Harmful Blue Light & How Specs Can Help
COVID-19 has completely changed everyone’s day-to-day activities. People are now occupying their time in different ways. Could be spending more time outside, binge-watching the latest show on Netflix, students virtually learning, teachers creating their lessons online. Did you know that some of those activities could be harmful to your eyes? It’s alright, there are ways to protect your eyes!
On-Screen Learning
For Kansas, kids are no longer in school buildings for the 2019-2020 school year. That means they are in front of computer screens, phones, technology more than ever. Schools becoming completely virtual is a whole new way of learning for most students. Teachers are adapting to reaching their students through computer screens and finding new ways to get them engaged. With all this screen time we want to make sure you are taking care of your eyes. Computer screens, phones, and technology devices emit a significant amount of blue light. That blue light is unfocused visual noise that can reduce the contrast and can contribute to digital eye strain. The blue light can create headaches, fatigued eyes, and an overall tired feeling. Our eyes are able to block UV rays from reaching the light-sensitive part of our eye which is called the retina but blue light is able to penetrate all the way to the retina which is the inner lining of the back of the eye. Blue light works on short-wavelengths but it scatters more easily than other visible light which makes it not focus easily. This scattered and unfocused visual noise from screens is what causes digital eye strain.
HEV Light
The high energy visible light (HEV) but more commonly known as blue light can also be found in sun rays which makes sunglasses extremely important as well. Sunglasses are an investment for your eyes and can benefit you in the long run when it comes to eye health. Our sunglasses help protect you from the UV lights that you get outside and in everyday life. We make prescription sunglasses as well with so many options. We are able to create prescription sunglasses in various tints, mirrors, and polarized. Polarization helps take away the horizontal glare that you might experience off windshields, water, and some paved roads.
Not all blue light is harmful. Blue light is an important factor in our day-to-day lives. There is research to show that high-energy light can help you remember where you left your keys, improve overall mood, keep you alert and help cognitive function. There is light therapy that is used with high-energy visible light to help treat seasonal affective disorder which is depression that is in correlation with the seasons. Blue light can also help keep your circadian rhythm functioning properly. Have you scrolled through Facebook, watched too many Tik Toks, or read a book on a digital screen before bed? Chances are you then had trouble falling asleep and then super tired the next day. Too much blue light can throw off your circadian rhythm causing sleepless nights. A healthy amount of blue light during the day though can help you keep a healthy sleeping routine. Don’t let the fact that blue light can be found outside from the sun scare you. There are benefits to being in the sunshine like helping our bodies create the appropriate amount of vitamin D that we need. But out in the sun, we want to make sure you are protected! Grab the sunscreen and the sunglasses before you head outside!
Harmful Blue light in Unexpected Places
While the sun is the main source of blue light, it can also be found in fluorescent lighting, LED lights, cell phones, computer screens, and flat-screen TVs. Have you been on a Netflix binge lately? Help protect your eyes from harmful blue light with blue-blocking glasses. Protect yourself and the whole family! We have several options when it comes to blue light protection. There are blue light filters that are built within the lens. There are also blue light anti-reflective treatments that help protect you. These anti-reflective treatments are one of the most popular options. You often see a slight blue or purple hue to the front of the lens and when looking through them there is a slight yellow tint. Transition lenses help protect from harmful blue light as well. Transition lenses are when the lenses turn into sunglasses when you are outside and the lenses are exposed to sun rays. These lenses have protection when not transitioned but the percentage of protection increases as it darkens. These features can be put on just about any lens. These lenses can be with vision correction and without which also makes them perfect for contact wearers. Stop in or call and speak with one of our Eyewear Specialists to find out more about your blue light protecting options.
