Blue light glasses are a relatively new type of glasses that our grandparents did not have back in the day. They had actually been first introduced in the 1960s but they only became popular after the turn of the millennium. Back then, people were not aware of the dangers of blue light that came from digital devices and from exposure to other artificial light.
But now, with practically everyone facing digital screens most of the day, the need for blue light glasses can no longer be ignored. The good news is that there are now plenty of options for anyone wanting to purchase blue light glasses. In fact, they now come in a wide variety of lens colors and it can be difficult to pick the right one. That is what we are going to talk about today.
How Does Blue Light Affect Us?
With minimal or infrequent exposure, blue light is perfectly harmless. It is actually found in all kinds of light, including natural sunlight. But with prolonged exposure, such as after hours of staring at a computer monitor or even looking at a smartphone screen, an excessive amount of blue light can enter our eyes and cause a myriad of health problems.
For starters, blue light can cause damage to the retina, resulting in various vision issues. In the worst cases, it can even lead to cataracts, corneal growths, or even eye cancer. On a deeper level, once blue light enters your body, it can disrupt your circadian rhythm, which determines your sleeping and waking patterns. In other words, it will interrupt your normal sleeping patterns, which in turn can trigger more serious problems like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cognitive dysfunctions, and many kinds of cancer.
You don’t have to worry about all of this, though, if you protect yourself by wearing the right blue light glasses lenses. If you wear the right protective glasses, the blue light will not enter your system, and therefore cannot increase your chances of suffering the health problems mentioned.
Are Blue Light Glasses Worth It?
Despite the abundance of information that is now available about blue light glass lenses and why they are necessary, many are still not convinced. This can be attributed in part to the fact that we have done quite well without these glasses before. Why spend money on something that was virtually unheard of just a few years ago?
The simple fact is that things are different today. Digital technology is everywhere and it comes at a price. While we enjoy the positive effects of technology, we also need to make the necessary adjustments to keep ourselves protected from its side effects. If your health or your children's health is important to you, then it is clear that blue light glass lenses are indeed a worthwhile investment to make. Besides, they are not that expensive anymore. If you know where to look, there are plenty of excellent choices that will not cost you an arm and a leg.
Common Lens Colors for Blue Light Glasses
The most important criterion for choosing blue light glasses is the color of the lens. This is the part of the glasses that will filter the blue light trying to enter your eyes. Therefore, you need to make sure to pick a lens color that can block the most blue light possible.
It might be surprising to know that the most common lens color for blue light glasses is actually clear. Just by looking at it, you would wonder how it can filter blue light when it is perfectly transparent. It is not visible to the naked eye but these clear blue light glasses do have protection that will halve the amount of harmful blue light that enters the eyes.
As for the lenses with actual color, the most popular blue light glasses lenses are shades of yellow and orange. These are the colors that block blue light most effectively. There are also some blue light glasses that have brown or gray lenses. These do offer some level of protection, although not as much as the yellow and orange lenses can. Red lenses are actually even more highly efficient for blocking blue light but not many people opt for them because they are not very comfortable to wear since the red tint makes you see colors differently.
How to Choose the Right Lens Colors for Your Blue Light Glasses
With all the available colors for blue light glass lenses, it can be quite a challenge to choose the right one for you. It's a different matter for everyone so there is no definitive answer. We do have a few tips that can help you make the right choice for yourself.
To begin with, figure out whether you will be using the blue light glasses lenses more during the day or during the night. For daytime use, you will be better off with clear and yellow lenses. Light brown lenses would also work well. These glasses will protect against blue light coming from artificial sources like digital device screens, yet will allow enough natural blue light in to keep you alert and awake.
People who need to work late into the night would benefit immensely from amber or red blue light glasses lenses. These are the lens colors that block the most amount of blue light. Red lenses, in fact, can block the entire blue spectrum. If you can tolerate the color distortions, then this would be the ideal choice. By using these lenses, you can preserve your normal sleep patterns and you will be able to enjoy quality sleep.
If you wear prescription glasses or reading glasses, you can have them fitted with special blue light lenses on top of the prescription. Once you have your blue light glasses, be sure to wear them every time you need to work in front of a screen. This way, you can get maximum protection and your blue light glasses will soon prove to be a really smart investment.