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Whether you already own a pair of blue light glasses or are looking to buy a pair, you’ve probably wondered when and where you should wear them and when it’s ok to go without them. The best way to figure this out is to understand how those new fancy blue blocker lenses are designed to help you live your best life.
What Exactly Is Blue Light? And Why Do You Want To Block It?
Similar to ultraviolet light, excessive blue light rays can be damaging to your vision. Blue light is part of the wavelengths of light that make up the visible color spectrum, i.e., what the human eye can see, like rainbows.
Blue light is high-energy, short-wavelength light, similar to ultraviolet.
The primary sources of blue light are:
- LED screens (Flat-screen televisions and computer screens)
- Digital devices (mobile phones, tablets)
- Artificial lighting (fluorescent lights, LED light bulbs)
- Sunlight
Unlike regular glasses, blue light eyeglasses have special lenses that block or filter out certain light waves from these devices.
We have come to rely on our digital devices for more than just work. Average daily use of digital media in 2020 was at an all time high of seven hours and fifty minutes.
This excessive use of our devices has resulted in more complaints of digital eye strain and blurred vision.
Another adverse effect of blue light on our vision is the reduced production of the sleep hormone melatonin.
Blue light sends a signal to the brain that it is daytime. So when we are constantly exposed, the body can’t tell the difference between day and night, and melatonin production is decreased.
The brain needs darkness to produce a sufficient amount of the hormone.
Best Blue Light Blocking Glasses
When Should I Wear Blue Light Glasses?
You should wear them while working with any portable electronic devices and during all screen time activities. Adding an anti-glare coating can also give you more comfortable vision.
If you work in an environment with excessive amounts of artificial light sources, wearing your blue light glasses is advised.
Minimizing the use of your mobile devices at night will improve your sleep. Night-time blue light exposure negatively affects your sleep quality and disrupts your Circadian Rhythm, aka sleep cycle.
Is It Safe To Wear My Blue Light Glasses All Day?
Even though blue light is also present in sun rays, wearing blue light filtering lenses outdoors isn’t recommended. Instead, you’re better served wearing a pair of sunglasses with proper ultraviolet (UV) protection.
On the other hand, most of our workday is filled using digital screens, so wearing them indoors is highly recommended. A blue-light-blocking coating can be added to prescription glasses as well.
Try These Blue Light Glasses On Virtually
Whether you wear glasses for reading, distance, or progressives, you can request this option when ordering your lenses.
Many eye care professionals also recommend taking frequent breaks throughout the workday to reduce eye strain symptoms. They might refer to this exercise as the “20-20-20 Rule“.
The idea is to look away from your screen every 20 minutes at an object about 20 feet away for a full 20 seconds. Try setting an alarm to help you remember when to take breaks during your workday.
Bottom Line
Wearing your blue light glasses all day won’t cause any adverse effects. In addition, taking a break from that screen and enjoying a few minutes of sunshine will likely keep your stress level down and ensure that you get the beauty sleep you need and deserve.
Cynthia is a published author and freelance writer that has enjoyed a career in the eyewear industry for more than 25 years. In 2016, she decided to combine her passion for writing with her experience as an Optician and launch her company, Pizzini Writes. She now dedicates her days to writing about the latest optical-related news and trends for various publications and independent retailers.
Learn more about her at www.pizziniwrites.com