What is Blue Light & How Does it Affect Our Eyes?

In today's digital world, screens are an inescapable part of everyday life. People spend hours in front of computers, tablets, and phones, often without considering the potential harm that screen time might be causing to their eyes. Blue light glasses, designed to filter the blue-violet light emitted from these screens, aim to reduce eye strain and improve visual comfort.

Many wearers report a reduced frequency of headaches and improved sleep quality after choosing glasses with a blue light filter, but what do these special lenses do?

Understanding Blue Light

Blue light, a part of the visible light spectrum, is emitted from both natural and artificial sources. The blue-violet light sits on the high energy, short wavelength end of the spectrum; red is the opposite end, with lower energy and a longer wavelength. These two colours represent the extremes of visible light - beyond this, the human eye is ‘blind’.

The problem with blue-violet light is its comparably high energy, which translates to a certain amount of strain, something that can become a problem after prolonged exposure.

Sources of Blue Light

Blue light is found naturally in sunlight, but the amount emitted varies depending on the amount of sunlight, reducing in the afternoon, and disappearing entirely once the sun has set. Screens produce the same amount of blue light all of the time, making them particularly damaging to the circadian rhythm when used at night.

Artificial sources of blue light are recognised to be the most damaging and unfortunately have gained prominence with the use of digital screens, such as computers, smartphones, and tablets. Fluorescent and LED lighting also emit blue light, adding to indoor exposure.

The widespread presence of artificial lighting means individuals are exposed to blue light at greater levels than in the past, affecting exposure even after sunset.

Blue light lenses can be used to filter out this high-energy light, protecting the eyes from the light’s damaging effects.

Effects of Blue Light on Eyes

Exposure to blue light, especially from screens, can lead to eye strain, characterised by symptoms like dryness, irritation, and headaches. The high energy levels can contribute to retinal damage over prolonged periods. Studies also suggest that excessive blue light exposure can disrupt sleep patterns by affecting melatonin production. This is an important consideration those who use digital devices in the evenings should make.

Despite these concerns, not all blue light is harmful. Some exposure is necessary during daylight hours to support alertness and mood regulation.

Benefits of Blue Light Glasses

Enhanced Sleep Quality

Exposure to blue light, especially in the evening, can interfere with the natural sleep-wake cycle, also known as the circadian rhythm. Blue light glasses can help wearers maintain a more natural level of exposure to blue light, and regular their circadian rhythm.

Melatonin production, which is crucial for sleep, is often suppressed by blue light emitted by screens. Wearers can use filters to maintain melatonin levels by filtering out short-wavelength light, leading to an improvement in sleep quality. For this reason, blue light lenses are particularly beneficial during evening screen use. During a study of blue light and sleep, wearers report falling asleep more easily and experiencing fewer disruptions throughout the night.

Reduced Digital Eye Strain

Extended periods in front of digital screens frequently result in a phenomenon known as digital eye strain. Symptoms like dry eyes, headaches, and blurred vision are common among regular screen users. By filtering blue light exposure, blue light glasses can reduce the effects of digital eye strain, offering substantial relief for those who spend significant time using screens.

Technological Advances in Blue Light Lenses

Modern blue light lenses feature advanced lens materials and sophisticated coating technologies. This gives the lenses enhanced light filtration efficiency without compromising visual clarity. Polycarbonate is commonly used in glasses lenses. This material is highly compatible with blue light filter coatings while ensuring the lenses remain lightweight and impact-resistant.

Advanced blue-light blocking coatings are applied to the glasses lens during manufacture, fused into the polycarbonate, to create a very robust and permanent blue-light blocking finish. Anti-reflective coatings also improve visual comfort by reducing glare. This balance allows for prolonged screen use without significant eye strain, appealing to those spending extended hours in front of digital devices.

Should you get a blue light filter?

It is highly recommended to opt for a blue light filter when choosing new glasses or having your existing glasses reglazed. This invisible barrier can help to shield your eyes from damaging, high-energy blue light that is emitted from screens, leading to better sleep, less eye strain, and increased comfort.

