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Do Blue Light Glasses Work?

02-02-2023

Direct & Indirect Benefits

The amount of High Energy Visible (HEV) light produced by digital devices is only a fraction of that emitted by the sun. However, the amount of use by, and proximity to, users have many eye care professionals concerned that blue light may have long-term effects on eye health. The cornea and lens of the human eye are effective at blocking UV rays from reaching the light-sensitive retina at the back of the eye, but considerably less so at preventing visible blue light from reaching the retina.

Comfort & Health Benefits

Evidence has shown that blue light filtering eyeglasses can offer the following benefits:

Improve Sleep Quality & Duration

Exposure to excessive artificial blue light, especially at night, from digital devices may lead to poor sleep quality, difficulty falling asleep, and daytime fatigue because it has been demonstrated to limit melatonin production, sleepiness, and alertness in the morning. This is especially an issue for teenagers, who typically prefer sleep/wake cycles that are considerably delayed compared to younger children or adults. 

Reduce Dry Eye Symptoms

Individuals that stare at a digital screen or device for longer periods have a tendency to blink less frequently than normal, causing the cornea to dry and become irritated. Blue light glasses can help promote normal blink frequency.

May Decrease Risk of Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the population over the age of 55.5 It is a degenerative eye condition which slowly degrades the macula, causing gradual loss of central vision, and chances of developing the disease increases with age. Research to date is inconclusive as to whether blue light exposure increases the risk of macular degeneration - it may, or it may not.

May Reduce Eye Strain

Many associate blue light with digital eye strain, but there is no concrete evidence that digital eye strain is due to blue light alone. Rather it is how digital device are used. To reduce digital eye strain, the following is recommended:

• Sitting an arm’s length away from the computer screen; 
• Follow the 20/20/20 rule - every 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet away for 20-seconds;
• Use artificial tears when your eyes feel dry
• Adjust screen brightness & contrast to complement the room’s lighting
• Invest in anti-reflection coating and/or computer progressive eyeglasses

Reduce Eye Fatigue

Blue light glasses can provide a soothing feeling to the eyes. However, the 20/20/20 rule likely offers equal, if not greater, benefits than using blue light filtering glasses alone.

May Reduce Nearsightedness

Recent studies have shown limited evidence that blue light resulted in inhibition of axial elongation in human eyes. Impact of such specific wavelength exposure on children and its application in myopia control need to be explored

Protection From Blue Light

Research has demonstrated that extended exposure to sunlight is damaging to the eye. Therefore, it is good practice to protect the eyes from the sun, including wearing UV-blocking sunglasses. There is no clinical evidence that artificial blue light at low intensity and shorter exposure periods is harmful to the eye. Research suggesting a damaging effect of blue light on eye cells has only been conducted in vitro (in the lab) rather than on the living human eye. Accordingly, it is currently unclear if blue light filtering glasses offer any protection against the development of eye diseases or eye disorders.

Study: Age-related maculopathy and the impact of blue light hazard
Study: Short-Term Exposure to Blue Light Shows an Inhibitory Effect on Axial Elongation in Human Eyes Independent of Defocus

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