Who Can Benefit From Blue Light Glasses?

You wear sunglasses when you go outside to shade your eyes and protect them from the sun’s harmful UV rays. But it may surprise you to learn that you also need indoor protection. Everywhere you look, blue light emanates from digital screens, and you can’t escape it at home or at work. 

Although the sun also produces blue light, your computer and phone are the main sources. Blue light has short wavelengths and powerful intensity that penetrates your eyes and targets the cells in your retina. Overexposure can lead to computer vision syndrome and long-term eye damage. 

At Vision Corner in Houston, Texas, Dr. Sophia Barnes and our team take eye health seriously, and we encourage all of our patients to consider getting blue light glasses, even if they don’t wear prescription eyeglasses. 

As an independent, small, local business, you can expect high-quality care and a personal touch with us that you don’t get at corporate optometrists. Dr. Barnes takes her time during your eye exam and never rushes your appointment. Whether you need emergency eye care, help with a chronic eye disease, or are in the market for some new frames, we can help.

Dr. Barnes focuses on the prevention of eye problems, which is why she recommends blue light glasses. Have you been wondering if you might need a pair? 

Who gets exposed to blue light?

Anyone who spends time in front of a digital screen gets exposed to blue light, but some folks soak up a lot more rays than others. Here’s a list of the people who can benefit from blue light lenses. 

Texters

If it seems that your mobile phone is an extension of your hand, you’re not far off. Studies reveal that Americans are on their cell phones about 38 hours per week. In addition to putting your neck in danger by keeping it bent for hours on end, it also means your eyes absorb way too much blue light. 

Students

The days of libraries and card catalogs have dwindled. Today, students seem to do almost all of their research online. College students not only rely on computers for research, but many of them also attend class remotely and stare at the screen all day.

High schoolers can be found hunching over their laptops in coffee shops and malls, cranking out their homework, and even elementary schoolers turn to electronics to complete projects once done by hand. These students can all use blue light glasses. 

Writers

Whether you’re a blogger, an office manager, or a bonafide author, everyone is a writer these days. For the average American, emails alone take up more than 15 hours a week, and about 31% confess that they’re online “almost constantly.” It only takes about two hours a day of blue light exposure to harm your eyes. 

Gamers

In a nationwide survey, CenturyLink found that 68% of Americans play video games regularly, averaging 8-12 hours weekly, often playing up to three hours straight. Some schools are even considering including gaming as part of their athletic programs, calling them eSports. Blue light glasses can save gamers’ eyesight, whether they’re amateurs or pros.

TV bingers

You don’t have to be a techy to need blue light glasses. Good old-fashioned television can flood your eyes with harmful rays, too. If you’re a binger who watches shows for hours on end, using a pair of blue light glasses can help.

Night drivers

Because blue light glasses reduce glare, they may sharpen your vision while driving at night, significantly lessening the blinding glare from headlights and street lamps. 

Signs that you might need blue light glasses

You can help prevent damage from blue light by monitoring your screen time. You may already have experienced some damage if you have:

• Frequent headaches
• Blurry vision
• Fatigued eyes
• Neck pain
• Dry eyes

To learn more and to find out if you could benefit from blue light glasses, schedule an appointment with Dr. Barnes online or by phone.