Are Blue Light Protected Glasses Beneficial?
Blue light is a high-energy wavelength of visible light, which can be emitted from our digital screens that we all seem to be using more and more often. To “protect” us from this light, there are a plethora of blue light protected glasses everywhere. In addition we are hearing how much we need them now more than ever. So the question is do they actually work and is the extra expense worth it?
Since 2008, researchers have been studying blue-blocking or filtering products that are trying to decrease the transmission of ultraviolet light with wavelengths between 440 and 500 nanometers. Some digital devices recently began offering blue light-filtering settings to reduce the transmission of short wavelengths of light.
However it may not surprise you to hear there is some debate on whether we are adversely affected by blue light, to what degree and can blue light glasses help the problem. The Mayo Clinic explains, while blue light occurs in daylight, the waves omitting from our devices at night could be detrimental to a good night’s sleep as they may shift our circadian rhythm, the body’s internal clock. However they also say studies do not show an improvement in eye strain or better sleep quality by using blue-blocking glasses. The American Academy of Ophthalmology agrees and doesn’t recommend special eyewear for computer users.
Instead experts offer some suggestions to help diminish eyestrain and improve sleep such as monitoring the length of your screen time and to take frequent breaks. They say try the 20-20-20 rule of looking at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. In addition an updated eye exam could detect problems with your eyes and whether prescription glasses might help eyestrain.
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