It’s a topic of discussion lately. With kids and adults in front of computers much of the day for school and work, are blue light glasses beneficial?
Nothing boosts our mood and energizes us like being outdoors in the bright, blue sky. Natural blue light increases our attention, mood, memory. It regulates our circadian rhythm. During the day, blue light is great for us! In the evenings, however, blue light can keep us awake and throw our wake/sleep cycle off balance.
This is where blue light glasses may be helpful! More and more, blue light glasses are popping up globally. Modern living includes extended time in front of the screen for young children, teens and adults. Blue light glasses filter blue light. While this is a new product, many users find it helpful when they’re working for long hours in front of the screen (cell phones, computers, tablets). The glasses are said to reduce digital eye strain, promote better sleep, and provide more clarity by reducing glares.
Beth Montemurro, a local optometrist in Forest Hill, has recently started wearing blue light glasses. She said, “My eyes felt better towards the end of the day. Blue light is linked to macular degeneration. Recent studies show that devices don’t admit enough blue light to harm the retina, but the sun does. So wearing lenses that filter UV AND blue light can be beneficial for patients at risk for macular degeneration”.
You can find blue light glasses online running anywhere between $15-$95 with prescription lenses running from $30-$170.
Regardless of your stance on these glasses, there are a few eye health tips to keep in mind for you and your kids.
- Blink often and/or use eyedrops to keep eyes lubricated
- Sit an arm’s length from your computer
- Follow the 20/20/20 rule – every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds to give your eyes a break
- Go outdoors as often as possible
- Get regular eye exams
- Contact wearers should wear glasses periodically
- Switch devices to night mode in the evenings
For more information, contact Julia at juliachang727@gmail.com
