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Reduce Eye Strain: Why Aussies Need Blue Light Glasses

All day, screen-staring can feel like you are squinting into the midday, even when you are snuggled up on the couch. If you are an Aussie living in the land of endless tech, then it is time to shield your eyes from blue light. We’re talking about invisible, high-energy light products, everything from phones and laptops to those new TVs with all the fancy whistles.

Blue light is like that pesky little brother who follows you everywhere, even when you want to rest. It interferes with your sleep, strains peepers, and can give you a headache if you are not watched out for it. Honestly, who has never had an all-nighter spent scrolling over something and then ended up having one’s eyes feel like sandpaper afterwards? 

The impact of blue light on eye health

  • Eye strain and fatigue: Ever feel like your eyes are burning after a long day in front of the computer? Well, that is blue light at work. This will make your eyes feel tired, achy, and even blurry.
  • Headaches and Migraines: It’s typical for headaches and migraines to pop up amongst people, sometimes initiated by blue light. If you are one of those, buy at least one pair of glasses blocking blue light.
  • Sleeping disorders: Blue light can fool the brain and make it feel that it is daytime, so sleep is interfered with when night falls. Besides disrupting sleep, sleep deprivation and other sleep problems may also arise.

Why Aussies are at risk

Aussies are hooked on their gadgets, and we love our devices. From our smartphones to our laptops to our tablets, it seems there are screens everywhere. So aside from spending time, particularly with lockdowns and working from home, exposure to blue light has grown even higher.

Benefits of blue light-blocking glasses

These blue light glasses will block out harmful blue spectrum lights from these devices. When chronic, these lights may result in eye strain, fatigue, headaches, and sleep disruption.

  • Reduced fatigue and eye strain: Sometimes, when you look at the screen, your eyes are set on different light layers. This may cause eye strain and make you tired further. Blue-light glasses can avoid these signs and symptoms by blocking some of the blue light, the most dangerous light emitted from screens.
  • Improved sleep quality: Blue light suppresses the secretion of melatonin, which puts a person to sleep. A blue light glass will help you sleep better and rest your brain.
  • Long-term potential eye damage protection: Several studies prove that one of the leading causes of blindness is associated with an increased risk due to long-term exposure to blue light. These blue light glasses protect your eyes from AMD by reducing exposure to blue light.

Besides the advantages mentioned above, these blue light glasses will further facilitate:

  • Improved concentration and focus: These glasses help improve focus and concentration by reducing eye fatigue and strain caused by blue light.
  • Smoothening wrinkles: It has been a common belief that blue light destroys collagen and elastin, a body protein that naturally modifies the look of wrinkles. Blue-light glasses can protect your skin from further damage and may avoid wrinkles.
  • Studies have shown that exposure to blue light affects mood; blue light glasses may improve it by reducing anxiety and depression.

How to choose the right blue light glasses: an optometrist weighs in

Before you run out to get that first pair of blue-light protection glasses, take a little time to check with your optometrist. They can evaluate your needs and tell you which style works best for you.

Here are one or two things to bear in mind when you pick your blue light glasses:

  • Prescription and non-prescription: Will you need prescription lenses, or will a pair of non-prescription glasses be sufficient?
  • Type of lenses: The blue light glasses are prepared as single vision, bifocals, or progressive lenses.
  • Frame fit and comfort: The glass fits in your face comfortably without causing uneasiness. 
  • Personalisation: Sometimes, you may get personalisation with nose pads, the length of the temple, or different tints of lenses. 
  • Budget: Plan your budget and discuss your options with the optometrist.
  • Lifestyle and needs: Consider how you use your devices and what you need from your eyewear.

Incorporating blue light protection into everyday life

Other than wearing a pair of blue light glasses, here are a few other things to reduce exposure to the stuff.

  • Reduce screen time: Look away from your screens every 20 or 30 minutes. Avoid using your screens near bedtime whenever possible.
  • The 20-20-20 rule states that every time you work off-screen for 20 minutes, focus your eyes on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to relax your eyes and reduce strain.
  • This will help build a healthy digital environment: Dim all screens at night, or at least have a very well-lit room, and on-switch your device’s filtering of blue light.
  • Consider engaging in night mode: Most devices have a setting that launches a night mode with reduced blue light emission.
  • Spend time outside. Time outdoors balances the exposure to blue light from devices, which can also help keep your immune system strong.
  • Take screen breaks: Give your eyes a regular rest from your screens, even if it is only for a few minutes.
  • Establish a soothing bedtime routine: Develop a bedtime routine that will enable you to relax and fall asleep. One thing that you should avoid is using the screen an hour before going to bed. 

Conclusion

In today’s digital world, avoiding blue light exposure is tough. It ensures the eyes are well cared for, eye strain can be minimised, and headaches and sleep disturbances can occur while you scroll through your phone or binge-watch your favourite show; just remember to slip on those blue light glasses. Your eyes will thank you.