What Are Blue Light Glasses?

What Are Blue Light Glasses?

If you’ve ever seen a coworker who doesn’t typically wear glasses suddenly wearing them while at the computer, you probably just assume they are readers—glasses, in other words, that help people read fine print. While this is sometimes certainly the case, there is an increasing number of people who wear glasses while working at their desks for reasons having nothing to do with improved vision. These are likely blue light glasses.

Similar to how sunglasses protect from UV-light, blue light glasses protect from the light that is emitted from your computer, tablet, or other screens. This particular light is termed “blue light.”

Computer Vision Syndrome

Many people who work long hours at the office or spend lots of time staring at screens have experienced computer vision syndrome (CVS). This problem can result in blurry vision, headaches, and other problems. While some of these issues are fairly minor, when compounded on a daily basis can become chronic problems that affect not only how you feel but also your work, your mood, a much else. Whenever there is something that is causing you regular pain or harm, why not do everything you can to fix it? In the case of computer vision syndrome, there are several things you can do: 

  • Sit farther away from your computer: Research suggests that your parents were right, you shouldn’t sit so close to the TV! Or, for that matter, to your TV or other screens. Whenever possible, you should try to stay about an arms-length away from your computer. If this is making it difficult to read the font on your computer, you can increase the font size, or if the font size needs to be dramatically increased in order for you to sit at arm’s length, this may be a sign that you need to look into getting reading glasses. The good news is that there are brands out there that sell reading glasses that come with blue light protection.
  • Practice the 20-Minute Rule: Every twenty minutes or so that you stare at a screen, make sure to stop for at least 20 seconds and either shut your eyes or simply stare at something non-electronic. Ideally, you use some of these breaks to do physical activities like go for short walks or other physical things that will improve not just your computer vision syndrome but also your overall health.
  • Use Eye Drops: Sometimes, computer vision syndrome is caused by dry, un-moisturized eyes. This issue can usually be solved with eye drops. When it comes to dry eyes, most dermatologists recommend that you use a brand of eye drops that has “real tears” or “lubricating” rather than ones that specialize in “red eye relief” and other such issues, as the latter can work to actually draw moisture out of your eyes. The problem when it comes to using eye drops is that the solution can become pervasive. Meaning that if you do not work to solve the underlying issues causing your eye-issues, you may find yourself having to constantly put in eye drops. This is not only time-consuming, but it can also be expensive, as many of the best eye drop brands are not cheap!

The easiest and most effective step you can take to avoid the computer vision syndrome or more general screen-related eye fatigue is to wear blue light glasses. 

Blue light glasses don’t force you to change your routine or do anything other than slip on a comfortable, stylish pair of glasses when you are working at your computer. Wearing them will help block out any harsh lighting that may be causing eye strain, headache, or other potential issues while you are at work.