Do Blue Light Glasses Help with Astigmatism?
Astigmatism affects millions of people worldwide. People with this condition have a distorted or blurred vision. The good thing is that with corrective lenses, it’s possible to have 100% vision.
But, if you're reading this, you're probably asking, “Do blue light glasses help with astigmatism?”.
The Simple answer is no, blue light glasses don’t treat astigmatism. But they can have a range of other benefits that can help you cope with this condition better. In this guide, we'll talk about those, how blue light glasses work, what science says, and more.
Let's dive in.
What Are Blue Light Glasses and How Do They Work?
Blue light glasses are designed to filter out some or most of the blue light coming out of digital screens, such as laptops, mobile phones, and TVs.
It's a part of the visible light spectrum with wavelengths in the high-energy part. The sun also emits this light, which helps us stay awake during the day.
At night, however, exposure to blue light can cause eye strain and sleep issues (Since blue light interferes with the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone).
So, to cope with these side effects, people wear blue light glasses, especially when they're in front of screens.
Blue lights come in three different styles:
Clear Blue Light Glasses: Block 10% to 30% blue light with a slight, unnoticeable tint.
Yellow-Tinted Blue Light Glasses: Block 30 - 50% blue light and have a noticeable yellow tint. They’re ideal for screen time.
Amber-Tinted Blue Light Glasses: Block 50 - 90% blue light with a strong amber tint. They’re best for improving sleep.
Understanding Astigmatism
The condition occurs when your cornea or lens has an irregular shape, causing light to focus on the retina unevenly. The result? Blurred or distorted vision.
Astigmatism can affect near and far vision and can occur alongside other eye conditions like nearsightedness and farsightedness.
Symptoms include:
- Blurred or distorted vision
- Eye strain
- Headaches
- Difficulty seeing at night
- Squinting to see clearly
Your eye specialist can detect astigmatism during a routine eye exam by measuring the curvature of your cornea. Only a professional can tell you if you need corrective lenses or not.
Do Blue Light Glasses Help With Astigmatism?
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Do blue light glasses help with astigmatism? No, blue light glasses don’t treat or help with astigmatism directly. Here’s why:
Astigmatism is a Structural Issue
An irregular shape of the cornea or lens causes astigmatism, which affects how light enters your eye. The sole function of blue light glasses is to block some or most of the blue light, not to correct the shape of the cornea or how light enters it.
Astigmatism Needs Corrective Lenses
To fix how your cornea refracts light, you need to use corrective lenses (Often called toric lenses) or glasses. They compensate for the irregular shape of the cornea.
Blue Light Glasses Serve a Different Purpose
Blue light glasses serve one purpose only: to block blue light and protect your eyes from its short-term and long-term side effects.
So, while they might help with symptoms like dry eyes and headaches that result from prolonged exposure to screens, blue light glasses won’t fix the underlying cause of astigmatism.
If you spend a lot of time in front of screens and have astigmatism, wearing blue light glasses can help ease eye strain.
Since corrective lenses and blue light glasses serve a different purpose, wearing them at the same time isn’t a problem.
What Does Science Say?
Scientific studies support the theory that blue light glasses can help improve sleep quality and reduce eye strain.
Blue light interferes with melatonin production, the hormone that regulates our sleep. Avoiding blue light, especially in the evening, helps improve sleep.
However, there’s no scientific evidence that blue light glasses can improve or treat astigmatism.
How to Manage Astigmatism?
If you have this eye condition, here’s how you can manage it effectively:
Corrective Lenses
It’s fair to say that most people with astigmatism use corrective lenses or glasses. Only an eye doctor can prescribe them based on your specific refractive error.
According to the Mayo Clinic, contact lenses and eyeglasses are the most non-invasive way to treat this condition.
Refractive Surgery
In some cases, surgery offers a long-term solution to astigmatism. It involves reshaping the cornea to fix the error.
Surgery offers a permanent fix, but it’s not suitable for everyone.
Regular Eye Checkups
Astigmatism can evolve, so it’s a good idea to have regular check-ups. According to the American Optometric Association, you should have an eye checkup every 1 - 2 years.
Combine Astigmatism Correction with Blue Light Glasses
You can ask your doctor to add a blue light filter to your contact lenses if you’re already using them for astigmatism.
This way, you get the vision correction as well as the benefits of blue light glasses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s address some frequently asked questions related to blue light glasses, astigmatism, and your eye health.
What Type of Glasses Are Best for Astigmatism?
Prescription glasses with toric lenses fix astigmatism by correcting your cornea’s shape. For night driving with astigmatism, consider using anti-glare glasses.
Do Blue Light Glasses Improve Vision?
Blue light glasses don’t improve your vision. Their only purpose is to filter out some or most of the blue light coming out of digital displays.
Why is Blue Light Bad for Your Eyes?
Blue light keeps you awake during the day. But, excessive exposure to it can induce eye strain and disrupt your sleep by suppressing melatonin (The sleep hormone).
Are Blue Light Glasses Safe for People With Astigmatism?
Yes, blue light glasses are safe for people with astigmatism. They don’t interfere with your vision and offer protection from the blue light.
Conclusion
Astigmatism is a refractive error caused by an irregular shape of the cornea. To fix it, your doctor either prescribes corrective lenses or suggests surgery for a permanent solution.
Blue light glasses don’t help with astigmatism. Their only function is to block the blue light before it reaches your eyes.
As a result, they’ve become an effective and popular tool for reducing eye strain. You can also improve your sleep quality by wearing them in the evening (Since avoiding blue light at night can help the production of melatonin).
