People spend more time than ever in front of a digital device, whether it’s their phones, tablets, or a television screen. Adults reportedly spend upwards of six hours a day, and teens look at a screen around seven hours a day! I tried Blue Light glasses this week, all day everyday, at work and when I was winding down in bed watching Netflix or checking out YouTube. I work in a wellness center where we are around different types of machines emitting all sorts energy as well as being on the laptops and computers. When I get home I most likely make dinner and have the TV on, text friends, yes I scroll too, and then said Netflix wind-down..
So to start..
What is blue light?
Blue light is everywhere. It’s found in the sun’s rays and is emitted from the fluorescent lighting and screens of electronic devices.
The sun contains all colors of light, including red, orange, green, and blue. Each of these colors emits different energy levels. Red light, for example, has longer wavelengths and less energy. Blue light, on the other end of the spectrum, has shorter wavelengths and more energy.
While you get most of your exposure to blue light from the sun when outside, people are now getting more exposure than ever when they’re inside — from their screens. This excessive exposure to blue light has some eye health professionals worried.
Why you should try blue light glasses
More and more, work and social life revolve around looking at a screen for multiple hours every day. To combat the effects of too much blue light exposure, consider wearing blue light protection.
Here are 4 reasons that wearing these glasses may be able to help you!
Better sleep
In the same way a walk outside in the sunlight can help you feel alert; spending time on a screen before bed can also make you feel alert. Short wavelengths delay release of melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone that naturally starts releasing into your system a couple of hours before bedtime.
Using a tablet or other type of screen before bed can delay this release, making it harder to fall asleep right away. If you’re unable to turn off your device an hour or two before bed, as sleep experts recommend, using blue light glasses may help you sleep better.
Less eye strain
Looking at a screen all day can make you feel stressed, or you may experience eye and muscle strain. Ergonomic adjustments can help reduce the muscle issues associated with sitting at a desk and looking at a screen all day. Blue light blocking glasses can help reduce eye strain.
Blue light can make it difficult to focus on the screen, making your eyes strain to concentrate. Blue light glasses help increase contrast on your screen, making it easier to focus and subsequently reduce eye strain.
Fewer headaches
Light, especially blue light, can trigger migraines and exacerbate headache pain. Blocking blue light with special glasses may reduce migraine attacks and reduce headaches and headache pain.
Reduced risk of eye diseases
Your cornea and eye lens are good at blocking out harmful UV light from reaching the retina. However, they can’t block blue light. Damage to the retina can increase your risk of developing macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of blindness.
Blue light can penetrate your retina and possibly lead to macular degeneration-like symptoms and may increase your risk of developing cataracts. Wearing protection can help prevent this.
My takeaways from this week.
Zero feeling of needing to rub my eyes after an 8 hour day, more energy, no headaches in the morning, more focus, and no glare.
You will notice a slight yellow tint, but that's about it. Its very similar to dimming your iPad or phone to night mode. A few times during the day I took them off and was shocked at how much light flooded my eyes!
This isn't an end all be all fix to our blue light overexposure, but I do think that the small measures we take to protect ourselves can add up, and can help our body navigate some of the environmental effects of this modern world!
These are my favorite pair right now.
Comment below with your experience with Blue Light glasses!
In Health,
Amanda
Comments