What are Blue Light Glasses and Are They Beneficial?

Blue light blocking glasses, or blue light blockers, are glasses that have a filter on the lenses that reflects wavelengths of blue and violet light. These glasses can be bought over the counter or have a prescription lens made with the blue light blocking filter. These lenses are frequently used to help with headaches and eye strain from digital device use and may offer additional health benefits for the eyes. 

Visible Light Spectrum 

All light that is visible, or colored, has a wavelength between 380 and 720 nanometers. Within this range, there is a spectrum of colors ranging from violet at 380 to red at 720. The shorter wavelengths of light produce blue and violet light and penetrate the eye better than the longer wavelengths of light. 
 

Where Blue Light Comes From

Blue light is produced by the sun as it emits all wavelengths of light. The sun is the biggest source of all blue light in the environment. In much smaller quantities, phones, tablets, and computer screens will emit an intense blue light. These monitors and screens are much closer to the eyes and the light emitted is focused more towards the blue light end of the spectrum. 
 

Blue Light Filters

The filters which act as blue light blockers on glasses are designed to create a reflection of any wavelength within a specific range of the blue light spectrum. These filters will cause the lens to appear slightly purple to those looking at the frame with ambient lighting. This is due to the reflection of the blue and violet light from the lenses.  The lenses may also appear to have a green reflection or tint from the absorption of the green light near the blue light spectrum. 
 

Benefits of Blue Light Filter Lenses

Having lenses that block excess blue light can relieve headaches, ease eye strain, and prevent damage to structures in the eyes. When viewing a digital device for a prolonged time, the blue light emitted by the screen may cause a stress related headache. Wearing blue light filtering lenses can help prevent the onset of these types of headaches. Similarly, eye strain or a sensation of pulling behind the eyes can occur after digital device use. This strain is worsened by the intensity of the blue light that these devices give off. Blue light blocking glasses will lessen the intensity of the blue light and allow less symptoms of eye strain.  Blue light is absorbed in the eyes by different structures including the lens and the retina. If these structures absorb too much blue light it can cause damage over time. Some conditions which have been linked to this potential damage include cataracts and macular degeneration. Wearing glasses with blue light blocking coatings can prevent the accumulation of damage to these structures which absorb blue light normally. 
 

Limitations of Blue Light Blockers

While there is a plethora of anecdotal evidence that blue light blocking lenses have improved symptoms of headaches or eye strain, there has been a lack of research evidence to justify the claims that blue light blocking lenses can reduce the risk of eye conditions such as cataracts or macular degeneration. Since the research cannot conclusively say that the blue light blockers were beneficial, it is recommended to only use them as a portion of a larger treatment or prevention plan.  
 

Our eye doctor at The Optical Centre in Longmont, CO excels in prescription of glasses, contact lenses and the diagnosis of a variety of eye diseases. Call our optometrist at 303-772-6650 or schedule an eye exam appointment online if you would like to learn more about or get a prescription for blue light blocking glasses. Our eye doctor, Dr. Erica Whitmire provides the highest quality optometry services and eye exams in Longmont, Colorado and its surrounding areas.