Blue Light Glasses: Do They Really Protect Your Eyes?

Have you ever considered the impact that digital screens can have on your eyes?

If so, you may have come across the term ‘blue light’ and searched for ways to safeguard against it. Blue light glasses, also known as blue light blocking glasses, are gaining in popularity as they are believed to offer protection against potential damage. But just how effective are they in promoting eye health?

Let’s delve deeper into the scientific research surrounding blue light glasses to determine their efficacy. 

What is blue light? 

Sunlight consists of a range of colours, each with a unique wavelength and energy level, such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. These colours combined create what we know as “white light” or sunlight. Blue light is one of the colours within this spectrum, and it is classified as “visible light.” Blue light has a shorter wavelength and higher energy levels, which is emitted by various light sources, with the sun being the largest source of blue light.

However, in recent years, blue light has gained attention due to its association with digital screens. Digital devices such as computers, tablets, and smartphones emit a fraction of blue light compared to the sun, but prolonged use of these devices and their proximity to our eyes have raised concerns. 

What does blue light do to your eyes?

Have you ever wondered about the effects of blue light on your eyes?

With its short wavelength, blue light can easily penetrate the eyes and reach the retina. Some experts have suggested that excessive exposure to blue light may harm the light-sensitive cells in the retina, although there is limited research to support this claim.

A study on animals has shown that blue light damage can lead to phototoxic retinal damage. Many of us spend hours staring at digital screens, which emit some blue light.

However, research has shown that the level of blue light exposure from screens is much lower than that from natural daylight.

In fact, neither level approaches the safety limits for our eyes. Therefore, the potential damage caused by blue light from digital screens is likely to be minimal, if any at all. It’s always important to take care of our eyes, but there’s no need to worry excessively about the effects of blue light from screens. 

What are blue light glasses? 

Blue light glasses, also known as blue light blocking glasses, are specially engineered eyewear that aims to lower the blue light exposure that the eyes receive.

These glasses are fitted with lenses that filter out blue light rays, thus preventing them from entering the eyes and leading to probable harm. Typically, blue light lenses have a faint yellowish hue to offset the blue light, although this detail is hardly noticeable. 

Do blue light glasses work?

While there is no denying that blue light-blocking glasses are effective in reducing the amount of blue light that enters the eyes, it is important to note that there is currently no conclusive research to suggest that they can improve or protect the health of your eyes. In simpler terms, wearing blue light-blocking glasses does not have any scientifically proven benefits for your eye health. 

 According to The College of Optometrists, the best available scientific evidence does not support the use of blue-blocking spectacle lenses in the general population to improve visual performance, alleviate eye fatigue or discomfort, improve sleep quality, or preserve macula health. Therefore, it is important to approach the use of blue light glasses with a realistic perspective and not rely on them as a solution for eye health issues.  

Do blue light glasses help with eye strain? 

Many individuals may contemplate acquiring blue light glasses due to the purported benefits of reducing eye strain when using digital devices. However, there exists insufficient empirical evidence to support the notion that blue light is responsible for causing digital eye strain.

The occurrence of eye strain while utilising digital screens can be attributed to a variety of factors. Prolonged screen time can lead to eye fatigue, while constantly shifting focus and sitting too close to the screen can strain the eye muscles. Even the reflection of glare onto digital screens from external light sources can cause eye strain. These issues are often attributed to blue light, but they are more likely to be caused by the overuse of digital devices rather than blue light itself. 

Do blue light glasses prevent retinal damage? 

Recent scientific studies have found that exposure to blue light can cause harm to the retina of the human eye. However, the efficacy of blue light-absorbing lenses in preventing or slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration is still not well-established due to the limited research conducted in this area.

Notably, there are strict safety regulations in place that limit the amount of blue light emitted by common household objects such as light bulbs and digital screens. As a result, the levels of blue light emitted by these devices are not significant enough to cause any retinal damage.

In conclusion, while blue light glasses may not be a magical solution to all eye strain and retinal damage caused by digital screens, they can be a helpful tool in reducing the impact. However, it’s important to keep in mind that there are other things you can do to protect your eyes, such as taking breaks, adjusting screen brightness, and practicing good posture. As with any health-related product, it’s important to do your own research and consult with a healthcare professional before making any decisions. Overall, while blue light glasses may not be a cure-all, they can still be a useful addition to your eye care routine.