Do I Really Need Blue Light Glasses?
Should You Be Wearing "Blue Light Glasses"?
If you’re reading this, it's probably because you've seen a craze of blue light blocking glasses all over your social media recently, and you're probably wondering if they can benefit you.
Blue Light radiation is pretty much everywhere, and is produced by lots of different sources, such as the sun, TV screens, computers and phones. With the increased use of digital devices over recent years, we are inevitably exposing our eyes to more blue light absorption, but how does it effect our eyes? And is it worth buying 'Blue Light Lenses'?
How Can Digital Device Protection Lenses Help?
You may have read some untrustworthy sources, describing how blue light can cause retinal damage, but it is very important to note that there is currently no scientific evidence for this. However, many studies and reliable customer reviews have found that many people benefit from these lenses for other reasons, even if they do not require a prescription. Patients have found that wearing lenses that protect against blue light radiation can reduce eye strain when using screens for long periods. There is also evidence to show they can maintain the body's natural circadian rhythm and so help with sleep patterns that can be disrupted by over exposure to blue light radiation.
Why we named these lenses 'Digital Device Protection' and not 'Blue Light Lenses'
As an Optometrist, I was very sceptical of naming our lenses 'Blue Light Lenses'. The first reason for this was the somewhat ignorant myth that blue light lenses can prevent retinal damage (something I did not want to associate GOTD with), and the second was because there was a mass influx of distributors supplying these lenses, cheaply and ineffectively. I felt a duty of care to not associate our brand with this term, as innocent and well known as it might be. But at the cost of our customers not understanding what we mean by our version of 'Digital Device Protection', it was more important to me to send a more clear and concise message of what these lenses should actually be.
What should you look out for?
If you are looking to invest in a pair of eyewear to help block the amount of blue light you absorb, make sure you research the quality of the actual lens. If made properly, the glasses should have a very obvious bluey-purple coating on the lenses, which some people may not like, but note that without this, its more than likely that the lens is not blocking enough blue light radiation. The lenses that block the most blue light will have a yellowish hue to the lenses, which from experience, really don't look that great! Fortunately at GOTD, our lens manufacturers have been able to provide us with lenses that sufficiently block out blue light radiation without the unattractive yellow hue.
What The GOTD Optometrist Recommends
While there is no scientific proof behind the protective benefits of Digital Device Protection Lenses besides maintaining circadian rhythm, GOTD offers these lenses to our customers and encourages each of you to explore the effect it may have on your own daily life. Everyone is different, but if you are someone who suffers with eye strain when using devices, whether you require a prescription or not, try them out for yourself, they may just surprise you!
GOTD offers Digital Device Protection for £20