How many hours do we spend in front of a digital screen per day? Recent research indicates it’s actually a lot more than you would think!
That’s right, according to Forbes[1], on average, we adults spend more than 9 hours a day in front of our smartphones, tablets, TVs and computers. No wonder blue light exposure has become such a hot topic!
One of the best and easiest ways to protect yourself from overexposure of this kind of light is by using specifically designed blue-light blocking glasses. However, there are still a lot of misunderstandings about how they really work and how effective they can be.
At Barner, we know that wearing blue light glasses can have a positive impact on our digital generation’s overall well-being, that’s why we want to share our expertise with you.
Do you know how they work? Check it out!
What are blue light glasses?
Blue light glasses are specifically designed to protect our eyes against overexposure to the artificial blue light that is emitted by our digital devices. Computer glasses help us to avoid the potential side effects of Computer Vision Syndrome and to ensure that our eyes feel rested after long hours in front of our screens.
The most common side effects of extended exposure to blue light
Blue light can be a great natural source of energy. However, nowadays we are surrounded by both the natural and artificial kinds. When we build a routine around digital devices, we become more exposed to the potential side effects of artificial blue light. Have you heard of them?
Here are the four most common problems related to overexposure to blue light:
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Eye strain and dry eyes. Typical symptoms include: a burning and stinging sensation, eye irritation and redness and sensitivity to light. They can also be accompanied by the so-called Computer vision syndrome, which is characterized by headaches, blurred vision and neck and shoulder pain.
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Disruption of sleep cycle: According to an experiment conducted by Harvard researchers [2], after more than 6 hours of exposure to blue light (compared to the same exposure to green light), they found that blue light had shifted circadian cycles by twice as much as the green light (3 hours versus 1.5 hours). HEV light had also suppressed double the amount of melatonin than the exposure to green light had. (The hormone melatonin is one of our best friends when it comes to helping us fall asleep).
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Eye fatigue: Aside from the symptoms described above related to Computer Vision Syndrome and Digital Eye Strain, when we spend too many hours in front of digital devices, our eyes tend to become exhausted and eventually they can even start to hurt. This usually means that it is harder to focus and concentrate on work or any other activity. We’ve prepared a comprehensive guide to explain one of the most common questions related to overexposure to artificial blue light: Why do our eyes hurt?
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Vision problems: Another possible side effect of absorbing too much blue light is linked with the capacity of our eyes to focus properly. We all know that with age, we tend to lose vision accuracy; however, when we put our eyes under a lot of pressure we can actually worsen their ability to work, resulting in vision problems. If you feel that might be the case for you, check out the most common signs you might need glasses.
Do blue light glasses really work?
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Less than a hundred years ago, the idea of protecting your skin from potentially harmful UV rays first became a big issue. By the 1980s, we had a much better understanding of the damage that can be caused to our skin. Could you imagine now spending entire days under the sweltering sun without any protection at all?
In our busy digital lives, we all spend a lot of hours in front of our screens, and until very recently, we were doing this unprotected. Now we have more information about the potential side effects, so it seems like a no-brainer to do everything we can to protect our vision. Our computer glasses are stylish, very comfortable and there’s no need for a prescription!
Even though this is a relatively new concept, there is a fast-growing community of digital professionals who are fans of Barner’s blue light glasses.
Check out our video testimonials to see for yourself!
Barner (2021). What are blue light glasses and do they really work? https://blog.barnerbrand.com/what-are-blue-light-glasses/