We offer two types of blue light filters with our glasses; UV Blue and UV Blue+. Both offer superb blue light blocking capability and are constructed from UV420+ material for UVA and UVB filtering. 

Our UVBlue lens technology is used to make clear lenses that cut HEV light in the 400–420 nm part of the spectrum, in addition to blocking all UV wavelengths. UV Blue+ has the added advantage of an anti-glare coating that further reduces eye strain by filtering glare and reflections.

When choosing blue light lenses it is important to ensure you are buying from a reputable supplier, many products on the market claim to block blue light but lack certified efficacy.

How to add a blue light blocking filter to your glasses

Blue light filters can only be added to glasses lenses during the manufacturing process. This unfortunately means that if your glasses don’t have a blue light filter, they will need to be reglazed or you will need to purchase a new pair of glasses with the filter applied. 

When ordering glasses with us, a blue light filter can be selected during checkout. Your glasses will then be created to your prescription, and feature a blue light filter infused into the lenses for long-lasting blue light blocking.

For more information about our blue light filters, head over to our blue light lenses page, or to browse our range of glasses frames, visit our online selection today.

Blue Light Glasses Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of wearing blue light blocking glasses?

Blue light blocking glasses can help reduce digital eye strain. Wearers may experience less discomfort during prolonged screen time. They are often valued for their potential to improve sleep quality by filtering out blue light exposure in the evening.

Can blue light lenses improve vision comfort during screen use?

Yes, blue light lenses can enhance vision comfort, especially for individuals with long screen exposure. These lenses are designed to minimise glare and decrease eye fatigue. This makes them a useful accessory for frequent computer users.

How effective are blue light glasses in blocking harmful light from screens?

Blue light glasses generally block between 20% to 50% of blue light. While they do not eliminate all blue light, they significantly reduce exposure, which may help protect the eyes over time.

Are blue light filters available with prescription glasses?

Yes, any prescription glasses can have a blue light filter added to the lenses. These combinations allow wearers to enjoy vision correction benefits alongside blue light protection.

What exactly is blue light, and why should I be concerned about it?

Blue light is a high-energy visible light emitted from both natural and artificial sources, including the sun and digital screens. Its high energy can contribute to eye strain and, over time, may cause retinal stress and sleep disturbances, particularly if you’re exposed to it in the evening.

How can blue light glasses improve sleep quality?

By filtering out blue light, particularly in the 400-420 nm range, blue light glasses help regulate melatonin production. This hormone is essential for sleep, and exposure to blue light can suppress it. Wearing blue light glasses in the evening may help users fall asleep more easily and enjoy uninterrupted rest.

Can blue light blocking glasses actually reduce digital eye strain?

Yes, blue light lenses are designed to reduce the high-energy light that often causes digital eye strain, helping reduce common symptoms like dryness, blurred vision, and headaches. Anti-glare coatings further enhance comfort by minimising screen reflections and glare.

Are there different types of blue light filters, and which one should I choose?

Many blue light lenses are available, including standard UV Blue and UV Blue+ lenses. UV Blue+ provides an additional anti-glare coating, which further reduces eye strain and enhances comfort. The choice depends on your screen usage, particularly in low-light conditions.

Can I add a blue light filter to my existing glasses?

Blue light filters need to be applied during the manufacturing process, so existing glasses would require a reglaze or a new lens. If you’re ordering new glasses, you can select blue light blocking options during checkout for long-lasting blue light protection.

Do blue light lenses change the color of what I see?

Most modern blue light lenses are designed to maintain natural color balance while blocking harmful blue light. Premium blue light lenses use advanced coatings to ensure clear, natural vision, making them suitable for everyday wear without noticeable color distortion.

How can blue light exposure impact my long-term eye health?

While research is ongoing, prolonged exposure to high-energy blue light may stress the retina and contribute to age-related eye conditions. Wearing blue light glasses can be a proactive measure to support eye health, particularly if you spend extended hours on digital devices.

What should I look for in high-quality blue light blocking glasses?

Look for lenses with certified blue light filtration, anti-reflective coatings, and UV protection. Quality lenses will offer UV420+ material for broad-spectrum blocking, ensuring comfort, clarity, and effective blue light filtering.