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When you clock out at the end of the day, you might notice that your eyes feel dry and tired. People often chalk these symptoms up to their stressful schedule or busy day, but the culprit is likely too much blue light exposure.
The world depends on technology, so it’s an easy misconception to think that screen time doesn’t have consequences. Now, people are more aware of blue light and how it affects their bodies. Almost every optical retailer claims to have the solution to your problems, but do blue light glasses work? Here’s what you need to know.
Blue light glasses are different than traditional ones. They look the same if you see them side by side on a shelf, but they’re very different.
Traditional glasses use your prescription to fine-tune your vision. Other than clarifying blurriness, they won’t protect your eyes from things like direct sunlight. They were never supposed to compete with technology, so blue light glasses are a newer model that became popular in the last few years.
After converting your prescription into lenses, the glassmaking company covers the lenses in a coating that blocks blue light. The strength of the coating depends on what you order because they come in varying degrees of intensity.
Unlike what you might be picturing, blue light glasses don’t have blue-tinted lenses. You won’t be able to tell the difference by looking at them, even after you put them on. Instead, you’ll feel the difference after wearing them while you look at an electronic screen for more than an hour in one sitting.
Natural light consists of different wavelengths with multiple colors, but the light produced by screens is more heavily blue. It’s something the human eye isn’t naturally used to, which can lead to uncomfortable symptoms.
You may have struggled with tired, aching eyes and wondered why. Anyone who uses technology for extended periods risks experiencing the effects of digital eye strain.
The glasses get between your eyes and the screen, causing vision issues. You may have experienced the common symptoms of computer vision syndrome, such as:
If you have existing vision problems like astigmatism and farsightedness, computer vision syndrome will exacerbate the symptoms.
When you put on sunglasses, you only use them while you’re outside or around bright lights. As soon as you’re indoors and the light changes, you take them off. Blue light glasses are similar.
Glancing at your phone occasionally or catching the newest episode of your favorite TV show won’t leave you with eye strain. It becomes a problem when you stare at a screen for longer than an hour or two. If you have more significant vision problems, you may have more intense computer vision symptoms than others.
It’s always smart to wear your blue light glasses when you sit down to work on your computer for the day. You can do the same if your job or routine involves working with any other type of screen.
When you ask your friends whether blue light glasses work, you might hear mixed opinions. Some people might not feel the difference because their eyes don’t get worn out so quickly.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology stated that people could use other coping mechanisms to reduce eye strain before resorting to glasses, like taking breaks. However, glasses are an excellent resource for people who can’t get away from their screens.
Unlike prescription glasses, there’s no one way to pick blue light glasses. You can find them in almost any frame and with any prescription. As long as the lenses match your vision needs, you can order them coated with a light-blocking film.
People who need more intense help with blue light can look into potential future pairs and inquire about the film’s intensity. Some will block more blue light than others, but that’s the only difference you should be aware of when picking a pair for yourself.
Ordering a pair and trying them for yourself is the best way to know if they can help. At best, they could transform how you feel every day, and at worst, they’ll become your second pair of glasses. Consider trying blue light glasses to improve your eye strain symptoms and make your life easier.
