We sit at computer and phone screens all day. It’s no wonder our eyes hurt and we develop eye strain related conditions like tension headaches, blurred vision, itchy, watery, tired eyes, and tightness and pain in our neck and shoulders. If you’ve been dealing with any of these types of issues, you could be suffering from overexposure to blue light.
Blue light is light that is emitted from the sun and also from electronic devices like computer screens and smartphones. High energy visible light, also referred to as “HEV” or “blue light,” can be damaging to our eyes and over time, potentially cause eye damage that might be irreversible.
Additionally, staring at screen’s all day can lead to computer vision syndrome, or “CVS.” This is a condition wherein a user’s eyes experience irritation from being exposed to the light that is emitted from the screens they face. Symptoms of CVS can include eye irritation, redness, dryness, itchiness, watery and weepy eyes.
It’s pretty clear we won’t be discontinuing our usage of technology anytime soon, but the issues we experience by being in front of a screen all day are real, and we really need some relief from eye irritation. Thankfully, there are measures we can take which can help. We can incorporate the use of blue light glasses.
If you’ve never heard of blue light glasses, we have your complete guide to everything blue light glasses related, including five benefits of wearing them. Read on.
What Are Blue Light Glasses?
Blue light glasses are specialty eyewear that are outfitted with specialized lenses that are able to filter and/or block much of the blue light that our eyes receive from our devices. Through the use of specially tinted lenses (that do not change the colors you see naturally), these glasses prevent the passage of blue light into your retinas. Blue light glasses are not prescription glasses, therefore no prescription is needed to wear them. However, if you normally wear prescription glasses, it is possible to get blue light refracting lenses in your particular prescription.
Because blue light glasses are not a prescription lense, you don’t need to have a prescription or even visit your eye doctor to grab a pair. You can buy a pair of blue light glasses from a trusted online retailer. You can also grab frames that are completely fashionable and fit your sense of style. There’s no need to sacrifice style to protect your eyes.
Here are our top five benefits of wearing blue light glasses.
- Blue light glasses help prevent eye irritation. Tired eyes that have been focused on a blue light emitting screen all day can be itchy, dry, red, and bloodshot. Alternatively, some users may have eyes that are watery and weepy. If you find yourself continually in need of soothing, relieving eye drops throughout the day or at least by day’s end, you may be suffering from CVS. You’re likely a good candidate for blue light glasses, which can protect your eyes from harmful blue light and alleviate eye irritation associated with CVS.
- Blue light glasses can help your eyes stay focused longer. The longer we stare at our computer screens, the harder it is for our eyes to focus. Our eyes get tired like any other part of our bodies. You may begin to experience this midday, after you’ve been seated at work for a few hours, or maybe not until the evening when you’ve finished your work. Your eyes can feel tired, and this is because you are likely squinting and straining to see the words on your computer. Even if you don’t struggle to see the words (in other words, you don’t need prescription glasses) you may strain and squint because your eyes have become tired. Blue light glasses work to prevent this by filtering blue light away from your eyes, which makes it easier for your eyes to focus without straining.
- Blue light glasses help reduce the amount of blue light entering your retina. Blue light is dangerous to the eyes due to the fact that blue light is able to reach deep into your eye and reach the retina, where it can potentially damage your eye. The retina is where damage occurs. This damage, if it occurs, is not reversible. The only way to prevent blue light from reaching the retina is to wear specialized blue light glasses, which can effectively filter out blue light and keep your eyes healthy.
- Blue light glasses are affordable. You won’t have to pay an arm and a leg (or an eye) for a pair of blue light glasses. They’re extremely affordable and if you purchase them from a reputable retailer, they will be built to last. You can generally get a pair of blue light glasses for less than $100, a small investment that will pay huge dividends into the overall health of your eyes by protecting them from harmful blue light rays.
- Blue light glasses are comfortable and stylish. If you’ve used a pair of drug store reading glasses before, you may be tempted to think blue light glasses will feel the same way; uncomfortable, not quite right, and definitely not on-trend. This is simply not true. Blue light glasses are made in an ergonomic fashion, so once you put them on there’s little chance you’ll even realize you’re wearing them.
Blue light glasses are also extremely stylish. You can get a pair of blue light glasses in the trendiest frames, with options to fit every face shape and style. From square rims to cat eyes, there’s no limit to the amount of styles available with blue light refracting frames.
Blue light readers are incredibly beneficial for anyone who spends a good deal of time in front of a device or screen; that’s basically everyone. As we discover more and more evidence to support the fact that blue light isn’t good for us or for our overall eye health, we will likely begin to turn more to blue light glasses for protection, which makes them more than just a buzz-worthy trend.
Eyes that suffer from fatigue, strain, itchiness, dryness, and irritation can benefit from blue light glasses and find relief in something other than eye drops.