Blue Light Protection
Did You Know?
Melatonin is the hormone that lets us know when it’s time to sleep. It’s usually around sunset when our melatonin levels start to increase.
Blue light, whether coming from the sun or a screened device, inhibits melatonin production, which results in poor quality and possibly reduced amounts of sleep. Moreover, researchers report a connection between a decrease in melatonin production and conditions such as depression, obesity, and metabolic syndrome.
Blue Light Protection Q&A
Blue light is a color in the visible light spectrum that can be seen by human eyes. Blue-violet light has a wavelength of 415 to 455 nm and is close on the spectrum to ultraviolet (UV) light. It is a short wavelength, which means it produces higher amounts of energy.
Blue light is everywhere in our world. It used to be that the only source of blue light was from the sun. Now with the emergence of electronics, we have excessive exposure to blue light via TVs, cellphones, computers, tablets, gaming systems, and LED & fluorescent lighting.
If you suffer from any of the following symptoms, you’d likely benefit from the relief blue light protection offers:
- Eye Strain
- Headaches/Migraines
- Trouble Sleeping
- Dry Eyes
- Fluctuations in Vision
If after prolonged use of your devices, your eyes feel tired, strained, sore, or have forced blinking, you are likely suffering from digital eye strain. This issue arises from a combination of the blue light exposure, the constant flickering and glare of your LED screens, reduced blink rate and having to maintain your eye’s focus at near for an extended period of time.
Blue Light Protection is not the end-all be-all solution to alleviate symptoms associated with excessive screen time usage. We also recommend the following:
- Frequent breaks are important. Practice the 20-20-20 Rule: Every 20 minutes, look at least 20 feet away, for at least 20 seconds.
- Anti-Reflective / No-Glare Coating reduces the amount of glare from overhead lighting and screened devices.
- Artificial Tears are helpful to help bring more moisture to your eyes due to decreased blink rate when using screened devices.
- Dim the brightness on your devices.
- Install blue-light filtering applications.
- Set an alarm 1 hour before bed to remind yourself to quit using your device.
We will inspect your glasses at the time of your examination to see what coatings you may have. Typically, standard blue light coatings may have a purple, blue, or even green sheen to them.
Our premium blue light technologies limit this sheen, as we find many of our patient’s prefer to have the clearest lenses possible. This can also vary based on the lens material in your glasses.