We live in the information age and spend a huge amount of time in front of digital devices. Mobile phones, computers, tablets, TVs and game consoles have become an integral part of everyday life. According to statistics, adults spend about six hours a day watching screens, while children and adolescents spend much more.
It is no secret that sitting in front of monitors for a long time causes diseases of the musculoskeletal system and other physiological problems. Watching social media, reading news channels, watching television shows, working in front of a monitor, screen time, and blue light negatively affect eye health.
Blue light is everywhere. It is found in sunlight and comes from fluorescent lamps and electronic devices.
The sun contains all the colors of light, including red, orange, green, and blue. Each of these colors emits different levels of energy. Red light, for example, has longer wavelengths and less energy. Blue light at the other end of the spectrum has shorter wavelengths and more energy. Humans are used to getting most of the blue light from the sun when they are outdoors, but these days, people are getting more exposure than ever when they are indoors — from their screens. This excessive exposure to blue light worries doctors at the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Work and social life more and more revolve around gazing at a screen for a few hours every day. Blue light is not entirely natural to the eyes and to avoid a harmful consequences, you should consider protecting from it. Here are some reasons why you should try these glasses:
Walking on the sun makes you feel refreshed. Otherwise, screen time before the sleep can makes you feel anxious. The short waves inhibiting melatonin secretion, a sleep-inducing hormone. It is naturally released in a couple of hours before the bedtime. Using a tablet or other type of electronic device before bed can delay this release, making it difficult to fall asleep immediately. If you can’t turn off your device an hour or two before the bed, as sleep experts recommend, wearing blue light glasses will help you improve your sleep.
Looking at the screen all day long can stress or strain your eyes and muscles. A well-organized workspace can help reduce muscle problems associated with sitting at a desk and watching a screen. Blue light can make it difficult to focus on the screen, but blue light blocking glasses increase the contrast and reduce eye strain by making focusing easier.
Light in general and blue one particularly, cause the migraines and worsen headaches. Blocking blue light with special glasses can help to relieve these problems.
The cornea and lens are good at protecting the retina from harmful UV-light. However, they are powerless against the blue light. Retina damage increases the risk of macular degeneration, which is one of the main causes of blindness. Blue light retina penetration causes symptoms similar to macular degeneration and also increases the risk of cataracts development. Good protection can prevent this.
You can avoid many of blue light problems just by moving away from the computer. Read a book instead of watching TV, limit your tablet and phone use, but if you are not ready to take these measures, blue light blocking glasses can help you.
If you already wear prescription glasses, you can still utilize blue light blocking technology, but not without investing in a new pair of specs, unfortunately. If you don’t wear glasses during the day, blue light blocking glasses will help at certain times when the protection is needed.
Just like any pair of glasses, whether it is prescription bifocals or trendy sunglasses, comfort is important when you are choosing the right pair. If your glasses are uncomfortable, it will be the reason not to wear them. In addition to that, inappropriate glasses can cause ear pain, nose pain and even headaches, so you need to make sure you have a secure fit.
The glasses should fit snugly on your face, but not too tight or too loose. You should be able to turn your head from side to side without them falling off or putting pressure on your ears or nose.
Glasses should not constantly slide over your nose, especially when looking down, and they should not touch your forehead, cheeks, or the sides of your face near your temples.
You may notice a light headache in the first few days of wearing your new prescription glasses, but it shouldn’t persist or be severe. If you continue having headaches, notice that your vision looks blurry, or feel unstable – as if you are dizzy while wearing glasses, there may be something wrong with your prescription.
Any new pair of glasses requires a short adjustment period, but ideally, you should start being able to put your glasses on and forget they’re even there after a few days of regular use.
Anti-reflective coating deflects distracting reflections from the front and back of each lens. Fewer glare can make it easier for the eyes to focus, improve color contrast, and speed up reactions.
