With the rise of remote work and the increasing use of electronic devices, people spend a significant amount of time in front of screens. Globally, people average 6 hours and 58 minutes of screen time daily. This screen time has increased by nearly 50 minutes per day since 2013. This amount of screen time and exposure to blue light can cause problems affecting your health and productivity at work. According to Eye MD, 79% of workers report that their job performance is impacted by the amount of time they spend staring at screens since it causes headaches, fatigue, and focus problems. With employees experiencing these adverse effects, it's essential to look at solutions to these issues, such as blue light glasses.
What is Blue Light?
The human eye can see blue light as a part of the visible light spectrum. In other words, the light we perceive has the most energy and shortest wavelength. In the range of hues the human eye may see, blue light is a shortwave blue light. Its wavelength ranges from 400 to 500 nanometers in the blue region of the electromagnetic spectrum (nm). Peak light damage, according to researchers, is thought to happen at about 440 nm. Approximately one-third of all the light we perceive is blue.
Sources of Blue Light
Digital devices produce only a small percentage of what the sun emits. But regrettably, the danger of blue light from digital gadgets can be far more detrimental than we know because of how long people use them and how closely we look at them.
How do Blue Light Glasses Work?
In recent years, the rise of technology and screens has increased the use of blue light-cutting glasses. These glasses are designed to filter out blue light, which has been linked to various adverse health effects, including eye strain, fatigue, and sleep disruption.
Blue light glasses block or filter out a portion of the blue light that reaches the eyes. This is typically achieved through unique lenses that are tinted to absorb or reflect blue light. The lenses may also be coated with a film that filters out blue light. The goal of blue light glasses is to reduce the amount of blue light that reaches the eyes, which can help to alleviate eye strain and improve sleep quality. Some blue light glasses also have an anti-reflective coating, which can further reduce eye strain by reducing glare.
What are The Benefits of Blue Light Glasses?
One of the main reasons for the rise in popularity of blue light-cutting glasses is the increasing use of screens in the workplace. Both remote and in-person employees spend more and more time in front of screens, whether for work or leisure. This screen time can lead to various negative consequences, including eyestrain, dry eyes, and headaches. Blue light-cutting glasses can help to alleviate these symptoms and make it easier to focus on the tasks at hand. Let's take a look at a few benefits:
Protect Eyes and Alleviate Fatigue
One benefit of blue light-cutting glasses is their ability to protect the eyes and alleviate symptoms of eye strain and fatigue. Blue light glasses prevent eye fatigue by blocking or filtering out a portion of the blue light that reaches the eyes. Blue light has a higher energy level than other wavelengths of light, and prolonged exposure to it has been linked to various negative health effects, including eye strain, fatigue, and sleep disruption. By reducing the amount of blue light that reaches the eyes, blue light glasses can help to alleviate these symptoms and make it easier to focus.
Improve Sleep
In addition to the physical benefits, blue light-cutting glasses can positively impact sleep. Blue light has been shown to disrupt melatonin production, a hormone that helps regulate sleep. By reducing or preventing the generation of melatonin, the brain chemical that signals to your body when it's time to go to bed, exposure to too much blue light too late in the day can significantly impact your circadian rhythms. By filtering out blue light, these glasses can help to improve sleep patterns and promote better rest. This is especially important for those who may be experiencing sleep disruption due to the demands of their job or the use of screens late at night. You may feel more rested and alert during the day by getting a good night's rest, which can contribute to improved focus and productivity.
Increase Productivity and Well-Being
By reducing the likelihood of experiencing dry eyes, fatigue, or blurred vision, blue light glasses can help you to stay more focused and comfortable while working for long hours in front of electronic devices. In addition, by improving sleep quality, blue light glasses can help you to feel more rested and alert during the day. As such, when you get a good night's sleep, you are better able to concentrate, remember information, and make decisions. This can all contribute to improved focus and productivity.
