What is blue light?
Blue light is a type of high energy light on the visible light spectrum that is commonly emitted by LEDs (light emitting diodes) arising from computers, televisions and other screens. Blue light is used more often in technologies these days as a more environmentally friendly alternative.
How does it affect you?
Many studies have shown that blue wavelengths lead to headaches and migraines, specifically for people already fairly suspectable to them. Some research suggests that there is a neural pathway between our eyes and brain that causes blue light waves to cause headaches. This includes most symptoms of migraines, including dizziness, sensitivity to light, nausea and others. From spending too much time looking at a screen, blue light waves can be the leading factor of eye strain, eye fatigue and soreness and multiple studies support the belief that exposure to blue light impacts your sleep. The blue light impacts the amount of melatonin your brain produces, especially later in the day (you, scrolling on Instagram before falling asleep), and melatonin is what regulates our sleep cycle. Being on your phone or at a screen before bedtime, several hours before, will not only disturbs your cycadean rhythm, but leave you drowsier and less energetic and alert the next day.
During the day, blue light is less harmful. Many would suggest that it actually improves our attentiveness, focus and memory. Suppressing melatonin, during the day blue light can help you stay alert and awake, however many of these studies come from clinical trials, where the amount of blue light exposure was strictly controlled.
Blue light blocking glasses have filtered lenses that block the majority of blue light wavelengths that you are exposed to, and usually help block UV light too. There are hundreds of types out there and if you have prescription glasses already, you can get the blue light blocking filter added.
So, do Blue Light Blocking Glasses work?
I somewhat live on my computer (I’m on it now, would you believe?) and have always suffered from headaches and sore eyes. So, I decided to try a pair. I got mine for about £15 just to give them a whirl, and so far, I’m impressed. I wear them when I’m working on the laptop during the day and when I’m on my phone at night. My eyes feel less strained and my headaches, whilst they’re still there, but that’s on me really, I don’t drink enough water, my skull certainly doesn’t throb anymore, and I have been sleeping better.
With the winter months on us, spending more and more of our time indoors, or just if you also spend a lots of time facing a screen and want to give your eyes and brain a little respite, it is Christmas, after all, you don’t have to spend a fortune to give them a try. If they work for you, maybe go up in the market next time, but for now, my and my eyes are happy with mine.
Here are a few we like as a first pair!
With so much going on in busy lives and workloads, the very least you deserve is a restful night’s sleep and a pain-free head.