WHY CHOOSE BLUE LIGHT GLASSES?

Blue light glasses (or blue light blocking glasses) have gained popularity due to claims that they can protect your eyes against potential damage from
blue light emissions caused by digital screens (like computer monitors and cell phones), LED lights and fluorescent lights — but how effective (or necessary) are blue light glasses at keeping your eyes healthy?
In a nutshell – when it comes to blue light and blue light glasses there is a lot of hype, mixed in with several myths. Headaches, eye strain and light
sensitivity are no joke – but you might be surprised at the real solutions available.

BLUE LIGHT MYTH 1
While it is true that digital screens and LED lights do emit some blue light, research has found that the level of blue light exposure from them is significantly lower than that from natural daylight — and neither levels approach eye safety limits.2 Additionally, because many safety regulations have been put in place to limit the amount of blue light emitted by everyday objects like light bulbs and digital screens, they are not high enough to cause retinal damage. This means that wearing blue light blocking glasses when using digital screens is not really necessary. 

BLUE LIGHT MYTH 2
While blue light blocking glasses vary in how effective they are at reducing the amount of blue light that enters the eyes, current research suggests that this neither improves nor protects the health of your eyes. 

Research released in February 2021 from the College of Optometrists states: 

“The best scientific evidence currently available does not support the use of blue-blocking spectacle lenses in the general population to improve visual performance, alleviate the symptoms of eye fatigue or visual discomfort, improve sleep quality or conserve macula health.”  [Note: add hyperlink to original report]

Put simply, there is no scientifically proven benefit of wearing blue light blocking glasses for your eye health, for digital eye strain or for migraines.

BLUE LIGHT MYTH 3
Blue blockers are NOT the answer for people with migraine disease and/or photophobia.

However, if your experience with blue light glasses has been positive, or your eye doctor recommends that blue light glasses are right for you, then our advanced Blue Light coating is the best blue light coating we have ever offered.

WHAT DOES HELP WITH EYE STRAIN, HEADACHES AND MIGRAINES?

Upwards of 90% of computer and device users experience digital eye strain, also known as Computer Vision Syndrome or CVS, which comes with symptoms such as blurred vision, burning or stinging eyes, dry eyes, sensitivity to light, headaches, and even back and neck pain. It’s easy for issues like these to be blamed on blue light, however, it’s more likely that these problems are simply caused by the overuse of digital devices, the physical environment we are in, and sometimes by not having the proper kind of lens.

EYE STRAIN TIPS

Here’s some great tips to help reduce or prevent digital eye strain (CVS): 

Use the 20/20/20 rule
When using a computer or digital device for an extended period, take quick breaks every 20 minutes and look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This will give your eyes a chance to refocus and help prevent eye strain. 

Take regular breaks
If you spend too long concentrating and looking at a screen, then your eyes can become fatigued. Every two hours of continual computer use, take a break and rest your eyes for at least 10 minutes. 

Blink often
Yeah, we know it sounds silly, but sometimes we focus so hard we don’t blink enough! Try it – we bet it helps!

Limit screen time
Come on, need we say more? Take a break at least every couple of hours.

Watch your distance
Sitting too close to a screen can strain your eye muscles as they try to focus on such a close image. If you find yourself focusing on small fonts or details on your screen, try making things larger by working at 125% to 150% zoom. This will reduce the amount of work your eyes need to do to focus on very small text and images.

Use artificial tears
Sometimes you need just a little extra help in dry conditions. However, if you find you need that ‘little extra help’ a little too often, make sure you are following the other tips listed here too. Or maybe it’s time to check in with your eye doctor.

Get your eyes checked
If all else fails, maybe it’s time to get your eyes checked, just in case. 

HEADACHE TIPS

A common cause of headaches can be constant eye strain, so following the tips above to relieve eye strain might be all you need to alleviate your headaches. Additionally, some headaches may have a lot to do with your surroundings and physical environment. Here’s two great tips that might help.

Reduce glare from light sources around you

If you wear glasses, glare reflected onto your digital screen or glasses lenses from surrounding light sources (such as bright office lights, or a nearby window) can cause your eyes to squint resulting in eye strain and headaches. You may need to adjust where you are sitting or adjust the lighting conditions to help. We also recommend adjusting your computer or screen settings to ensure that the brightness and contrast are balanced correctly.

Adjust your viewing angle

If you’re looking at a computer screen that is physically lower or higher than your eyes, you might be causing strain or pain to your neck or back, which in turn can cause headaches. Adjust the screen so that it is centered at the same height as your eyes when sitting up straight and looking forward.

MIGRAINE HELP

Fluorescent lights, LED lights and other light sources can be particularly troublesome for people with light-sensitivity issues and migraines. Light-sensitivity glasses (FL41) that filter out specific blue and amber wavelengths have proven to be effective as a tool against migraine attacks and light-sensitivity symptoms.

Blue Light Blocking Glasses vs FL-41 Glasses

Blue light blocking glasses are designed to block blue-violet light (mostly the violet). But, as can be seen from the research released in February 2021 from the College of Optometrists (above) [add hyperlink], they are simply not designed to block the specific types of light actually shown to aggravate and trigger migraine attacks or light-sensitivity issues.

FL-41 glasses have a special lens that blocks the specific wavelengths of blue and amber light that are KNOWN to trigger light sensitivity symptoms, while allowing other types of light to filter through so the wearer can see clearly. Blocking those certain wavelengths can reduce the frequency of migraine attacks and even prevent them.

Using a proprietary rose-colored tint, FL-41 glasses allow people to get the light filtering they need without compromising visibility… Filtering out those wavelengths improves contrast and sharpness which increases visual acuity.

If you are prone to migraines, or need light sensitivity glasses for other reasons or conditions, then our precisely engineered FL-41 tint is for you. FL-41 is available in light or medium tint.

Recent studies show that 88% of individuals who use FL-41 glasses reduced their light impact symptoms and 87% reported a reduction in headaches.

FL-41 Tints