Even before the coronavirus pandemic, more and more people have already been working from home or engaging in distance learning. The virtual setup doesn’t involve stressful commute hours and offers greater flexibility. But being cooped up in the house all day long comes with its own downside. Not only does it require a lot of self-discipline, but it also makes you vulnerable to digital eyestrain. You have heard about blue lenses, which are known to keep your eyes from becoming too dry and fatigued as you use your digital devices, but do they really work?

 

How Blue Light Affects Your Eyes

Your body is dictated by its circadian rhythms, which are a part of your internal clock. One of these essential rhythms is your sleep-wake cycle. This process that drives you to be alert during the day and be tired at night depends on a hormone known as melatonin. It’s secreted when it’s dark outside. Exposure to light at nighttime can confuse this process. When the production of melatonin is suppressed, you tend to stay awake longer.

 

A study published in the National Library of Medicine suggests that blue light is a potent melatonin suppressant. This claim was further demonstrated in a 2014 research. It revealed that using an iPad, which emits blue light, before going to bed suppresses melatonin. This was compared to reading the traditional hard copy of books, which doesn’t cause the same effect. Findings show that iPad readers only began producing the hormone an hour and a half later than normal the next day.

 

How Do Blue Light Glasses Work?

According to Prevent Blindness, a volunteer organization committed to saving sight, blue light from digital devices can decrease the screen’s contrast, causing digital eye strain.

 

Blue light glasses are designed to block blue light. Manufacturers claim that the lenses have surface coatings or materials that filter out a portion of blue light that enters your eyes. There are still limited studies to prove its efficacy. But you may consider using blue lenses to potentially ease the symptoms associated with prolonged exposure to blue light.

 

Tips to Reduce Digital Eyestrain

Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to ease the symptoms associated with digital eyestrain. Start by tweaking the lighting in your workspace. Too much brightness from your window or lamp can result in monitor glare, which can tire your eyes. Try adjusting your monitor display, such as brightness, contrast, and text size. Use dark more whenever necessary. Reading white texts on black backgrounds can lessen blurred vision and headaches. Strengthen your eyes by practicing focus exercises. You may also take a break by applying the 20-20-20 rule. The precept is to look at an object from 20 feet away every 20 minutes for 20 seconds. More importantly, you have to go for an eye checkup regularly. Not only will your eye doctor address any visual problems you may have. They can also monitor your eye and vision health, reducing your risk of developing more severe diseases.

 

Learn more about blue lenses for digital eye strain, contact Optical Masters in Optical Masters at (720) 780-8881, (720) 780- 9970, or (720) 82-2190.