Understanding Blue Light and Its Effects
Blue light is a high-energy visible light that is emitted from screens on our electronic devices as well as from artificial lighting like compact fluorescents and LEDs. While blue light exposure during daylight hours is beneficial as it helps regulate our circadian rhythm, overexposure - especially during the evenings - can negatively impact health in several ways.
Potential Damages of Blue Light Overexposure
Too much blue light exposure at night has been linked to disruptions in sleep quality and patterns. It suppresses the production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for making us feel tired. This can lead to insomnia and sleep deprivation over time.
Additionally, blue light is known to contribute to digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome symptoms like headaches, dry eyes, blurry vision, and eye fatigue. It may also speed up macular degeneration and damage retinal cells over time.
Increasing Blue Light Exposure in Modern Life
Blue light exposure has dramatically increased over the past decade with the rise in popularity of LED lighting and electronic devices with LED-illuminated screens. This encompasses everything from smartphones, tablets, and laptops to gaming devices and even modern TVs.
The average American spends over 11 hours looking at digital screens per day. With many also staying up late under artificial lighting to work, stream shows, or scroll social media, blue light overexposure during evening hours is commonplace.
Understanding Blue Light Glasses
Blue light glasses are specially designed eyewear that filter out some of the high-energy blue-violet wavelengths from the light spectrum. This allows healthier lights like green, yellow, orange, and red to pass through instead.
How Blue Blockers Work
Blue light glasses work through selective wavelength filtering. They utilize specialized dyes/pigments or surface coatings to absorb and reflect back a portion of high frequency blue light while allowing beneficial lights for vision to pass through.
This effectively dims and softens bright LED or fluorescent light sources, removing glare and harsh lighting. The result is improved viewing comfort and protection for eyes.
Types of Blue Light Eyewear
There are a few different options when it comes to selecting blue light blocking glasses. These include:
Yellow-Tinted Computer Glasses
These are the most basic blue light filtering glasses, often used for extended computer work. They have a subtle yellow lens tint optimized to filter blue light while minimizing color distortion.
Amber/Orange/Red Lens Glasses
For maximum blue light protection, amber, orange, or red lens tints absorb the greatest amount of harmful blue light. However, color perception is very skewed.
FL-41 Tinted Gaming/Migraine Glasses
GL-41 lenses offer precise light filtering targeting blue-violet wavelengths linked to digital eye strain while maintaining color integrity. They help alleviate headaches & eyestrain.
Blue Light Coating Computer Glasses
Clear lenses with blue light reflective coatings provide discreet eye protection for office settings. They filter blue light transmission while keeping lenses crisp and clear in appearance.
Shopping for Blue Light Glasses at Staples
Staples carries a diverse selection of blue light blocking glasses to meet varied needs and budgets. When shopping, consider factors like eye protection level, lens tint, fit and style preferences. Top options include:
Staples Blue Light Blocking Computer Reading Glasses
This budget-friendly staples brand offers blue light filtering computer glasses. Yellow-tinted lenses defend against glare while a lightly magnified design relieves eye strain during close-up tasks.
Gamma Ray Optics Blue Light Blocking Glasses
Sleek, lightweight frames coupled with amber lenses make these Gamma Ray Optics glasses ideal for all-day wear. They defend against 90% of blue light for comprehensive protection.
Foster Grant Blue Light Blocking Glasses
TheSimilar to readers but with the added benefit of defending against blue light exposure, these glasses feature subtle magnification for reading small text plus yellow-tinted lenses.
LifeArt Blue Light Blocking Glasses
With a trendy classic wayframe design, these LifeArt glasses guard against blue light transmission across devices while minimizing color distortion.
Using Blue Light Glasses for Better Sleep
A key application for blue light eyewear is promoting better sleep quality and circadian health. Worn during evening hours, the filters prevent sleep-disrupting blue wavelength light from phones, TVs, and ambient lighting.
Preventing Latenight Blue Light Exposure
Putting on a pair of blue light glasses two to three hours before your target bedtime is recommended. This allows your body to gradually increase melatonin release and prepare for restful sleep.
Supporting Healthy Sleep Cycles
Consistently limiting blue light exposure from screens and bulbs each evening supports the natural circadian process. This regulates the sleep-wake cycle for increased ability to fall and stay asleep.
Waking up feeling more well-rested sets healthier patterns ongoing, with positive impacts on mood, focus, immune function and more.
Additional Applications of Blue Light Eyewear
Beyond better sleep support, blue light glasses serve other helpful purposes including:
Alleviating Eye Strain & Headaches
Diffusing harsh lighting to create a softer visual field, blue light filtering lenses curb symptoms of digital eye strain like sore eyes, blurriness, irritation and headaches resulting from prolonged device use.
Enhancing Gaming Experience
Blue light eyewear enhances gaming enjoyment by filtering irritating glares that cause visual discomfort and headaches during lengthy play. This allows for longer, more immersive gaming.
Vision Correction & Protection
Many blue light blocking glasses also incorporate magnification for reading/computer work. Additionally, reducing retinal exposure to high energy blue light helps maintain eye health long-term.
Determining Your Blue Light Blocking Needs
With many lens tints and frames to choose from, considering your lifestyle and goals with blue light eyewear ensures the best match. Key aspects include:
Time Spent on Devices
If you spend over 6 hours daily staring at phones/laptops/TVs, investing in maximum blue light protection makes sense versus minimal use. Prioritize eye health.
Nighttime Tech Engagement
Frequently unwinding with e-books/Netflix each evening? Choose glasses optimized for filtering sleep-disrupting blue light wavelengths to support rest.
Experience of Eye Strain
Those susceptible to headaches/blurriness from extensive reading or computer work may prefer yellow-tinted computer glasses to provide relief from symptoms.
Considering these lifestyle and vision factors allows selecting appropriate, comfortable blue light blockers.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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