The popularity of blue light-blocking glasses goes beyond the pandemic to much earlier days. And as our lifestyle increasingly shifts online, our digital screen exposure also rises meteorically. Since there is no option, we keep staring at our laptops and smartphones incessantly throughout the day and late into the night. But we do have an option of wearing glasses that block out the blue light emitted from the screens.
But how effective are blue light glasses? Are they effective at all?
Before you decide on buying these popular glasses online, let us first find out fact from fiction.
Do blue glasses really work?
Glasses that block out this blue light are primarily marketed as a solution to protect our retina from damage and prevent eye strain. However, experts say that blue light glasses do not really work in these ways.
The blue light from our phone and laptop screens is of high energy and low wavelength, and with prolonged exposure, can harm our retina. It can also impair the natural production of melatonin, which in turn can cause sleep disturbances. By blocking out blue light radiation, these glasses can prevent sleep disruptions, especially when we are exposed to blue light at night or during evenings.
These glasses come with a specialized filter or coating on the lens that can reflect the “blue” spectrum of light. So, it essentially functions by reflecting and bouncing off the incoming blue light rays from the surface and does not allow them to penetrate and reach our eyes.
What are the benefits of using blue light-blocking glasses?
By now, it is clear that a potential advantage of wearing blue light glasses is better sleep quality. Since blue light waves are high-energy, they tend to stimulate our brain cells and turn them on. This causes us to struggle with falling asleep after working on our laptop late into the night. So, when we do not have an option to limit our digital screen time, wearing blue light glasses can help us.
Some studies suggest that blue light glasses might also help prevent fatigue of the eye muscles. This is very similar to how anti-glare glasses work.
Can you wear blue light glasses every day?
Yes, we can wear blue light glasses everyday while using our laptops or mobile phones. There is no evidence to suggest that blue light glasses are detrimental to our health in any way, though they might not be particularly effective in stopping digital eye strain.
However, in case of recurring headaches or any problem with vision, you must first consult with a registered optometrist or ophthalmologist.
Final words
Keeping aside tall marketing claims, we can conclude that blue light glasses might actually be effective if you invest in a good pair. However, it is crucial to buy from a reputed optical store online or offline, since many brands do not effectively block out blue light radiation. Investing in the right pair of blue light glasses from the right place is vital for safeguarding our eye health.