3 Simple Ways to Buy Blue Light Blocking Glasses
We spend more time exposing our eyes to artificial lightings today than ever before. Believe me, if you are reading this article, you probably are doing so via your computer or smartphone. Appliances or gadgets like television, computers, and cell phones emit a type of light known as “blue light.” This type of light could be harmful to human health as it can interrupt one’s sleep-wake cycles, zaps a lot of energy, cause headaches and other health issues.
Though artificial blue light from the screen is less harmful than the sun’s blue light, continuous exposure (to screen) can add up to become a threat to one’s health.
Many people spend nearly 12 hours per day in front of a digital screen. And as such, they are exposing their eyes to so much digital light strain. However, it is unknown if artificial blue light can directly cause problems to the eyes, but it can significantly contribute.
Cutting down the time we spend on the screen is one way to control or limit one’s exposure to blue light, but the most effective and reliable way to prevent its adverse effect is the use of blue light blocking glasses.
Blue light blocking glasses, what are they?
Whenever a device produces light, several colors of light vibrate or move at a different wavelength. The HEV (high energy visible) light emitted by this device is called the blue-violet light, and this light closely emulates the natural sunlight, which is potentially damaging to the eyes if not controlled.
Blue light blocking glasses limit the amount of digital eye strain and eliminated interrupted sleep-wake cycles, headaches, etc. that could result from excessive exposure to blue light. Unlike regular glasses, blue light blocking glasses decrease the amount of light coming into our eyes from the screen.
Blue light blocking glasses lenses have a coating made from a unique material. This material can block a large percentage of blue light emitted by the screen by reflecting it away from the eyes.
Way to buy the right blue light blocking glasses
The key to selecting the best blue light blocking glasses boils down to color and functionality. Consider the following factors when choosing your blue light blocking glasses:
- Lens color
There are hundreds or thousands of options for blue light blocking glasses, and most of these options vary in color, such as – red, orange, yellow, and clear. These lens colors significantly affect how blue light is blocked or reflected away from the eyes. Below are the colors and their blocking power.
- Red lenses: The red lens is the most effective and reliable of them all as it blocks up to 100% of blue, violet, and green lights. These lenses create an effect similar to the sun’s descending effect below its horizon at night by effectively dimming the lights to provide a soft and comfortable view to the eyes.
- Orange lenses: These lenses can block up to 98% of blue light and was the color used in the first blue light blockers created for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) space program. In comparison, orange lenses block blue light in the daytime but relatively weak for violet and green light at night.
- Yellow lenses: Yellow lenses can block up to about 75% of blue light. They serve a similar purpose as the clear lenses but can block nearly twice as much light at night as the clear lenses.
- Clear lenses: These lenses are the weakest of all blue light blocking glasses as they can only block about 40% of blue light. They are suitable for limiting digital eye strain and improving focus in the daytime.
- Daytime Functionality
Another critical aspect to look at when buying a blue light blocking glass is how the glasses match your personality and style. For instance, if your job demands seeing true colors or graphics on the screens like a visual designer, photographer, producer, etc., the highest blockage percentage or maximum functionality like a red lens is recommended because you expose your eyes to the screen for extended hours.
For nurses, doctors, and other shift workers, a lower blockage percentage like yellow could be more convenient.
- Nighttime functionality
These blue light blocking glasses are sometimes called sleep-hack glasses, most suited for night routine. If you want to fall asleep quickly, your best option will be the red lens to give you 100% blockage of blue, violet, and green light.
This type of blue light blocking glasses sometimes comes in full wrap-around style. But there are others with stylish frames but similar lens technology.
Final Words
By following these tips, you are likely to settle for a blue light blocking glasses that meet you needs.
Do all that is possible to protect your eyes from blue light emissions.
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