In this new normal era, we spend more time in front of the computer and other digital devices. Our obsession with electronic devices will continue in the future too. When you use electrical devices all the time, it’s important to know that a digital LED screen provides high-energy blue light. Although we get most of the same from the sun, eyes struggle to cope with that light.
Many studies have found out that overexposure to this light can harm our eyes, and it can interrupt our sleep schedule as well. One of the best ways to prevent this light is to wear glasses that protect the eyes. Here you must know that not all blue light preventing glasses are made equally, and they might not be effective as they are advertised. If you are concerned about the quality of the glasses you bought, then go through some tests before you make sure to return the product or keep it.
What is Blue Light?
The human eyes can adjust 380 to 740 nanometers wavelengths. In the case of blue light, it has the shortest length but it has powerful energy which is called HEV or high energy visible ray. When you look at the sun, you won’t be able to stare at it for a long time, because it will not only hurt your vision, it can also cause damage. But you have to spend hours in front of your computer working and the blue light can still hurt your eyes without you knowing it.
Blue light is not a filtered source, which means it can create deeper damage to the retina. In recent studies, it is found that long-time exposure to blue light can not only hurt your eyes but damage your overall health as well. It can create health issues like,
- Blindness
- Muscular degeneration
- Disruption of the circadian rhythm
- Digital eye strain
- Insomnia
However, blue light isn’t entirely bad, as it can lift your mood, gives you the energy to work and make you more alert. These things are beneficial in the daytime. But when the night falls, your body requires to reset and sleep. Most people take their digital devices to bed and check the contents until they fall asleep. However, checking your tablet or mobile will give you little to no sleep at night and this happens because of the powerful blue light emission.
Why Do You Need Blue Light Glasses?
Blue light glasses are useful because they will protect your eyes from overexposure from the hurting light. You will get better sleep if you check your mobile before going to bed or work at night with your laptop. The glasses will help you avoid eye strain after watching the computer screen for a long time. You will get fewer headaches after continuous screen timing. Blue light glasses will also reduce the chances of any eye disease that is caused by blue light.
Thus, when you need such glasses, it’s best to buy them from reliable manufacturers. Night Eye is a browser extension that enables dark mode on nearly any website. The extension is one of the best ways to help people who are sensitive to light and spend a lot of time in front of the screens. In addition, the extension has a blue light filter, which arguably is one of the best ways to relieve the eye strain caused by excessive starring at screens.
How to Test Blue Light Blocking Glasses?
There are some best ways to test blue light glasses. They are effective and you can do the tests easy to find out the best product.
Ask for Blue Light Glasses Spectrum report from the manufacturer. You can contact directly the manufacturer, and ask them for the spectrum report. This will show you the level of filter the glass can offer. If you are checking computer glass, it will have a clear lens and you can wear them in the daytime only, after sunset these glasses are useless. When the company sends you the report you have to check if the glasses can block at least 30% of the blue light of the entire range. You must avoid the company advertisement while checking the report. Also, ask the manufacturer company if the glasses block violet rays.
RGB Color test
This is another solid test where you have to use a chart. You need to wear glasses and check the chart. If the glasses are filtering the light then the B section on the chart will look black and the G part will darken too. This shows that the glasses are filtering a section of green light, which is very crucial after sundown. If the green circle appears to be less bright then the glasses are of good quality.
The lens reflection test
You can also test your blue-light-blocking glasses at home. You just have to wear the glasses and check which lights are reflecting off the glass. If the blue one is reflecting off it, then it is filtering the same. If the reflection is purple or violet then you have to understand that it isn’t blocking the blue light perfectly. This is the easiest way of checking the blue light glasses are effective or not.
Spectral Analysis test
This is the safest and the best way to test your blue-light-blocking glasses. Here you have to use a lab-grade spectrometer. If the lights are purple or violet then the glasses are not blocking the blue light effectively. You have to know if the glasses can block the light after the sun is down. You can go for orange or red lenses, and ask for a spectrum report. If the red lenses aren’t blocking the entire blue light then return them, or refrain from buying them. If the glasses aren’t able to block 100% of the blue light at night time then it’s useless. You can also get access to a lab-grade spectrometer to check the glasses. The best way is to ask for the spectrum report before making the buying decision.
Buy blue light blocking glasses from a reliable seller or a manufacturer and you won’t have to worry about the efficiency of the product. Also, the seller or the manufacturer will offer you a spectrum report to earn the trust of their customers.
What are Blue Light Glasses?
Blue light glasses are a type of eyewear that blocks blue light from entering your eyes. Blue light is the type of light that is emitted by electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and televisions.
The use of these glasses has been proven to improve sleep quality and reduce eye strain. They also help with symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). However, it’s important to note that there are no long-term studies on the effects of wearing blue light glasses.
There are many reasons why people might want to wear these glasses. Some people may want them for their general health benefits while others might want them for specific reasons like SAD or eye strain caused by using electronic devices too much.
What is the Difference between Blue Light Blocking Glasses and Blue Light Filtering Glasses?
Blue light blocking glasses are designed to reduce the amount of blue light that enters your eyes. They do this by filtering out the blue light spectrum.
Blue light filtering glasses are designed to reduce the amount of blue light that enters your eyes. They do this by adding a yellow tint to the lens which filters out some of the blue light spectrum.
How Do You know if You Need to Wear Blue Light Glasses?
The majority of our time is spent indoors, where the light is artificial. This means that we are exposed to high levels of blue light, which can interfere with our natural circadian rhythms.
Blue light has been shown to suppress melatonin production and disrupt sleep. It also suppresses the production of vitamin D by the body.
Do You Need to Wear Blue Light Glasses?
If you use electronic devices for more than 2 hours a day and your eyes hurt, then yes. If you find yourself squinting at screens and feel like there is a foggy haze over what you see, then it’s time to break out the blue light-blocking lenses. Wearing these shades will help your eyes relax and not tire as quickly after prolonged exposure to screens.
How Do You know if You are Sensitive to Blue Light?
Blue light is a type of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength of between 400 and 500 nanometers.
The most common symptoms of blue light sensitivity are eye strain, headaches, sleep problems, decreased visual acuity, dry eyes, and blurred vision.
How Do You Measure the Protection of a Pair of Blue Light Glasses?
The protection of a pair of blue light glasses can be measured by the following factors:
– The type of blue light the glasses protect against.
– The level of protection that the glasses provide.
– The wavelength coverage.
– The amount or percentage of visible light transmitted through the lenses.
– Lens color and tinting.
What are the Side Effects of Wearing Blue Light Glasses?
Blue light glasses are not just eyewear. They are also a tool for managing your sleep cycle.
People who wear blue light glasses have reported that they have better moods and less anxiety. There is also a study that shows that blue light glasses can reduce the production of melatonin, which is the hormone responsible for regulating sleep cycles.
Further read – How to clean blue light glasses
