Introduction
What Is Blue Light?
The natural source of blue light is the sun's rays, which have a higher frequency and energy from 400 to 495 nanometres on the visible spectrum than other colours of light.
Apart from the sun, blue light is produced by LED lighting, fluorescent lighting, and electronic devices like computers, laptops, and smartphones. It penetrates into the structures of the eyes and reaches the retina easily.
Is Blue Light Harmful?
All of us are spending a considerable amount of time on the screens, which is leading to decreased blinking. Reduced blinking sometimes causes a series of temporary eye symptoms known as eye strain. The eye strain, in turn, causes headaches, blurred vision, and dry eyes. If the problem persists, it may even cause migraines.
Impact on Sleep Patterns
Excessive exposure to blue light, especially in the evening or nighttime, suppresses the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep. Evidence has proved that blue light affects the body's circadian rhythm - the natural wake-up and go-to-bed cycle.
To avoid this disruption, avoid using screens at least two to three hours before bed. Turning on night mode can also help to an extent. The confusion in the sleep-wake cycle can affect a child's sleep quality and duration, leading to daytime fatigue and reduced concentration.
Though there are mixed results by researchers on whether blue light lenses are effective or not, eye specialists recommend blue light glasses for students for precautionary purposes.
Symptoms of Digital Eye Strain
The severity of eye strain or computer vision syndrome depends on how long you use the digital device. The various symptoms may be
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Discomfort or strain in the eyes
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Headaches
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Blurred vision
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Pain in the shoulders, back, or neck
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Concentration issues
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Increased light sensitivity
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Dry eyes
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Eye fatigue
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Itchy eyes
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Eye redness
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Tearing
The good news is the symptoms of digital eye strain are usually temporary and subside when you reduce or stop using electronic devices.
What Can I Do To Ease Eye Strain?
To protect your eyes from strain, you can follow these tips:
1. Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Take a break every 20 minutes from the screen, and shift your eyes to look at an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. It relaxes your eyes and gives them a much-needed "time out".
2. Sit about 25 inches (arm's length) from the computer screen. Keep the screen position a little tilted downwards.
3. Setting your screen at eye level can prevent unnecessary strain on your eyes and pain in the neck, shoulder or back.
4. When you know you will use computer screens for a prolonged time, use artificial tears to refresh your eyes.
5. Don't use contact lenses continuously; give your eyes a break and wear your specs.
6. Routine eye checkups are recommended frequently to keep track of your eye health and for individual guidance.
7. Drink plenty of water for hydration.
8. The last thing is to keep your room well-lit to avoid glare entering your eyes through your screen. A dark room with a bright screen is a bad combination.
Are Blue Light Glasses For Students Helping?
Blue light-blocking glasses for students filter light emitted from digital screens. Computer glasses are said to help with digital eye strain. However, the recent development of blue light glasses has resulted in special lenses that have an additional slight yellow tint.
The yellow tint can filter certain light waves and reduce students' exposure to blue-violet rays, which can increase eye comfort. However, blue-light lenses are considered only part of the overall solution.
Some blue light glasses for students can also help reduce glare, which can be another contributing factor to eye strain.
Recent Researches
A 2024 American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) study revealed blue light is a minor factor in digital eye strain. Instead, it is often extended screen time and poor lighting conditions that combine with the wrong viewing distance or bad screen ergonomics.
Blue light glasses for students will only work if the glasses bought are extremely good, at least from stores that have good brands, such as Specsmakers. Any local blue light filter lenses may not work for your child's eyes.
So, your kid will need blue light glasses for students only if they use screens excessively or have pre-existing eye conditions.
Know More About Blue Light Glasses For Students At Specsmakers
Specsmakers is a popular retail store down south that sells sunglasses, eyewear, and lenses.
It has more than 250 stores in Chennai, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Erode, Arakkonam, Guntur, Hosur, Kanchipuram, Karur, Karaikudi, Kumbakonam, Madurai, Mangaluru, Mysore, Nagercoil, Nellore, Puducherry, Salem, Thanjavur, Tuticorin, Tumkur, Trichy, Tirunelveli, Tirupur, Tirupati, Vellore, and Viluppuram and is expanding at many more junctions.
Specsmakers works with a vision to provide good customer service to all its consumers - be it in the store or online. Their eyewear is usually of very good quality and pocket friendly, too.
At Specsmakers, their sales representatives are so well-versed in their job that they are always eager to help you.
If you want to know more about blue light lenses, visit their store for more clarity.
Key Takeaways
In recent years, people have become more cautious and take good care of their health and well-being. Similarly, with their eyes, the effects of blue light rays have become a matter of concern for all. Thus, blue light lenses have become popular recently. However, researchers have not proven 100% that these are effective.
However, it is also analysed that students can use them, as their eyes are more sensitive than adults', and the lenses may not fully but partially protect your eyes. Basically, blue light glasses for students can reduce digital eye strain and improve sleep quality, but they are not proper substitutes to reduce digital eye strain.
To reduce digital eye strain, practice good habits, take frequent breaks, and buy a good pair of eyewear from a reputed store with UV and blue light filters to save your eyes from harmful rays - be it indoors or outdoors.
FAQs
1. Do blue light glasses, especially for students?
The better the sleep habits, the more likely the health, memory, and performance in school of the students. This is why blue light-blocking glasses can be beneficial for kids.
2. Is there a difference between cheap and expensive blue light glasses?
Cheap blue light glasses do not filter the complete range of harmful wavelengths. So, it's better to invest in expensive blue light lenses.
3. Is it harmful to wear blue light glasses when not looking at a screen?
No, it's not harmful to wear blue light glasses in a routine process.
4. Is it ok to remove your glasses even when you are on the screen?
If your eyes are not blurry or fatigued, you need not wear it always when you are on screen.
5. What is the difference between blue light glasses and computer glasses?
Blue light glasses are used to filter blue light rays specifically, and computer glasses are used when you are using computers or laptops.
