed way to reduce your eye strain and the effects of computer vision syndrome.
Symptoms of digital eye strain often include blurry vision, headaches and dry eyes. The strain of focusing on screens may even trigger ocular migraines.
The 20-20-20 rule is easy to remember and practice: For every 20 minutes you're using a digital screen, look at an object at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Lifestyle adjustments like regular practice of the 20-20-20 rule, taking extended screen breaks and using your phone's dark mode can supplement any benefits you experience with blue light filtering glasses.
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