10 Benefits of Blue Light Glasses
In a world where digital screens have become an important part of our daily routine, it’s hard to avoid exposure to blue light.
A constant, long-term exposure to blue light can have several negative consequences on your eyes and general well-being.
If you’re conscious of your eye health, in addition to avoiding unnecessary screen time, you can wear blue light glasses.
They block the high-intensity blue light, allowing you to work or enjoy screen time without having to worry about the side effects.
In this guide, we’ll discuss 10 benefits of blue light glasses, including what science says about their effectiveness.
Let’s dive in.
Understanding Blue Light Glasses
Our digital screens - think laptop, mobile phone, and tablet - are constantly emitting blue light.
This constant exposure to blue light can put strain on your eyes, reduce sleep quality, and have other negative consequences.
Blue light glasses are designed to block this light, protecting you from its long-term and short-term side effects.
They come in different styles:
- Clear lenses: Best for everyday light filtration
- Yellow-tinted lenses: Offers moderate filtration for screen-heavy days
- Amber-tinted lenses: Provide the strongest blue-light filter, perfect for evening use
10 Benefits of Blue Light Glasses
Blue light glasses offer a range of potential benefits, especially if you’re glued to screens for several hours daily.
Here’s a look at its benefits, backed by science and data:
Reduce Eye Strain
By using screens for hours, we often put more strain on our eyes than they can handle. Blue light glasses can help your eyes feel less tired, sore, and dry.
A 2017 study found that participants wearing blue light glasses reported less eye strain.
Improve Sleep Quality
Using your phone, laptop, or watching TV after the sun has set can delay melatonin production, the hormone responsible for sleep regulation.
Blue light glasses, especially the amber-tinted ones, block most of the blue light from your screens, potentially helping you sleep better.
According to a 2019 study, athletes slept better after wearing blue light glasses before sleep. By wearing amber-tinted glasses, you’re more likely to drift off easily and wake up refreshed.
Enhance Visual Clarity
The high-energy light tends to create a slight haze on screens, which can reduce the sharpness of text or images. If you want better visual quality for more detailed tasks, try wearing blue light glasses. Many people report crispier vision.
Ease Headaches
If you’re sensitive to bright light or glare, prolonged screen time can lead to headaches. Blue light glasses soften the light that reaches your eyes, reducing the chances of tension headaches.
Although there aren’t many studies to support this benefit, users frequently note fewer headaches after wearing these glasses.
Reduce Glare
Long exposure to digital screens can be harsh on the eyes. Blue light glasses reduce the glare that reaches you, making it easier to work or watch.
Yellow-tinted glasses are specifically ideal for this.
Support Mood Regulation
Yes, blue light glasses can improve your mood. although indirectly. As your sleep quality improves, your mood gets lifted. So, if late-night screen time leaves you uncomfortable, consider putting on blue light glasses. They can help you feel more relaxed the next day.
A 2020 study suggests that better sleep due to blue light glasses leads to better mood in bipolar patients.
Regulate Circadian Rhythm
Our body isn't designed to be exposed to blue light after the sun has set. Due to exposure to digital screens in the evening, our internal clock gets disturbed, which makes it hard for us to stick to a routine. Amber-tinted glasses will keep most of the blue light at bay, helping your circadian rhythm stay on track.
Improve Outdoor Comfort
The sun emits high-intensity blue light, which can feel intense during outdoor activities. You can use blue light glasses as a replacement for sunglasses, as they reduce glare and improve eye comfort. However, remember that they don't filter out UV rays.
Prevent Potential Long-Term Eye Damage
While it's not backed by studies, some think that blue light from screens can have a damaging effect on your eyes’ retina.
If you're a cautious user, you may want to use blue light glasses to protect against potential long-term damage.
Ease Depression and Anxiety
As discussed before, the use of blue light glasses in the evening helps you sleep better at night and can improve your mood. As a result of that, you're less likely to feel depressed and anxious.
Practical Tips for Using Blue Light Glasses
Here are some best practices to make the most of these glasses:
Pick the Right Tint: Clear for day, yellow for screens, amber for night.
Wear Them During Screen Time: Use them mostly when you're in front of screens.
Pair Them with Healthy Habits: Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look away 20 feet, for 20 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let's address some commonly asked questions related to the benefits of blue light glasses.
Do Blue Light Glasses Really Work?
As far as research is concerned, results are mixed. Some studies show benefits for eye strain and sleep, some don't.
Who Should Use Blue Light Glasses?
They are perfect for:
- Heavy screen users, for instance, gamers and coders
- People with sleep issues
- And those with sensitivity to light
Can Blue Light Glasses Replace Sunglasses?
No, although they reduce glare, they don't offer UV-protection like sunglasses.
Are They Safe for All-Day Wear?
Yes, you can wear them all day. There's no evidence of significant side effects
Conclusion
Blue light can ease strain on your eyes, improve your sleep, and even lift your mood.
The cool thing is that there are no significant side effects of wearing these glasses, so you can wear them all day if you want.
If screens dominate your day, you want to try them out. Don't forget to pair them with smart screen habits like taking regular breaks.
