Digital Screen Protection: Blue Light Lenses

November 19, 2020

As the pandemic persists, more people are resorting to home-based online work or study. This means spending more time in front of your computer and other digital gadgets. The American Optometric Association recognizes the increasing number of digital eye strain cases. Digital eye strain is the optical discomfort you get from working on your devices for at least two hours. Blue light causes it. To reduce the effects of blue light, experts recommend using blue light lenses. If you want to understand what blue light lenses are, here’s what you should know.

 

Definition

Aside from your gadgets, sunlight and certain light bulbs also give off blue light. This light can lead to vision loss because it can ruin your retina. According to experts, blue light lenses can reduce the effects of blue light such as digital eye strain. The technology in these lenses also protects your eyes from glare.

 

Effects

The following are some of the known effects of blue light lenses:

• Lowers the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Clinical studies show that blue light lenses can slow down or prevent AMD. This reduces your risk of losing your vision.

• Relieves digital eye strain. With the help of these lenses, your eyes can focus better while reducing the effects of digital eye strain. They can help you improve your productivity as you work on your computer for long hours.

• Improves sleep. Blue light slows down melatonin release, making you stay up longer than you should. This is common in people who still use their gadgets in bed. Research shows that blue light lenses help you fall asleep quickly, longer, and with better quality.
  
   

Unique Lens Components

If you work a lot on your computer, a lightweight pair of blue light lenses will suit you. While there are blue light lenses with several specialized layers, there are those that use melanin to filter blue light. Melanin is an organic pigment present in your skin. It protects you from UV light naturally. Melanin blue light lenses can filter about 98 percent of blue light.

 

Filtering Action

Blue light lenses have several layers of coating that are seared in. Every lens layer changes how light is reflected or absorbed. The coatings are designed to react to certain ranges of wavelengths. They allow all good wavelengths of light to pass through and block the bad ones. Various brands filter different levels of blue light from 10 percent to at least 90 percent. Average users of devices can benefit from blue light lenses that block 30 percent to 60 percent blue light.

 

AR Coating

You should choose blue light lenses that have an anti-reflective (AR) coating. With AR coating, you can block glare, which is a common cause of digital eye strain. It also permits more light to pass through the lens while increasing contrast.

 

Blue light lenses can help improve your quality of life by making you see more comfortably and sleep more soundly. At Eye Associates of New York, we have a large collection of blue light lens brands that can fit your needs. Please visit our clinic in New York, NY, for an in-person consultation. You can also call us at 212-650-4888. That way, we can help schedule your appointment or answer your questions about our blue light lens packages.