August 3, 2020
From morning emails and afternoon Zoom calls to evening scrolling and streaming, screens have become a major part of everyday life. If you spend hours each day in front of a computer, tablet, or smartphone, you may have wondered whether blue-light blocking lenses could make your screen time more comfortable. At FrameUp Eyewear, we believe your lenses should work just as beautifully as your frames. Understanding what blue-light lenses can and can’t do will help you make the right choice for your lifestyle. What Is Blue Light? Blue light is part of the visible light spectrum and is naturally present in sunlight mostly during midday. Morning sunrise and evening sunset have very little, if any, blue light, and these are the most important times of the day to get natural sunlight! Digital devices, including computers, smartphones, tablets, and televisions, also emit blue light, without the full spectrum the sun gives, which can be very harmful. Blue-light filtering lenses are designed to reduce certain wavelengths of blue light reaching your eyes. Depending on the lens technology, the filtering properties may be built directly into the lens material or applied as a specialized coating. Can Blue-Light Lenses Make Screen Time More Comfortable? If your eyes feel tired after a long day at the computer, you are certainly not alone. Extended screen use is commonly associated with digital eye strain, which can include tired or uncomfortable eyes, headaches, blurred vision, and difficulty focusing. It’s important to understand that research has not established blue light from everyday digital devices as a major cause of eye damage or digital eye strain. Many screen- related symptoms are instead associated with prolonged close-up focusing, reduced blinking, glare, screen brightness, and an improper or outdated prescription. That doesn’t mean lens technology can’t help. For some wearers, lenses designed to filter portions of blue-violet light or manage glare can provide a more comfortable visual experience, particularly when combined with an accurate prescription and quality anti- reflective treatment.