Blue-Light Blocking Glasses: Scam or Savior?
Dr. Mark Rosenfield's research: No evidence for blue-light blocking glasses' effectiveness or harm from electronic device blue light.
Do you wear specks? If your answer is yes, then my next question is did you pay extra to get the ‘blue light blocking’ lens in them?
In the past couple of years, the sale of blue-light blocking glasses have rocketed to the extent that now almost every person who needs glasses, and even those who don’t, have a pair of these fancy 'high-tech' specs. Just as its name suggests, ‘blue-light blocking glasses’ are sold on the ‘unique’ point that it effectively protects our eyes from screen omitted blue light during heavy screen time. According to ophthalmologists (eye specialist doctor) and opticians (specks makers), this blue-light exposure can damage the retina (eyes) and cause sensitivity to light, blurred vision, eye irritation, headaches, neck pain, back pain & eye strain known as computer vision syndrome. Blue light exposure during night can cause sleeping problems by delaying the release of sleep initiating hormone - melatonin. But are these blue-light blocking glasses truly a savior or a scam to loot money of people? Do these ‘blue-light blocking glasses’ actually work? Dr. Mark Rosenfield, a vision researcher & professor at the College of Optometry at New York University has conducted two studies on the effectiveness of blue light-blocking glasses. Dr. Rosenfield said “Both of the studies actually found that the blue-light blocking glasses have no effect, no significant effect on digital eye strain. This didn’t really come as a major surprise to us because there really is no mechanism whereby the blue light should be causing digital eye strain.” He concluded that there is no credible evidence that blue-light blocking glasses are useful because they exist to prevent a problem that we have no proof actually exists. So, next time when you or your known ones are being strongly suggested by opticians to upgrade to blue-light blocking glasses, remind them that blue-light blocking glasses are just a scam to bill more to the customers and increase profits. However, if you experience light sensitivity, blurred vision, eye irritation, headaches or eye strains, you must visit your ophthalmologist as soon as possible.
Apart from visiting the doctor, you can also take the following measures to ensure healthy eyes:
- Take frequent breaks during screen time.
- Try following the "20-20-20 rule” - every 20 minutes, look at an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
- Getting regular vision exam & eye checkups.
- Monitor & reduce the duration of screen time.