Otherwise, you may experience headaches or digital eye strain. Many lenses, including prescription lenses, have an anti-reflective coating by default. If you have never wore glasses before, you may not realize how important this function is, especially if you constantly look at the luminous screen. (Without the coating, your screens can cast distracting reflections off the surface of your glasses, often obscuring your vision)
Different lenses that block blue light are recommended for different times of the day. Clear or yellow lenses are the best for the daytime. On the other hand, if you are struggling with insomnia or using your laptop or smartphone late at night, it is better to opt for darker ones. Red lenses block a 100% of the blue light along with some of the green and violet lights. This means that they block all types of light that disrupt your circadian rhythms, so wearing these glasses a few hours before bed will help you fall asleep faster.
The sun is a powerful and necessary part of our environment, but it can also cause damage if we expose ourselves to it for too long or too often without protection.Just like you will never spend a day at the beach without sunscreen on your body, you should not spend a lot of time outdoors without protecting your sensitive eyes. You should make sure your blue light blocking glasses have UV protection to shield you from the sun’s harmful rays.
Blue light blocking glasses come in a variety of shades, from transparent, which blocks the least amount of blue light, to yellow, which almost completely blocking such light. There is no need to block all blue light, and the choice of shade depends more on individual preference than standard rules.
While there is no scientific evidence to prove that blue light blocking glasses should be worn to improve macular health, there are plenty of online reviewers who rave about their positive impact from personal experiences. So if you find yourself unable to fall asleep at night or are regularly developing post-work headaches, you may just want to try a pair of blue light blocking glasses before you reach for medication. Being the efficient yet affordable tool, you can find blue light blocking glasses in many online and offline stores. We have prepared the list of glasses that can be found in one of the most popular supermarket – Walmart.
Best overall: Gamma Ray Blue Light Blocking Glasses Amber Tint Anti Glare UV Digital Eyestrain
Blue light blocking glasses for watching TV and improving sleep. Suitable for daytime and nighttime usage. Amber-tinted xBlue lenses with adjustable nose pads. High quality stainless steel frames and durable, ergonomic temples for maximum comfort!
Best budget: Kedsum Anti Blue Light Glasses + UV protection
Excellent budget blue light blocking glasses made of highly durable plastic. Take them with you when using your cell phone or computer to block blue light and reduce eye fatigue. One-piece nose pads make the structure stronger, but do not leave marks on the nose. Simple retro style frames add charm wherever you go.
Best for gaming: Cyxus Blue Light Blocking Yellow Lens Gaming Glasses
Cyxus glasses have a blue light filter and reduce harmful light by 90%. Relieves fatigue, dry eyes and helps to improve vision. You can enjoy a more restful sleep and forget about regular headaches. Great for gamers and those who spend a significant part of their life at the monitor.
Walmart Bestseller: Round Keyhole Blue Light Blocking Computer Glasses
The slim and rounded shape of the blue light blocking glasses is a good choice for those who value the comfort and quality. The frame is made of durable plastic and comes in several colors. The lenses are UV protected.
Best for Kids: Cyxus Kids Blocking Blue Light Computer Glasses Flexible & Lightweight
Kid’s computer glasses can cut the harmful blue light from computer or smart phone or tablet, relieving eye fatigue, dry and headache. Protect children’s eyesight. Lightweight, flexible and heavy-duty shape memory temples made of durable plastic. They are suitable for boys and girls, thanks to the variety of colors. The universal size makes this model suitable for children from ages 6-15.
Take care of the health of your eyes! There are tons of great options for blue light glasses. It can feel challenging to find a pair that not only fits your style but also falls into a price range you can afford, while also offering effective blue light protection.
Just remember that your body depends on being exposed to blue light sources during the daytime to regulate its circadian rhythm, so make sure not to wear blue light blocking glasses for too long during the daytime hours (or at all, if you choose a darker style lens). If you only need occasional relief from digital eye strain or work in a job that requires you to see a full range of color, you should opt for clear blue light blocking lenses; if you need more intense blue light blocking—for example, to help you sleep better at night or treat light sensitivity conditions—you should opt for yellow or, in some cases, red lenses.