Working as an IT Director and also the owner of a blog, I am on the computer many hours every day. I would estimate that I am on the computer or some type of screen eight to ten hours per day on some days. According to research, I am not alone and this is typical of many people. With computers, tablets, phones, and more, the time adds up very quickly.
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If I am not careful, this causes eye strain for me. My eyes get tired and they sting and burn. On bad days, I even get headaches. In researching for this post, I have also read a lot about how the blue light produced by these devices can also disrupt sleep. Our brains associate blue light with daytime, so some blue light is good. But too much artificial blue light can cause problems, especially at night. Exposing ourselves to blue light from devices before bedtime interrupts the natural production of melatonin. That makes it harder to go to sleep at night and keeps you from getting a good night’s sleep.
With all the screen time that we get on a regular basis now, blue light blocking glasses or computer glasses are becoming quite popular. There are conflicting views as to whether or not the blue light blocking glasses actually help with eyestrain, but most agree that using them four hours before bedtime does help with getting a better night’s sleep.
Blue IQ
I first learned about the blue light blocking coating that can be put on glasses a little over a year ago. Lenscrafters calls it Blue IQ. Since I am on the computer so much due to my job, I decided to try it. I also added anti-glare to my glasses which is also said to help with computer use. I wear my glasses all day and have noticed a difference. My eyes do not burn and itch quite as much and I do think it has made a difference getting a better night’s sleep. The other day, I ended up reading for a little while without my glasses. Within about an hour, my vision started blurring. The only thing I could chalk it up to is the fact that I did not have my glasses on and my eyes are just used to the blue light blocking and
Testimonials
Here is what some of my co-workers have to say about their blue light blocking lenses. Matthew Stephens is a teacher and band director:
“I have had the blue light filter on my lenses for two weeks. I am a teacher and am on my computer/phone for large amount of my day. I have noticed a marked improvement on my eye strain throughout the day. I also watched a series on Netflix last weekend over a large time slot and noticed that my eyes were not straining or burning. I highly recommend the blue light filters on glasses.”
~Matthew Stephens
Mackenzie Snider is the Director of International Studies at our school. Here is what she had to say about blue light blocking lenses:
Around three years ago, blue light blocking glasses first started appearing in my targeted advertisements online. I was intrigued so I read some articles and asked a friend who used them what she thought. After all my research, I decided to give them a try! Since then not a day has gone by where I haven’t used them. Whether I’m watching TV at home or at work on my computer, I wear my glasses! I even purchased a pair for home and a pair for work so I’d never forget them and be without. My eyes are less strained and I don’t worry about blue light keeping me up late at night. When I don’t wear them, I notice within 5 minutes and immediately go find my glasses and put them on. I am definitely hooked for life!
~Mackenzie Snider
What Can You Do to Protect Your Eyes?
Limiting screen time is the obvious, but maybe not practical answer. I would love to limit my screen time or at least scale back from the current amount of use, but that is just not practical for my job or for writing the posts for this blog. To help limit eye strain, you can practice the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look away from your screen and focus on something that is at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Also, make sure that you blink often as we have a tendency not to blink as much when looking at a screen for a long period of time. And then of course, you can wear blue light blocking glasses.
Are Blue Light Blocking Glasses Right for You?
You might consider using Blue Light Blocking Glasses (Computer Glasses) if any of these apply to you:
- You spend long hours in front of a computer or other screens every day.
- You feel you may be experiencing Computer Vision Syndrome (eye strain – itchy, burning, dry eyes, headaches and/or blurred vision).
- You have to work with screens at night or enjoy using a computer, phone or tablet before bedtime.
- You have trouble falling asleep or trouble
staying asleep. - You are worried about the toll all the screen time may be taking on
the health of your eyes.
Where Can I Get Blue Light Blocking Glasses?
Pixel Eyewear is a company with great reviews on their Blue Light Blocking Glasses. You can select from many different frame styles. They also have them in Readers and you can send them your RX if you need Blue Light Blocking Glasses with a prescription. Or if you are an Amazon shopper, they have lots of great deals on Blue Light Blocking Glasses as well although these will not be readers or have the option to add a prescription in most cases.
What about you? Do you have Blue Light Blocking Glasses? Do they help your eyes? Let us know in the comments below.
