When was the last time your eyes didn’t hurt after hours of screen time? Have you ever wondered what’s in your devices that your eyes just can’t stand. The answer is ‘blue light’.
If you don’t know, let us tell you that blue light is present in all your digital devices and when your eyes are exposed to it for a long time, you will feel symptoms like blurry vision and eye pain. So, what is this blue light? And why is it so bad? Let’s find out.
What is blue light?
The coloured light spectrum consists of so many different colours of lights. From red, orange to blue, all of the lights have different frequencies, wavelengths and energy.
Blue light lies on the end of the spectrum with its short wavelengths and high energy. Even though the sunlight appears white, it has a blue light and helps your body to stay awake and boost awareness when you spend time in the sun.
However, when this light emits from your devices, it doesn’t do any good. On the contrary, it poses a threat to your eye health and leads to unpleasant visual symptoms.
The best way to block blue light when spending screen time is to use prescription computer glasses. These glasses have active blue light filters on the lenses and prevent your eyes from damage no matter how long you use digital screens.
Where do you get blue light from?
The largest source of blue waves is the sun. blue light is actively present in the sunlight and enhances your cognitive functions when you spend time in the sun.
However, you will also get this light from:
- Digital screens
- LED light
- Fluorescent light
- CFLs
The amount of blue light you get from the screen is minimal in comparison with what you get from the sun. And although there are concerns over the long-term exposure to the blue light, it is able to cause discomforts and damage even in the short run.
What does blue light lead to?
If you continue to indulge in screen time without taking small breaks in between and using eyeglasses with blue lenses, you will have to face the following temporary side effects.
Digital eye strain
Blue light scatters easily into the environment which is basically why the sky appears blue. This makes the screens unfocused and your eyes struggle while reading the text on the screen.
As your eyes are putting in extra efforts to deal with the blue light, you will soon start to feel uncomfortable symptoms such as eye strain, blurry vision and headaches. All these symptoms are together termed as digital eye strain that bothers you every time you look at a screen.
Sleep disruption
A part of the reason why you feel energised and awake during the day is blue light exposure. Whether you get it from the sun or your beloved smartphone or laptop, the blue waves will reduce melatonin production in your body. It is a hormone that puts your body to sleep.
While this might be helpful during the day, it could be quite troublesome at night. So, if you look at these screens late at night, you will feel trouble falling asleep.
This is why you must use blue light glasses when indulging in screen time at night. You can add the coating on the lenses of prescription or reading glasses for men and women.
How to protect your eyes from blue light?
Well, the best way is to use blue light glasses. But, you can take extra measures to ensure that your eyes are safe and healthy.
- Take breaks in between screen time. These breaks don’t have to be longer than necessary. Taking a 20-second break every 20 minutes would be enough.
- Blink your eyes as it will lubricate the surface and make your eyes feel relaxed.
- Make sure that the source of light is not placed behind you or your screen. It might cause glare and make it even harder for your eyes to see.
- Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. It is good for your eyes too.
- Practice eye exercises to make your ocular muscles more flexible. Focusing at the same distance for long hours leads to problems with eye movements.
- Eat healthy so your eyes are nourished and strong from within.
- Wear blue light or computer glasses. If you don’t have them, buy them from retailers who provide same-day glasses delivery.
Eye pain and strain from devices are temporary. But, if they persist or don’t disappear on their own, see an eye doctor about this situation. This could be a sign of vision decline. If the doctor asks you to wear prescription glasses, make sure you get blue light filters for the lenses.
