In our modern society, smartphones and computers have become indispensable tools in both work and daily life. Look around, and you’ll see our lives inundated with screens of different sizes. Whether it’s the diligent worker spending the whole day in front of a computer or a student struggling with online courses, screens dominate a sizable portion of our day.
After a long and exhausting day, we might find ourselves in bed, but rest is still elusive. Often, we can’t resist the temptation to scroll through our smartphones endlessly. As we spend increasingly longer hours staring at these screens, the sparkle in our eyes gradually diminishes.
Many concerns have been raised about eye health. The symptoms of digital eye strain – swelling, dryness, foreign body sensation, and blurred vision – are all too familiar for those of us habitually glued to screens. Not only does it interfere with our productivity at work or school, but it also significantly degrades our overall health and quality of life.
In response to these eye health issues, a range of products has emerged on the market such as blue light filter, glasses, . Among them, one of the popular choices for heavy screen users is anti-blue light glasses. These glasses are designed to isolate ultraviolet (UV) rays, radiation, and harmful blue light.
Many glasses nowadays claim to have an anti-blue light function. So we may come up with a few questions:
1. What is Blue Light?
2. Why should we prevent blue light?
3. What is the scientific principle behind anti-blue light glasses?
4. Is anti-blue light the only thing you need for proper eye care?
Let’s scroll down for answers!
1. What is Blue Light?
The light we perceive in our daily lives falls within the visible light spectrum, which ranges from 380nm to 720nm in wavelength.
Light with a wavelength longer than 720nm is red light, which we can’t see and is known as infrared light. Similarly, light with a wavelength shorter than 380nm is violet light, known as ultraviolet light. Visible light with a wavelength between 385nm and 505nm is blue light. Blue light has a shorter wavelength and therefore carries higher energy and penetrates deeper. A harmful subset of blue light, often referenced in our daily life, is short-wavelength blue light, ranging from 415nm to 455nm.
2. Why should we prevent blue light?
The Impact of Blue Light
Retinal Cell Damage
Studies have found that when the intensity of blue light exceeds 1500lx, and it directly illuminates the retina for more than three hours, it leads to retinal cell apoptosis and a decline in numbers.
Due to the shorter wavelength of blue light, it focuses ahead of the retina. When the proportion of blue light in visible light is too high, it may magnify chromatic aberration distance, making it difficult to see objects clearly. This requires more eye adjustment and leads to eye fatigue.
Insomnia
Excessive exposure to blue light, in addition to its stimulating effects on cortisol production, has been found to have a negative impact on our sleep patterns. Melatonin, commonly known as the sleep hormone, plays a crucial role in regulating our sleep-wake cycle. However, blue light inhibits the secretion of melatonin, making it harder for us to fall asleep. This disruption of melatonin production can lead to insomnia, a condition characterized by difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night. Therefore, it is important to minimize exposure to blue light before bedtime to promote healthy sleep habits and ensure a restful night’s sleep.
Emotional Downturn
Has it ever crossed your mind that blue light could be associated with depression?
Blue is a serious and calming color that can regulate nerves and soothe the mind. However, too much exposure to the color blue might induce low spirits.
Therefore, people in low spirits or with sensitive characters shouldn’t be exposed to blue light. If not, their depressive mood might be aggravated.
Other Harms
In addition to depression, insomnia, eye fatigue, and decreased vision, blue light exposure could lead to eye conditions like color spots and cataracts.
The Positive Role of Blue Light
Of course, blue light does have positive effects on human bodies, such as regulating our biological clock. Studies show that blue light between 400nm and 520nm wavelengths is crucial for regulating melatonin levels.
To sum up, we do need to protect our eyes from blue light!
3. What is the scientific principle behind anti-blue light glasses?
How Do Blue Light Blocking Products Work?
There are typically two mechanisms at work in blue light blocking products:
One is to absorb blue light, and the other is to reflect it.
Absorbing blue light involves integrating anti-blue light factors into the material of the glasses’ lens. When harmful blue light passes through the lens, the anti-blue light factor absorbs it, achieving the goal of blue light protection.
Reflecting blue light involves coating an optical thin film on the glasses’ lens. This film can reflect the wavelengths of harmful blue light through optical interference, hence providing blue light protection.
How to Choose Blue Light Blocking Products?
Although blue light is harmful, the quality of blue light blocking products on the market varies significantly. Improper protection could even exacerbate eye fatigue. Therefore, it’s crucial to follow scientific standards.
For the wavelength range corresponding to harmful blue light (415nm-445nm), the light transmittance ratio should be less than or equal to 80%. For the wavelengths above 445nm, which are beneficial blue light, the transmittance ratio should be greater than 80%.
This could effectively block the harmful blue light posing health risks to humans while allowing the beneficial blue light, which provides physiological rhythm regulation, to pass through effectively.
4. Is anti-blue light the only thing you need for proper eye care?
Essential Eye Care: 10 Vital Tips for Optimal Vision and Health As the adage goes, our eyes are the windows to our souls, and taking care of them is akin to safeguarding our vision and overall health.
Here are ten comprehensive tips to ensure your eyes remain in top shape:
## 1. Regular Eye Exams Scheduling regular eye exams with a qualified optometrist or ophthalmologist is crucial for maintaining optimal eye health. These periodic checks are vital in early detection and treatment of any potential eye problems.
## 2. Protective Eyewear Countering potential hazards to your eyes during activities such as playing sports, swimming, or operating power tools is crucial. Always adorn suitable protective eyewear to prevent injuries.
## 3. Proper Screen Habits In today’s digital era, the 20-20-20 rule is your eyes’ best friend: take a 20-second break, every 20 minutes and look at something 20 feet away. This habit can effectively alleviate eye strain. Also, tweak your screen settings to diminish glare and ensure adequate ambient lighting.
## 4. Balanced Diet Nourish your eyes with a wholesome diet abundant in vegetables, fruits, and Omega-3 fatty acids. Foods profoundly beneficial for eye health include fish, nuts, carrots, and leafy greens.
## 5. Hydration Ample water intake is pivotal for your body’s hydration, which in turn supports optimal eye health. It prevents dry eyes and assists in maintaining overall eye function.
## 6. UV Rays Protection Protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet radiation when outdoors. Sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays are a non-negotiable addition to your eyewear collection.
## 7. Quit Smoking Smoking heightens the risk of multiple eye conditions including cataracts and macular degeneration. Eliminating this habit substantially improves your eye health.
## 8. Adequate Sleep Ensuring sufficient sleep every night plays an indispensable role in allowing your eyes to rest and rejuvenate. Insufficient sleep can lead to persistent eye strain and discomfort.
## 9. Proper Contact Lens Care For contact lens users, adhering to your eye care professional’s guidelines regarding cleaning, disinfecting, and proper wearing schedules is paramount. This will guard against eye infections and irritations.
## 10. Holistic Health Controlling systemic health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol plays an influential role in maintaining eye health. Regular medical check-ups, coupled with a healthy lifestyle, will contribute immensely towards this goal.
Incorporating these guidelines into your daily routine will significantly help in preserving your eye health and reducing future risks. However, never hesitate to consult an eye care professional promptly if you experience persistent symptoms or vision changes. Here’s to a lifetime of good vision and health!
