In today’s digital age, we spend more time than ever on our smartphones, laptops, and other devices. While technology makes our lives easier and more convenient, it’s important to consider the impact it has on our eye health. That’s where blue light comes in.
Blue light is a type of high-energy visible (HEV) light that comes from screens and artificial lighting. It’s the shortest and highest-energy wavelength of visible light, which makes it more likely to cause damage to your eyes. However, blue light is not all bad. In fact, some exposure to blue light can be beneficial for regulating your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.
In this blog, we’ll take a look at how blue light affects our eyes and what you can do to protect your eyes.
How does blue light affect your eyes?
Studies have shown that too much exposure to blue light can cause digital eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome. This is because blue light scatters more easily than other colors, making it harder for your eyes to focus. Symptoms of digital eye strain include dry eyes, headaches, blurred vision, and neck and shoulder pain. If you spend a lot of time looking at screens, you may be exposing yourself to too much blue light.
How to protect your eyes
So, what can you do to protect your eyes from the harmful effects of blue light? One way is to take regular breaks from your digital devices and give your eyes a much-needed rest. Every 20 minutes, look away from the screen and stare at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Also, try adjusting the brightness of your screen and increasing the contrast so that your eyes won’t have to work too hard to maintain focus.
Another option is to wear computer glasses, which have specialized lenses designed to filter out blue light. These glasses can alleviate eye strain and have been helpful for people who spend a lot of time working or studying on their computers.
At Spectrum Eye Care, we offer a range of computer glasses to relieve eye strain and protect your vision. Our experienced optometrists will suggest the perfect pair based on your needs. We also provide eye exams in Colorado Springs to catch any eye issues caused by the regular use of digital devices. Contact us today to schedule an eye exam or to learn more about our blue light filtering eyewear options.