Blue Light glasses

Blue light glasses are being marketed under different brand names from different companies. There are ZEISS Duravision Blue Protect, Hoya Blue Control, Essilor Prevencia and Essilor Blue UV Capture and Owndays call their PC lens. It is known to the majority of the people that blue light glasses can relieve eye strain. However, is it true? In this article, we will be talking more about eye strain and the effects of blue light. Is blue light from digital devices the cause of your eye strain ?

What is eye strain?

Eye strain is a feeling of pain, ache and tiredness of or around the eyes. It can be caused by binocular vision disorders, computer vision syndrome and more.

When doing near tasks such as using computers or phones, the muscles in the eyes need to work constantly to maintain focus and alignment. Hence, extended usage of near tasks can cause eye strain. Eye strain can be caused by prolonged usage of digital devices such as laptops or smartphones. This is also known as Digital Eye Strain (Computer Vision Syndrome).

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Symptoms of Digital Eye Strain (Computer Vision Syndrome)

• Eye Strain
• Headaches
• Blurred Vision
• Dry eyes
• Neck and shoulder pain

Up to 90% of digital device users experience symptoms of digital eye strain. Many studies have observed that increased usage of digital devices correlates with increased symptoms of digital eye strain (Brennan C.C, et al. 2018). A survey was conducted and found out that over two-third of adults who use digital devices at a regular basis experience symptoms of Digital Eye Strain:

Many individuals stop experiencing these symptoms after ceasing the use of digital devices. However, there are individuals who continue to experience these symptoms. If no actions are taken, these symptoms can recur and even worsen.

To relief eye strain, most people will opt for blue light glasses as they are known to be able to reduce eye strain. However, what if your eye strain is not due solely to blue light ?

What are blue light glasses?

Blue light glasses block or filter out blue light. Many people relate blue light with digital devices. However, there are also other sources of blue light such as the Sun, LED light and fluorescent light.  

Many people often associate that blue light glasses are able to relief or reduce eye strain.

Can blue light glasses reduce eye strain?

Blue light from digital devices may contribute to symptoms of visual fatigue, since blue light scatters in the eye, increasing the effort needed to maintain visual focus. Studies have shown that blue light glasses can significantly reduce eye fatigue during two hours of computer use, improve sleep quality and protect retina (back part of the eyes) from these damaging wavelengths (Lawrenson J.G, et al. 2017).

However, there are little high quality evidence to support that blue light glasses are able to reduce eye strain / digital eye strain (Rosenfield M, 2019).

Many people go for blue light glasses when they experience eye strain. However, for eye strain caused by binocular vision disorders (for example poor focusing ability and / or lacking in the ability to turn your eyes inward or outward ), blue light glasses might not be able to relieve the symptoms. Hence, individuals who experience eye strain should receive a comprehensive eye examination (determine health of the eyes) to be able to properly relieve their eye strain. Prisms and / or lenses like ZEISS Digital lens may help to relieve eye strain more than simply having blue light filter.

Other ways to relieve Eye Strain

Eye Strain @ Evershine Optical

To find out the cause of the eye strain, we will first need to ask you a few questions such as when do you start experiencing eye strain, do you have an increase in the amount of time spent on near tasks recently, what other symptoms are you experiencing and more.

1. Refraction test
   • Check eye power for distance and how much reading power is needed for near
2. Eye health check
   • Assess the health of the front and back part of the eyes
3. Binocular vision test
   • Check the alignment, strength, flexibility and focusing ability of the eyes

The tests above will be conducted by the optometrists in Evershine Optical to find out what is causing your eye strain. If your eye strain is due to binocular vision disorders, we will prescribe either added plus lenses or prisms. We will need to refer you to an eye specialist if eye strain (due to binocular disorders) persists even after treatments.

If your eye strain is not due to binocular vision disorders, we will check how much reading power you need for your eyes to feel more comfortable and prescribe added plus lens such as Zeiss Smartlife Digital Lens or Hoya Sync III. The reading power at the bottom part of the lens will relax your eyes when you are engaged in near tasks.

There will be follow-up sessions to find out if the treatment method is reducing / relieving your eye strain.

Experience eye strain? Contact Evershine Optical and make an appointment now!

References

1. Brennan C.C, Sulley A, Young G. 2018. Management of Digital Eye Strain. Clinical and Experimental Optometry. 102.
2. Lawrenson J.G, Hull C.C, Downie L.E. 2017. The effect of blue‐light blocking spectacle lenses on visual performance, macular health and the sleep‐wake cycle: a systematic review of the literature. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 37, 644–654.
3. Lin J.B, Gerratt B.W, Bassi C.J, et al. 2016. Short-Wavelength Light-Blocking Eyeglasses Attenuate Symptoms of Eye Fatigue. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 58. 442–447.
4. Rosenfield M. 2019. Living With Blue Light Exposure. Review of Optometry.

Edited by Winston