Are Blue Light Filter Glasses actually helpful?

What is blue light?

All visible light that we can see contains the entire color spectrum of the rainbow, all the way from red to violet. Within this spectrum are blue light waves that help us stay upbeat and alert.

What gives off blue light?

Any visible light source gives off blue light waves, be it the sun, a light bulb, or even a touchscreen. We are exposed to a lot of blue light from the sun each day, but we remain exposed to it through various artificial sources after sundown.

How does blue light affect our sleep?

After the sun goes down, the lack of light helps in signaling our bodies to produce melatonin which is a critical hormone responsible for helping us fall asleep. Before artificial light, the sun played a significant role in regulating our sleep cycles. But nowadays, we are exposed to light throughout the day and into the night. Though any exposure to light waves after dark delays our production of melatonin, exposure to blue light waves can be even more problematic since it will keep us alert.

So, what does your phone or laptop has to do with this?

Compared to incandescent and fluorescent bulbs, LEDs can give off a lot of blue light. Unfortunately for everyone who likes to cozy up with their tech after the sun sets, LEDs used in countless tablets, smartphones, and televisions can harm your sleep cycle.

Is blue light harmful?

Blue light is linked to various types of problems ranging from digital eye strain to total loss of sight. However, there is a lot of conflicting evidence about how harmful blue light is.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology says that no evidence suggests that blue light given off by digital screens can cause eye damage, as humans are exposed to it all day from the sun.

However, research compiled by AOA suggests that prolonged exposure to blue light waves from sitting in front of a screen all day may cause damage to your retina, which is the innermost layer of your eye. The retina is responsible for sending signals to your brain to process everything that you are seeing.

What are blue light filter glasses?

Blue light filter glasses have a special filter in their lenses that absorbs or blocks blue light and sometimes even UV light from reaching your eyes. This means that if you use such glasses when working on a computer screen (especially after sunset), they can help reduce the overall exposure to blue light waves, which keep you awake.

Most of these blue blockers you can buy claim to help reduce your eye strain drastically. Most of these blue light blocking glasses are meant to be worn throughout the day if you work in front of a screen and at night to help prevent any blue light waves from keeping us awake.

If you work on a computer for an extended period or find it hard to sleep at night, you need to try these glasses at the earliest.

Blue light blocking glasses block ALL blue light — including healthy amounts, and distort your color perception.