What measures do you take to protect yourself from the sun?
At this point, everyone knows that sunscreen isn’t only for the beach, and prolonged sun exposure can cause a range of health problems. But what about our eyes? Eye health is something we all take for granted.
If you want to preserve your eyesight, it’s best to start wearing the right protective wear. Sunglasses can protect our eyes from glare and dust, but do sunglasses block blue light?
What even is blue light? This article covers everything you need to know about blue light protection. Read on to find out more.
What is Blue Light?
The sun is not the only thing that can damage our eyesight. Cellphones, computers, and TVs have artificial light, known as blue light. It’s a form of electromagnetic radiation that’s similar to the sun’s light.
The sun also emits blue light, but most of our exposure comes from digital devices. One-third of our exposure to visible light comes from blue light.
Dangers of Blue Light
Our eyes have a unique structure that protects them from UV light. However, those structures don’t help with blue light. While the blue light emitted by digital screens is smaller compared to the sun’s, we have to consider the amount of time we spend in front of a computer or on our phones.
67% of Americans use more than two digital devices at a time, and over half have symptoms of eye strain.
Macular Degeneration
Because human eyes aren’t good at blocking blue light, people who spend hours in front of a screen are at a greater risk of macular degeneration.
Constant blue light exposure can damage the cornea and retinal cells. This can cause problems in the long term, such as age-related macular degeneration.
Disrupted Sleep
The human body also processes blue light the same way it processes natural sunlight. Exposure to light can suppress your body’s melatonin production, which is a hormone that controls your sleep patterns. This is why some people find it difficult to sleep after spending too much time on their phones or computers before bed.
Do Sunglasses Block Blue Light?
Sunglasses feature a UV coating, which is the primary defense against UV light. Most sunglasses also have a mirror coating, which reflects light away from your eyes. This coating filters harmful UV rays from reaching your eyeballs.
So, what about blue light? Sunglasses do offer some degree of protection against blue light, but it all depends on the tint.
That’s right, the tint of your sunglasses isn’t only for fashion purposes. Red and yellow glasses are the best colors as they block 50-90% of harmful blue light rays. These colors cancel out the blue from the light spectrum, enhancing your visual experience.
Check out All Star Shades for some great options for blue light blocking glasses!
What About Polarized Lenses?
If you’re on the lookout for blue light-blocking glasses, you may also have heard of polarized lenses. Some sunglasses come with polarization. The key difference between polarized vs blue light lenses is that polarized glasses only protect you from glare.
Polarized light refers to the reflection of light, which causes glare. In certain situations, this can also reduce your visibility. Polarized glasses don’t protect you from UV or blue light, but they do limit glare.
This makes it easier to see when driving or performing outdoor activities.
Should You Get Blue Light Glasses?
If you don’t spend a lot of time in the sun, you may think that you don’t need blue light glasses. As mentioned, the sun is the primary source of natural blue light. However, blue light is everywhere.
Aside from our devices, we also get blue light exposure from LED and fluorescent lights. If you aren’t wearing the proper eyewear, you could be endangering your long-term eye health.
Getting sunglasses with both UV and blue light protection is good. However, it would be best to protect your eyes even when you’re indoors.
The best part about blue light lenses is that they’re available in prescription and non-prescription. You can even get protection for your reading glasses. If you have perfect vision, look for a universal pair of blue light-filtering glasses.
How to Choose Blue Light Glasses
Getting a pair of blue light protection glasses is an investment in your health. It’s also a good idea if you spend a lot of time working in front of the computer or even watching TV to wind down. However, not all blue light glasses provide the same level of protection.
So, how do you find the right pair for your needs? Here’s what you need to consider when looking for blue light glasses.
Availability of Prescription Glasses
If you wear prescription glasses, check with your provider to see if they offer blue light lenses. You might be able to upgrade your current lenses, so you don’t have to pay for an entirely new frame.
Level of Blue Light Filtering
To protect your eyes, look for lenses that offer at least 90% blue light protection. Though blue light lenses are available in clear, they might not be enough to protect your eyes. Yellow and amber-tinted glasses offer far more protection than clear ones.
Frame Style
If you don’t normally wear glasses, the style might not be important to you. Of course, you can always get whatever style fits, but why not have fun with it? Certain frame styles can enhance your features and complement your fashion style.
If possible, opt for bigger frames. It’s best to have glasses that have a snug fit and block more light coming in from your peripheral vision.
Getting the Facts Straight About Sunglasses and Blue Light
Is sunglasses effective against blue light? Yes, they do sunglasses block blue light but only to some degree. In this digital age, people are constantly on their phones and computers.
If you want to protect your eyes, it’s best to invest in proper blue light glasses. We hope this article helped you find the right glasses for your needs. Please consider checking out our other blog posts for more health advice.