The Ultimate Guide to Blue Light Glasses
The ultimate guide to blue light glasses
Digital screens (like phones and laptops) all emit blue light. Too much of this light can interrupt our circadian rhythm, make us feel tired, and cause digital eye strain.
Blue light glasses contain a filter specifically designed to reduce the amount of this light entering your eyes.
What is blue light?
Time for a quick science lesson… Blue light sits towards the UV end of the visible light spectrum and naturally comes from the sun.
During the day there is an abundance of it around, even on a cloudy Autumn’s day, and this causes the body to produce hormones (like cortisol) which make us feel awake.
Then in the evening, as the sun sets and blue light is significantly reduced, our bodies can begin preparing for a night of good sleep quality.
Is blue light bad for you?
The screens of our laptops, smartphones, iPads, tablets, and so on, also emit blue light rays (although at a lower rate than the sun). As a result, if you’re working in front of a computer screen late in the evening, blue light can disrupt your body’s natural circadian rhythm and sleep quality.
Ever spent a long day in front of a digital screen and suffered from eye fatigue, poor sleep quality, headaches or migraines? Don’t worry. You’re not alone.
How does blue light affect your eyes?
It’s very easy for blue light to enter your eyes as it has a short wavelength. This means it can pass through your cornea and lens and into the retina.
Some experts suggest this can lower eye health and damage the cells in your retina, although the research on this is insufficient at the moment.
Why’s everyone talking about blue light glasses now?
Even before lockdowns and working from home, we were all spending more time looking at digital screens. That has gone up again in the past 12 months, and the proximity of screens to our eyes has led to concerns about the long-term effects of blue light on eye health.
How do blue light glasses help?
First off, these glasses have many different names such as blue light filters, computer-use lenses, or screen glasses. To avoid confusion, at Finlay we talk about adding a blue light filter to your glasses.
Applying this filter to the lenses of your glasses blocks a high percentage of blue light rays from entering your eyes. This can regulate your eyes’ daily intake of it, helping you improve sleep quality.
Are blue light lenses proven to work?
This is still up for discussion amongst optometrists and spectacle-wearers. Current research doesn’t prove that modern digital displays emit enough blue light to be harmful. However, continuous screen use does increase light scatter and affect our focus, so reducing our exposure to it can improve focus.
Do blue light blocking glasses help with eye strain?
Again there is no concrete evidence for this but it’s worth saying that eye strain can occur for numerous reasons.
Looking at a screen for too long can lead to eye fatigue. Sitting too closely to digital screens can cause strain in your eye muscles. Or just having the glare of your glasses reflect onto your screen can lead to squinting and eye fatigue.
Should you get blue light glasses?
If you rely on seeing true colour when working on the computer (like a photo editor or graphic designer) then take note: blue light filter lenses have a light blue, or sometimes yellowish tint, to them. So if you need colour accuracy we don't recommend adding the filter.
Otherwise, if you’re worried about the effect of digital screens on your eyes then a blue light filter is a good place to start. The lenses filter out the light rays, helping to prevent them from entering your eye and causing potential damage.
Do blue light filters affect your prescription?
Nope. The filter we add is a premium coating perfect for regular screen users. If you have any questions or concerns then you can always get in touch.
Are blue light glasses blue?
No. They look and feel pretty much exactly the same as your normal glasses. The lenses have a slight yellowish tint to them but typically you won’t notice this.
Can you add a blue light filter to Finlay glasses?
Yep! Once you’ve selected your glasses and lenses (whether prescription or no prescription), you can add additional extras like engraving or nose pads. One of those extras is a blue light filter which costs £35.
Want more info? Get in touch or pop by one of our stores for a chat.