Blue light blocking glasses

An antidote to the modern age woes of screen time and sleep deprivation, blue light blocking glasses are the latest tool in our quest for eye health and the perfect nights sleep.

what is blue light

Smartphones, tablets, tv’s and LED lighting all emit blue light, which is a natural light - it’s present in daylight and helps us feel awake during the day, boosting attention and mood. In fact blue light rays are even used in light therapy to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Here’s the science.. blue light is one of the shortest, highest-energy wavelengths and blue wavelength light stimulates sensors in your eyes which send signals to your brain’s internal body clock.

Being online during the evening ensures our nights are now as illuminated as our days. The eyes are not very good at blocking blue light, allowing it to pass straight through to the retina, this disrupts melatonin and negatively impacts our sleep.

blue light and sleep

As more important research comes to light, we’re beginning to realise the huge importance of sleep for good health. Not only for brain function like concentration, productivity and performance, but to prevent serious illness like cancer, diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Sleep impacts every area of our lives, so in 2024 we all know the importance of prioritising our sleep.

One study found that sleep deprivation can affect brain function to a similar degree as alcohol intoxication, so missing out on a few hours shut eye is equivelent to a night on the fizz - madness!

Blue light suppresses the brain’s release of the hormone melatonin, a sleep inducing hormone, so artificial night time light throws out our body's biological clock, the circadian rhythm.

Poor sleep can cause so many health issues, so we need do everything we can to secure a good nights sleep and blocking out blue light in the evening can help achieve this.

Wearing your blue blight blocking glasses in the evening as part as your sleep hygiene routine, while watching tv, working late or working your way through the gram, can help prevent that screen light getting through and wrecking your sleep.

blue light and Screens

Many of us spend more time at our screens than actually sleeping (even though we know which is the healthier choice).

As our world becomes more digital the average person is spending at least 3 hours online everyday, from computer screens to updating social media during down time. This can cause digital eye strain, so along with investing in some computer glasses, we need to adopt healthy screen habits starting with…

Staring at our devices without blinking for long periods will cause eye strain so take regular breaks -

follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, shift your eyes to look at an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. 

We’re all guilty of the the screen hunch which wreaks havoc on our entire body. Position your screen at arms length and straight ahead, consider taking up yoga to counteract sitting for long periods.

Do mindful screen-time after 9pm, so ban the late night insta scrolling and Netflix binging and pick up an actual book to help you get that good nights sleep.

Challenge yourself to a digital detox at the weekends or a digital free day - good for the eyes and the soul.

avoiding eye strain

When we’re screening and scrolling we blink less, which can cause eyes to dry out. Computer Vision Syndrome describes symptoms of sore dry eyes, blurry vision, difficulty focusing, headaches or a lovely combo of all of the above. You can minimise the effects by using screen glasses and prevent it by following these eye tips..

Adjust your lighting on your screen brightness and your screen contrast to suit. Make sure that your screen isn’t brighter than the surrounding light, or your eyes will have to work so much harder to see.

Adjust your room lighting, natural light is always best, face away from windows and lights.

Blink more - make a conscious effort, we forget when we’re staring at cute croissant pics and it helps prevents fatigue and dry eye.

Get outside and expose yourself to lots of bright natural daylight during the day to expose your eyes and reset your rhythms.

how to block blue light

cup-of-couple

We can put blue light blocking lenses into any of our frames, check our range of screen glasses here.

Our premium Blue Control lens treatment helps to neutralise the amount of blue light emitting from your devices by filtering it out - this will help optimise sleep and reduce eye strain.

Here’s to sparkling healthy eyes and a better nights sleep!

Jo

Back to school - take the (eye health) test

We’re back to school, it’s a fresh term, a new season and the perfect time for an eye health MOT. With National Eye Health Week happening 23-29 September, there’s no better time to book in for your eye exam. Pencils sharpened, collars starched… this is one test you can’t fail.

eye health

Over half of all sight loss is due to preventable or treatable causes: One million people in the UK are living with sight loss that could have been prevented. Here’s our top tips on keeping your peepers tip top…

by Marina Vitale

Regular eye tests can identify any early indications of diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. It also picks up other problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Get your eyes tested at least every two years, so if yours has lapsed, make that call.

Wear sunglasses Ultra violet light from the sun can damage your eyes...even during the winter months. Wear your 100% UV protected sunnies all year round.

Eat the right food Foods containing either lutein or zeaxanthin help prevent eye conditions like age-related macular degeneration. Found in many fruit and vegetables including: mango, squash, broccoli, green beans, kale and spinach - mama said to eat your greens and darnnit she was right.

Know your family eye history Glaucoma is a condition which if detected early can be treated and controlled. It can be hereditary, so if family members have the condition you need to get your eyes tested more regularly.

Don some safety goggles: Cleaning, DIY or gardening can be hazardous to your eyes as chemicals, garden debris, nails and splinters can all cause injury... it’s a jungle out there.

screen time

Are our daily routines damaging our eyes?

chloe-amaya

Worryingly many of us spend more time looking at screens than sleeping. As our world becomes more digital the average person is spending 3-9 hours online, from computer screens at work to updating social media during down time.

Smartphones, tablets, computers, televisions and GPS devices all emit blue light. Blue light is natural though, it’s present in daylight and helps us stay awake, but over exposure can cause eye strain, eye fatigue and sleeplessness. Blue light suppresses the brain’s release of the hormone melatonin a sleep-inducing hormone so always switch off a couple of hours before bed.

When we’re screening and scrolling we blink less, which can cause eyes to dry out. Computer Vision Syndrome has been coined to describe symptoms of sore eyes, dry eyes, teary eyes, blurry vision, double vision, light sensitivity, difficulty focusing on images, neck pain, headache or a combination of all of the above.

Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, shift your eyes to look at an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Taking regular breaks is important for resting the eyes, blinking, and limiting eye strain.

If you experience a lot of glare, you can try a matte screen filter over your computer screen

 Open windows and let in the air to combat dryness.

let your lenses do the work

Fear not… alongside taking breaks and switching off before bed, we can offer some extra help with your glasses lenses. Go for our Blue Control lenses which contain a blue filter that helps neutralise blue light and reduces glare, giving more comfortable and relaxed vision.

We can also add on a Multi Anti-Relective treatment coating to your lenses which eliminates reflections on the surface of the lens, enhances contrast and helps to reduce eye fatigue. If you go for the Blue Control it comes with the Multi Anti-Relective coating too.. I know it’s like Christmas right.

Let us help ease you back to school with our range of lenses that take the strain out of eye strain.

Jo