Thanks to modern technology, life has never been more convenient. It’s no secret that people are exposed to screens at work and home. You can watch, shop, learn, socialize, and even make a living with a few simple clicks on your mobile phone or laptop. While technology has made life easier, it has also introduced several factors that can affect one’s health—including blue light.
What is Blue Light?
All visible light emits different wavelengths and colors. Blue light has one of the shortest wavelengths (approximately 380 to 500 nanometers) and the highest emitted energy of visible light. Nowadays, blue light is more present than ever. First, it’s unavoidable because almost all commonly used light sources emit blue light, from fluorescent light bulbs to the sun.
Most screens, meaning computers, laptops, televisions, and other mobile devices, use LED technologies that use large amounts of blue light. People are spending most of their waking hours looking at screens. This exposure, especially at close range, can become strenuous to the eyes and even affect one’s circadian rhythm.
How Can You Protect Your Eyes?
There are simple eye care practices that you should incorporate into your daily routine, especially if screen time is an essential part of your work. You can make simple adjustments to your workspace to ensure your computer placement is optimal to prevent eye and back strain. When you’re in front of the screen all day, try to follow the 20-20-20 rule: take a break from the screen every 20 minutes and look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Don’t forget to use the proper protective eyewear like blue light glasses. If you have poor vision, you can ask your optometrist for lenses that include a blue light filter. And if you’re one of the lucky people that doesn’t need graded lenses, you can keep your eyes healthy by using blue light glasses.
The How’s and Why’s of Blue Light Glasses and Eye Wellness
How Do Blue Light Glasses Work?
Your eyes have natural blockers, but these are not effective enough against too much blue light, which can eventually reach and affect the retina. Blue light glasses have lenses that have been treated to assist your eyes in making sure you’re effectively blocking out blue light wavelengths that your devices emit. Additionally, blue light glasses are also great at preventing glare that can potentially add even more strain to your eyes.
Why Should You Use Blue Light Glasses to Protect Your Eyes?
1. Prevent serious damage
Of course, keeping sun and screen exposure minimum is the best way. However, not everyone can afford or even commit to that luxury. The next best thing is to ensure you’re doing what you can to lessen the strain on your eyes. Prevention is always better than cure. Doing your best to incorporate safety practices like wearing the right protection for your eyes can help prevent serious damage in the future.
2. Perform better at work.
You’ll be able to do your best at work when you feel healthy and free of any discomfort. Using blue light glasses can help undercut the effects of blue light and screen glare, both factors that add to digital eye strain. Whether you’re a new hire trying to impress your new employer or someone trying to see better results in your next performance review, taking care of your vision can help you achieve your goals.
3. Improve your sleep cycle.
Blue light strongly affects the human circadian rhythm—or your internal body clock that regulates your sleep-wake cycle. Exposure to blue light, especially at night, can disrupt your circadian rhythm and make it difficult for you to maintain a healthy sleep routine.
Getting enough sleep is essential for one to function well daily. It affects every aspect of one’s health. It helps rest our minds and bodies for the next day. Sleep also allows your eyes to truly rest and regenerate. Use eye drops or lubrication to help prevent dryness or red, bloodshot eyes.
4. Enjoy life more!
It is easy to take advantage of a good vision. However, eye wellness practices, including wearing blue light glasses, can help you do well at work and enjoy your life more. Imagine going out for the weekend with digital eye strain from too much screen exposure. Dry, irritated, and tired eyes don’t go well with a fun day out with friends and loved ones, so don’t forget to take care of your eyes at work so you can make more memories outside of it.
Blue light glasses do much more than protect your eyes from technology’s varying screen sizes, from the LED TV screen to laptops to tablets and smartphones. They help you do better at work and get more out of life.