Blue Light

Seems everyone is talking about blue light filters and blocking lenses to stop it from harming our eyes. Let’s back up a bit and give you some information to help put blue light and ‘blockers’ in perspective.

What is blue light?

Blue light is one of the spectrum of colours. Natural blue light comes from the sun. Artificial blue light comes from our digital devices and lights like LED.

Many of us spend a lot of time on our digital devices and it’s increasing

Will blue light damage your eyes?

Scientists have been researching the effects of Blue Light for almost 50 years. The most recent evidence is that only extreme and sustained exposure to blue light may cause damage to your eyes.

Will blue light filters and blocking lenses make a difference?

Many claims have been made about the benefits of Blue Light filters and blocking lenses. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) July 2019 Position Statement on Blue Light Blockers states

"No evidence exists to suggest that normal environmental exposure to blue light, including those from digital screen technology, causes damage to eyesight. Filtering out the blue light from screens is not necessary in general use."

Do you have digital eye strain?

Today we reach for our digital devices more than ever. Screen time seems to be all the time for some of us. It’s probably no surprise if your eyes feel dry or tired, especially if you work in front of a computer screen all day.

Did you know?

1 hour outside on an overcast day projects 30 times more blue light than 1 hour in front of a screen.

Here are a few suggestions to
help you reduce eye strain

Regular Screen Breaks

Take regular breaks from your screen or device

20-20-20

Look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes

Drink & Blink

Concentrating reduces blinking, so blink often and stay hydrated with lots of water

Night Time

Use the “night time” option on your devices and turn down the brightness level

Consult an Optometrist

Get a Bulk Billed comprehensive Specsavers eye test

In summary

  1. Only extreme and sustained exposure to blue light may damage eyes
  2. There is NO strong evidence that blue light filters will improve your vision
  3. If you have symptoms of eye strain try the five suggestions above

Now you know the facts, if you still wish to have blue light filters as an option on your glasses, at Specsavers we are able to do this for $70


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