Everyone is talking about blue light lenses these days. Almost daily someone asks me, do blue light lenses work or are they worth it for my kids? The short answer is Yes, blue light filtering lenses do work and yes blue light lenses are worth it if they are recommended by your eyecare professional and if they are a reasonable price.
What is Blue Light?
You’ve just finished picking out frames for your child and now the Optician is talking about blue light filtering lenses. What is blue light and why does it need to be filtered? Blue light is a type of high-energy visible (HEV) light that is emitted by digital devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computer screens. Blue light is not visible to the naked eye and while some exposure to blue light is necessary for regulating our sleep and waking cycles, prolonged exposure to blue light can be harmful to our eyes and overall health. Blue light can cause digital eye strain, which is a group of symptoms that includes headaches, dry eyes, blurred vision, and neck and shoulder pain. In addition, blue light exposure at night can disrupt our circadian rhythm and negatively affect our sleep quality. It’s important to take steps to reduce our exposure to blue light, such as using blue light filters or wearing blue light blocking glasses when using digital devices for extended periods of time. This can especially concern parents whose children may spend long hours in front of tablets, cell phones or other digital devices.
What are Blue Light Lenses?
Blue light lenses are eyeglass lenses that are specially designed to filter out blue light from electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computer screens. Blue light lenses have become popular in recent years due to the increasing use of digital devices in our daily lives. These lenses can help reduce the negative effects of blue light on our eyes and improve our overall visual comfort while using digital devices.
It’s important to note that not all blue light lenses are created equal and their effectiveness may vary depending on the specific lens technology used. When choosing blue light lenses, it’s important to consult with an eye care professional to determine which type is best for your child’s needs. Blue light filtering lenses don’t add any color to standard lenses so you won’t notice any difference by just looking at the lenses.
Do Blue Light Lenses Work?
The study titled “Effects of blue light filter spectacle lenses on visual fatigue and sleep quality: a randomized controlled trial” aimed to investigate the effects of blue light filter spectacle lenses on visual fatigue and sleep quality in healthy adults who use digital devices frequently.
The study involved 63 participants who were randomly assigned to either a group that used glasses with blue light filters or a control group that used glasses without filters. The participants wore the glasses for a period of 4 weeks while continuing to use their digital devices as usual.
After the 4-week period, the study found that the group that used blue light filter glasses had significantly lower scores on visual fatigue and better sleep quality measures compared to the control group. The results suggest that blue light filter glasses may help reduce visual fatigue and improve sleep quality in individuals who frequently use digital devices. Take a look at the study here.
Who Should Use Blue Light Lenses?
Blue light lenses can benefit anyone who frequently uses digital devices such as computers, smartphones, tablets, and televisions, especially for extended periods of time. Individuals who work in front of a computer for long hours, students who spend hours studying on their laptops, and gamers who spend hours playing video games are some examples of people who may benefit from blue light lenses. Your child may fit one or more of these categories.
However, it’s important to note that blue light lenses are not necessary for everyone. If your kids do not use digital devices frequently they may not experience significant benefits from blue light lenses. Additionally, if they do not experience symptoms of digital eye strain, such as eye fatigue, headaches, or blurred vision, they may not need to use blue light lenses.
It’s also important to note that blue light lenses are not a substitute for regular eye exams and other measures to maintain eye health, such as proper lighting and taking regular breaks from digital device use.
As with any eyewear, it’s important to consult with an eye care professional before using blue light lenses to determine if they are appropriate for your child’s needs.
How Much Do Blue Light Lenses Cost?
The price of blue light lenses can range widely. Blue light lenses are a feature that can be added on to your prescription lenses or non prescription lenses which usually range from $30 – $100 USD. If the glasses already have lenses that react to the sun, meaning they get dark outside and are clear inside the blue light filter is already built into the technology of the lenses. In that case, you should not be charged an additional price for blue light filtering lenses.
Blue Light Filtering Lenses Do Work
In conclusion, blue light lenses do work and can be beneficial for individuals who frequently use digital devices for extended periods of time. These lenses are specially designed to filter out harmful blue light emitted by electronic devices and can help reduce symptoms of digital eye strain and improve sleep quality. However, it’s important to note that not all blue light lenses are created equal and their effectiveness may vary depending on the specific lens technology used. The price of blue light filtering lenses usually range from $30-$100 USD but the most important factor is the needs of your child. Consult with an eye care professional to determine if blue light lenses are appropriate for your child’s needs. Additionally, blue light lenses are not a substitute for regular eye exams and other measures to maintain eye health.
If you’d like a consultation about blue light filtering lenses for you or your child with a New York State licensed optician, leave a message in the box below.
*Featured image of girl wearing pink glasses by Adam Winger on Unsplash
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