Do You Need Blue Light Glasses?
Whether you work from home or practically live outdoors, chances are you spend a little (or a whole lot) of time looking at your computer, tablet, or phone. As time in front of screens and the blue light that they produce increases, so do concerns about the effect that light has on our eyes.
But what exactly is blue light? And should you take measures to protect your eyes by wearing blue light glasses? Here, we’re going to dig into the science to help you better answer those questions and decide if blue light glasses are for you.
What is Blue Light?
Blue light is simply a part of the visible light spectrum or the range of wavelengths that the human eye can see. It has shorter, higher-energy wavelengths than other colors (red, orange, yellow, and green) and is the closest on the spectrum to non-visible UV light. Because of these factors, there is concern about its effect on our eyes.
So what produces blue light? Well, if you’ve gone out into the sunshine, turned on a lamp or looked at a screen today — your eyes have been exposed to blue light. It’s emitted by light sources ranging from TVs to cell phones, and sunlight is the biggest source.
Is Blue Light Damaging to Your Eyes?
Unlike non-visible light, blue light is able to pass through the cornea and onto the light-sensitive tissue of the retina. There are studies suggesting that prolonged and direct retinal exposure to blue light can negatively affect our eyes.
There is also evidence that exposure to blue light at night disrupts your circadian rhythm and makes it harder to sleep (according to the CDC). This is because blue light mimics daylight and makes you feel more alert — exactly what you don’t want at bedtime. While winding down with a TV show at night might feel relaxing, it can definitely mess with your sleep.
Of course, blue light, high-energy wavelengths aren’t all bad. Moderate amounts of blue light from the sun can promote alertness, boost cognitive function, and even elevate your mood during the day. Just remember to wear sunglasses when you’re out in the sunshine.
What Do Blue Light Glasses Do?
Blue light blocking glasses are specifically made to filter out blue light from screens. At Smith, our blue light glasses have a virtually-clear coating on the lens that blocks blue light to reduce eye fatigue and can help you maintain a healthy sleep cycle.
So, Do You Need Blue Light Glasses?
Because the health of your eyes is worth worrying about, it’s a good idea to add blue light filters to your glasses. We offer blue light lens add-ons for both prescription and non-prescription eyeglasses, making it easy to incorporate blue-light blocking technology into your everyday life.
Blue Light Lenses for Daily Wear ✅
Whether you’re playing a crossword puzzle on your phone at lunchtime or reading a book on your E-reader before bed, blue light glasses can help filter out blue light from your screens throughout the day. They’re especially helpful in preventing sleep interruption after sundown and can be worn all day long.
Blue Light Lenses for the Office ✅
It doesn’t matter if your office is the living room, the school library, or the back of your adventure van. Working on your computer for prolonged periods of time exposes you to blue light and can also lead to digital eye strain. Blue light glasses are great to wear while you work on or watch ski edits.
Blue Light Lenses for Sunny Days Outside ❌
When you do leave your screens behind and head outside to catch some sun rays, be sure to swap your blue light glasses for a pair of UV-blocking sunglasses. The harmful effects of UV light on our eyes are well documented, and blue light glasses are not suitable for blocking these invisible light rays.
At Smith, we’re all about living life to the fullest. Whether you’re editing photos from your latest adventure or making a gear list for your next, Smith blue light glasses help you handle screen time without worry. We offer a wide range of eyeglass styles with blue light blocking technology, from cult classics like the Lowdown Rx to scholarly styles like the Transistor Rx and casual pairs like the Roam Rx. And for those of you with 20/20 vision, you can order any of our eyeglasses with non-prescription blue light filtering lenses.
