Shedding Light on Blue Light Glasses
Computer monitors, smartphones, and tablet screens emit artificial blue light, and exposure to too much blue light may harm eyes. According to ABC News, blue light glasses have become incredibly popular since COVID-19 emerged, due to the steady increase in digital device usage.
Drs. Gordon and Wildon Wong serve people throughout La Jolla, Carmel Valley, and San Diego, CA. They can answer all of your questions about the harm blue light may cause. They encourage patients with lifestyles that include significant screen time to wear high-quality blue light glasses. Would you benefit from wearing blue light glasses? Do your children need them? Let’s go over some basics.
What Is Blue Light?
Let’s define blue light. Visible white light combines the light of every shade of the rainbow, and each colored light has a different energy and wavelength. Blue light rays are shorter but have more power. Humans actually need blue light to maintain good health, but an imbalance of blue rays could be harmful.
Blue Light and Digital Eye Strain
According to the Vision Council, nearly 60% of American adults report digital eye strain symptoms. Blue light from screen time can decrease contrast and lead to digital eye strain. Symptoms of digital eye strain include:
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Dry eyes
Blue Light Effect on Sleep
Melatonin is a natural hormone that triggers our bodies to become tired when we’re in the dark. Because screens emit blue light that depletes melatonin, looking at a screen at night can interfere with sleep cycles and sleep quality.
Reducing the intake of blue light to a healthy limit may also reduce the risk of sleep-related problems and alertness. Research is limited at this time.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declares that circadian rhythms are most responsive to light from about two hours before normal bedtime and through the night, until about one hour after normal wake-up time. Light exposure during these windows of time affects how the body biologically gets sleepy.
How Blue Light Glasses Work
Blue light glasses are designed to filter out blue wavelengths. Manufacturers of blue light glasses claim that the lenses protect eyes from glare, eyestrain, and help lessen potential retinal damage from prolonged exposure to blue light.
Schedule an Appointment for Blue Light Glasses Today
Despite the societal worries associated with blue light, screen time is spiking. To learn more about how blue light may affect your health, book an appointment with GW Eye Associates by calling (858) 454-4699 or messaging us online.
