Telecommuting, homeschooling, and interacting with others through digital devices have made us spend more time staring at screens. We are constantly exposed to the blue light emitted by mobile phones and similar instruments. Eye health concerns have led many people to turn to blue light-filtering glasses. In this article, we are talking about anti-blue light glasses. Stay with us.
What is blue light?
Blue light is one of the types of visible light in the range of human vision. This light is emitted by electronic devices, LED lights, and even the sun and has a short wavelength of 450 to 495 nm. It means that it has a higher frequency than other types of light.
We are exposed to the blue light of the sun during the day. The blue light of the sun regulates our circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythm is a natural cycle related to sunlight that affects the sleep and wake cycle, blood pressure, mood, and many other body processes. The blue light emitted by the sun makes us alert and active during the day, and not being exposed to it at night signals to the body that it’s time to sleep.
More use of digital devices due to the corona epidemic has made us constantly exposed to blue light.
More exposure to blue light due to corona
According to numerous types of research, the duration of using digital tools has increased significantly for almost all age groups after the coronavirus epidemic.
93.6% of adults participating in research in 2022 said that their time using digital tools increased by almost 3 to 5 hours daily during the Corona quarantine.
62.4% of subjects reported experiencing sleep disturbances due to increased digital device use, and nearly all participants said at least one symptom of excessive digital device use, such as eye health concerns.
Research about blue light
Some experts believe that excessive exposure to blue light from digital devices may cause problems with mental health, sleep, and diet, and others have raised concerns about the risk of eye health due to exposure to blue light, which has caused people to wear anti-aging glasses. Be interested in blue light. Sales of blue light filtering glasses are booming, and many eyeglass manufacturing companies have reported a significant increase in demand for this type of glasses. However, research has not found a link between poor eye health and exposure to blue light. Blue light-blocking glasses are probably more exciting than helpful.
Some researchers have claimed that there is no evidence that blue light causes eye damage. Additionally, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), no scientific evidence exists of eye damage caused by light emitted from screens. For this reason, this organization does not recommend special glasses for working with computers.
According to the academy, it has never been proven that the amount of light emitted from a computer screen causes eye disease. Studies have also shown no measurable UVA or UVB radiation (the most harmful part of light) from computer screens. However, it is essential to remember that research in this area is relatively new. The long-term effects of blue light are not yet known, and recommendations may change over time.
What are anti-blue light glasses?
The lenses of these glasses do not pass the blue light emitted by digital screens. The suppliers of these glasses usually make many claims about them. Some manufacturers say these glasses protect your eyes from eye pressure and reduce possible retinal damage from prolonged exposure to blue light. In the rest of the article, we validate these claims.
Blue anti-glare glasses; Exciting or valuable?
Currently, glasses that filter blue light have become more popular. Blue light protective glasses have special lenses that are said to block the blue light emitted from the screen. However, it seems that these glasses do not have many benefits.
The American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDF) claims that there is no evidence that blue light is harmful to eye health. According to the foundation, UV glasses may be helpful for sun protection, but blue light protective glasses do not.
According to this organization, the blue light emitted from the sun and the blue light emitted from electronic devices are very different. While most research supports the protective effect of sunglasses against the sun’s UV rays, results are conflicting regarding the blue light emitted by electronic devices.
In 2021, a trial found that the glasses participants wore while working on the computer did not alter eye fatigue symptoms. According to the research results, the researchers believe that it is unlikely that the blue light emitted from electronic devices is the cause of eye problems.
Can electronic devices cause eye strain?
Yes, gadgets like cell phones and computers can cause eye strain, mainly if used for long periods. Staring at a screen for long periods reduces blinking, leading to eye fatigue symptoms.
Dr. Nicole Bajic, an ophthalmologist, says in this context: “Many people suffer from eye discomfort caused by digital screens, but most of these problems are caused by a condition called computer vision syndrome (CVS), sometimes also known as digital eye strain. It will be.”
90% of people who use digital devices suffer from digital eye fatigue. The symptoms of this condition are:
- dry eyes ;
- blurred vision ;
- headache ;
- neck and shoulder pain ;
- sensitivity to light ;
- difficulty concentrating;
- eye irritation ;
- itchy eyes
However, it is essential to know that eye strain is caused by how we use digital devices, not the devices themselves or the blue light emitted by them. You can improve eyestrain to a great extent with some measures.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, most symptoms of eye strain caused by looking at computers or devices are temporary.
How to prevent eye fatigue?
Eye strain can be very uncomfortable, but it is usually temporary, and you can reduce its effects with some practical strategies. Some of the factors that may contribute to eye fatigue are:
- the small distance between the eyes and the screen;
- staring at the screen;
- Improper posture;
- Insufficient light.
Some of the recommendations of the American Academy of Ophthalmology to prevent eye fatigue are:
- Check the distance between your face and the screen. Ideally, this distance should be about 60 cm.
- Adjust the light in your room. Low light makes you stare more at the screen.
- Use artificial tear drops to increase eye moisture and reduce discomfort with dry eyes.
- If the ophthalmologist has prescribed glasses for working with digital tools, be sure to use them.
- Take your eyes off the screen every 20 minutes and look at an object 6 meters away. Keep looking for at least 20 seconds. By doing this, you give your eyes regular breaks.
Anti-blue light glasses and increase the quality of sleep
Using digital devices, especially in the evenings, may affect the quality of our sleep. In today’s modern world, we are constantly exposed to blue light from cell phones, laptops, and other digital devices. This means our natural circadian rhythm may not work as it should, and we may not feel sleepy when we go to bed.
According to some studies, anti-blue light glasses help improve sleep. Of course, these researches have been recently conducted and need further investigation.
Regarding sleep quality, another technique is to turn off digital devices at least 1 hour before bed to prepare your body for sleep. Since some people feel that wearing blue light-blocking glasses helps them sleep better, it doesn’t hurt to try it.
final word
According to research that has proven that anti-blue light glasses do not have much effect on reducing the symptoms of eye fatigue, it is better to learn to use electronic devices properly instead of spending money and buying them.
you say
When most of us cannot limit the use of computers, tablets, and mobile phones in our daily lives, how can we minimize the negative consequences of using these devices? Do you have experience with blue light glasses? Please share your thoughts and valuable experiences with us.
Warning! This article is only for educational purposes; to use it, it is necessary to consult a doctor or specialist.
