Many people spend hours each day staring at screens. From smartphones to computers to tablets, these devices have become an essential part of many people’s personal and professional lives.
However, this constant exposure to digital screens has raised concerns about the potential negative effects on our eyes and overall health. One solution that has gained popularity in recent years is blue light glasses.
But what exactly are these glasses, and do they live up to the hype? Keep reading to learn more about blue light glasses, their potential benefits, and whether they’re worth the investment!
What Are Blue Light Glasses?
Blue light glasses, also known as blue light blocking glasses or computer glasses, are specially designed eyewear that claims to filter out or block blue light emitted by digital screens. Blue light is a high-energy visible (HEV) light with wavelengths between 380 and 500 nanometers.
It’s naturally present in sunlight, but it’s also emitted by LED lights and the screens of digital devices. The concept behind blue light glasses is based on the idea that excessive exposure to blue light, especially in the evening, can disrupt your natural sleep-wake cycle.
This is known as the circadian rhythm. Some studies suggest that blue light exposure can suppress the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep patterns.
Additionally, prolonged screen time has been associated with digital eye strain, which can cause symptoms such as dry eyes, headaches, and blurred vision. Blue light glasses typically have lenses with a slight yellow tint, which is supposed to filter out a portion of the blue light.
Some more advanced models may use special coatings or materials in the lenses to achieve this effect. It’s important to note that blue light glasses are different from traditional computer glasses, which are primarily designed to reduce glare and enhance contrast for better vision during screen use.
How Do Blue Light Glasses Work?
The effectiveness of blue light glasses lies in their ability to selectively filter out certain wavelengths of light. The lenses are designed to block or reduce the amount of blue light that reaches the eyes while allowing other wavelengths to pass through.
One common way to accomplish this is to use a yellow-tinted lens. The yellow tint works by absorbing some of the blue light before it reaches your eyes
The idea is similar to how yellow-tinted sunglasses can enhance contrast and reduce glare in certain lighting conditions. However, the tint in blue light glasses is usually much subtler to avoid significantly altering the way you perceive colors.
More advanced blue light glasses may use special coatings or materials within the lens itself. These can be designed to reflect or absorb specific wavelengths of blue light more precisely.
Not all blue light is considered harmful. Some blue light exposure during the day is actually beneficial, as it can help regulate our circadian rhythm and boost alertness.
This is why many blue light glasses are designed to primarily filter out the higher energy blue light wavelengths while allowing some of the less intense blue light to pass through. The theory behind blue light glasses extends beyond just blocking light.
By reducing your exposure to blue light, especially in the evening hours, these glasses aim to minimize the disruption to your natural melatonin production. This, in turn, is supposed to help maintain a healthy sleep-wake cycle and potentially improve sleep quality for those who use screens close to bedtime.
Additionally, by reducing the overall amount of high-energy light reaching our eyes, blue light glasses may help alleviate some symptoms of digital eye strain.
This could potentially lead to reduced eye fatigue, fewer headaches, and improved visual comfort during extended screen use.
Do Blue Light Glasses Work for Migraines?
Whether or not blue light glasses can help migraines is a topic of ongoing debate and research in the medical community. While some people report finding relief from migraine symptoms when using blue light glasses, there is not a significant amount of scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness specifically for migraines.
Migraines are complex conditions that can have many various triggers and symptoms. Light sensitivity, known as photophobia, is a common feature of many migraine attacks.
Some migraine sufferers report that bright or flickering lights, including those from digital screens, can trigger or worsen their symptoms. The theory behind using blue light glasses for migraines is based on the idea that reducing exposure to high-energy blue light might help reduce some of this light sensitivity.
By filtering out a portion of the blue light, these glasses could potentially reduce the strain on the eyes and the stimulation of light-sensitive neurons in the brain. However, migraines are highly individual, and what works for one person may not work for another.
If you experience frequent or severe migraines, it’s important to talk to your doctor about your symptoms to develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
Are Computer Glasses Worth It?
Computer glasses, including blue light glasses, may offer benefits for some people, but whether they are not worth it for you will depend on your individual circumstances. Blue light glasses may help reduce digital eye strain, improve your sleep quality, and make your eyes feel more comfortable.
If you spend long hours on screens or have existing eye conditions, you might find them more helpful than others. If you’re wondering whether or not it might be worth it to try blue light computer glasses, ask your eye doctor at Blaine Eye Clinic.
They can help determine if blue light glasses may be beneficial for you.
Do you want to learn more about blue light glasses? Schedule an appointment at Blaine Eye Clinic in Blaine, MN, today!
