Decoding The Mystery Of Blue Light
As your optometrist, I've always cherished the profound bonds and rich dialogues that I've shared with many of you over the years. These dialogues often transcend routine clinical discussions and venture into diverse territories of life and health. One such enlightening conversation happened recently with one of my very well-read patients about lens coatings - specifically, blue light blocking glasses. You might have noticed several 'biohackers' donning yellow-tinted glasses, or seen brands like Oakley releasing a variety of tints, including a 'gaming' tint targeted at computer gamers. So, the question naturally arises: Do these tints actually do anything?
Before answering this, let's understand what blue light is. It's part of the electromagnetic spectrum, and most of our exposure to it comes from sunlight. It's also emitted artificially from our digital devices and LED light bulbs. While it's true that blue light sits close to UV light in the spectrum, which is known for posing risks to skin and eyes, the evidence suggesting that regular exposure to blue light, including that from digital screens, causes any significant damage to our eyesight is not overwhelming. A striking case from the UK underscores this point, where a chain was fined for misleading customers about the potential damage blue light may be causing to their eyes. This serves as a strong reminder of the need for evidence-based information in health-related discussions, especially about the impact of blue light on our vision and overall health. The Chief Clinical Officer at Optometry Australia, Luke Arundel, affirms this perspective. "The level of blue light exposure from computer screens and mobile devices is less than that absorbed when you step out into natural sunlight – and is below the international safety limits," he says. "So at this stage, we don't need to worry about computers or phones 'frying' our eyes."
While blue light may not be the primary villain in terms of eye health, its role in digital eye strain and sleep disruption is under scrutiny. Good sleep hygiene is a result of multiple factors and not solely due to blue light from screen use. Similarly, digital eye strain is often a result of spending lengthy periods on digital devices and decreased blinking, which affects eye lubrication, rather than blue light exposure.
Coming back to our question about those yellow-tinted, blue light blocking glasses - do they really work? The answer is not clear-cut. While some users find them beneficial, others notice no significant difference. The current scientific evidence suggesting that these glasses alleviate digital eye strain is limited. Furthermore, blocking all blue light during the day might not be advisable, as blue light boosts attention, reaction times, and mood.
There are other effective ways to reduce eye strain that do not require special glasses. For instance, the 20/20 rule (every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look into the distance), staying hydrated, using lubricating eye drops, and reducing screen brightness can help.
In conclusion, while blue light blocking glasses may offer some benefits to certain individuals, they are not a one-size-fits-all remedy for digital eye strain or sleep disruption. As always, feel free to ask us for any advice regarding tints or eye strain management.
As I continue my conversations with you, my patients, I hope to keep learning and exploring the fascinating world of health and wellness. I am reminded that health is indeed a journey, and we are in this journey together.
- Jillian
