Read This Before Buying a Pair of Blue Light Glasses

Of all things we are dependent on in this world, light is one that we inevitably spend too much time on. Blue light exposure is indeed something we can hardly control and unfortunately, when this excessive exposure happens at the wrong time, i.e. during evening hours, it can trigger negative effects on our health and quality of sleep.

There are a number of blue light sources but two of its major contributors are environmental lighting, e.g. lights at home and public places; and, digital screens. With the latter being a common source, experts have advised people to regulate their screen time on a daily basis. However, this is not always possible for people whose line of work includes using computers, tablets, or mobile gadgets. Thankfully, blue light glasses got invented.

Blue Light Glasses and Reasons Why You Should Wear Them

Blue light glasses are an eyewear with special lenses designed to filter blue light. While there are tinted blue light glasses designed to be used against daylight and UV rays, the variety that aims to block blue light at night usually comes with clear glasses.

Here are why you should wear them:

Blue light glasses protect you from blue light which can significantly hinder your sleep and disrupt your circadian rhythms.

On the light spectrum that is visible, blue light is the shortest light wavelength. Sunlight is a source of blue light but so are digital lighting and energy efficient bulbs. Blue light glasses exist to reduce its impact but that is not to say that blue light’s damaging effect is absolute. What can trigger the damage is when a person excessively exposes himself to blue light sources like digital screens especially during night time.

Here’s how it can disrupt: Melatonin is known to be the main regulator of circadian rhythms or the process of the body that alerts when it is time to sleep and when it is time to wake up. According to studies, blue light delays the release of melatonin hormone even worse than other visible light wavelengths do. Moreover, blue light exposure can shorten sleep time and can cause unstable sleeping patterns, resulting in fatigue and stress the following day.

Blue light is also believed to be damaging in the eye cells. As per various studies, blue light can uniquely damage or impact the eye’s health and functionality and the risks for various eye diseases like AMD or age-related macular degeneration and cataract increase.

Evidences have likewise emerged associating blue light exposure with breast and prostate cancer, diabetes, obesity, and other illnesses.

Unfortunately, studies show that excessive blue light exposure not only impacts the eyes but also the overall health of a person. It has become a threat both to adults and kids who are regular screen users. Don’t fret though; you can still combat this threat by investing and wearing reliable blue light glasses that can ace their blue light filtering job.

Wearing blue light glasses is beneficial in these ways:

It treats insomnia.
It enhances sleep quality.
It stabilizes good sleep patterns.
It resets and preserves good circadian rhythms.
It enhances memory, learning, and the rest of the brain’s cognitive performance.

Blue light glasses are not sunglasses.

They do not darken your vision like sunglasses do as they are made of premium quality glasses with amber lenses. The technology behind ensures that enough light wavelengths can pass through so you can stay awake or enjoy your vision as necessary.

Blue light glasses are for everyone.

Our light consumptions vary but in this digital age, we could be sharing one practice in common; that is spending hours staring at computer or mobile gadget screens. Nowadays, even toddlers are already hooked up with mobile games and they are not exempted of the risks we can be dealing with. This is where blue light glasses can be beneficial for all. Such eyewear can significantly control blue light exposure, keeping us away from health and sleep risks blue light brings.

Blue light apps are usually ineffective.

Theoretically speaking, built-in blue light blocking apps are ideal. However, there are no scientific evidences to date that can prove that they can indeed filter blue light and block it from affecting the eyes and the body. Studies have proven this; the melatonin production of those using the apps did not get better and still suffered delay or disruption.

Keep this in mind when shopping for blue light glasses…

Blue light glasses whose lenses are amber are the best deal.

You will find a plethora of blue light glasses on the market and this can be an indication of how pressing blue light exposure’s risks have become to everyone across the globe. However, the choosing can be confusing. So, remember this golden rule: your blue light glasses best come with amber lenses instead of clear lenses. This way, the blue light will pass through a colored filter, enabling light of other colors to pass through. You will not be left with nothing. These amber lenses, at the same time, enable red light and orange light wavelengths to transmit which are practically harmless to sleep and circadian rhythms.

As per studies, amber lenses are really great at blocking blue light from passing through the lens onto the wearer’s eye. If worn especially during night time, you can be confident knowing your sleep patterns will not be affected nor disrupted. Your circadian rhythm as well will be sustained.

Moreover, amber lenses are believed to be great at addressing sleep issues like insomnia and a person’s likelihood to wake abnormally early.

Another thing to note: blue light glasses will only be able to work effectively if these can virtually block any sort of blue light that can come your way. If a company claims its glasses can block 50 to 80 per cent of blue light, it is unfortunately not enough as protection against the risks and threats too much blue light exposure can trigger.