As technology continues to be a fundamental tool in our day-to-day lives, we spend more time staring at digital screens. This may lead to health issues such as migraines, macular degeneration, and myopia. Our eyes strain too much from staring at digital screens for too long, and this can lead to blurred vision, dry eyes, and headaches.
People who have careers that demand the use of computers to complete different tasks have testified to suffering from different eye-related issues. Software engineers, for instance, spend a majority of their workdays looking at computers, so they need to take special care of their eyes in order to avoid permanent damage. This can easily be done by regular visits to the eye doctor. It is good to wear eyeglasses; for software engineers, it is crucial.
Blue Light Glasses are Recommended
Blue light glasses have been proven to combat some of the negative effects that come with staring at digital screens for too long. Although researchers have found that blue light emitted from computers is too small to cause significant damage compared to blue light emitted by the sun, there is undeniable evidence that shows that blue light glasses have helped to alleviate issues caused by staring at digital screens as well as protect unharmed eyes from any damage.
What is Blue Light?
Blue light is one of the several colors that are visible in the light spectrum. It is emitted by the sun, your tablet, smartphone, laptop, and TV screens. Blue light has a shorter wavelength and higher energy than other colors. Some research shows that it can cause eye damage, especially short-wave blue light with wavelengths between 415 and 455 nanometers. Most digital devices that we use today have wavelengths between 400 and 490 nanometers.
- Effects of blue light
- While more research is needed, blue light has been known to cause problems like:
- Trouble sleeping at night
Increase symptoms of digital eye strain i.e. blurry vision, dry eyes, itchy eyes, watery eyes, sore neck, back, or shoulders (due to putting your body in odd postures in order to see your screen clearly).
Loss of Focus Due to Prolonged Exposure to Blue Light.
If you find that you have any of these symptoms, it may be time to get a pair of blue light glasses. Blue light glasses will block blue light and protect your eyes as well as improve the quality of your sleep and reduce fatigue. According to a University of Houston study, blue light glasses increase nighttime melatonin by 58%, therefore improving your sleep cycle.
Although researchers may have conflicted views and disagreements on the benefits of using blue light glasses, some research has claimed that there are undeniable benefits of using glasses that block short-wavelength light. Companies that sell blue light glasses also claim that a 20% reduction in blue light can improve sleep and cause less eye strain. Backed up with testimonies from people who use blue light glasses, less eye strain is definitely a huge benefit of using blue light glasses.
Software engineers and people who use digital screens often can therefore invest in blue light glasses regardless of different opinions from different researchers. There are no negative side effects to wearing blue light glasses, so if they can protect your eyes at any level, it is an investment worth looking into.