With more people working from home, screen time has skyrocketed. If you’re spending long hours in front of your computer, you might be wondering if blue light glasses are worth the investment. Let’s break down what they do and whether you need them.
What is Blue Light?
Blue light is a high-energy light emitted by screens like your computer, phone, and even LED lights. While natural blue light from the sun helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle, too much blue light from screens can lead to digital eye strain and disrupt your sleep.
Symptoms of Too Much Screen Time
If you’re noticing any of these symptoms after a day of remote work, it might be due to excessive screen time:
- Eye Fatigue
- Dry Eyes
- Headaches
- Blurred Vision
- Sleep Disruption
Can Blue Light Glasses Help?
Blue light glasses are designed to filter out some of the blue light from screens, which may reduce eye strain and improve sleep.
Here’s what to consider:
Reducing Eye Strain: While some people find relief with blue light glasses, the evidence is mixed. Taking regular breaks and adjusting your screen setup might be just as effective.
Improving Sleep: There’s stronger support for using blue light glasses in the evening to prevent sleep disruption. If you’re working late or using screens before bed, they could help.
Other Ways to Protect Your Eyes
Before you buy blue light glasses, try these tips to protect your eyes:
Adjust Your Workspace: Keep your screen at eye level and adjust brightness to comfortable levels.
Take Regular Breaks: Use the 20-20-20 rule—every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Optimise Lighting: Reduce glare by positioning your screen away from direct light sources and use natural light when possible.
Monitor Screen Time: Limit evening screen exposure to help maintain your sleep cycle.
Should You Buy Blue Light Glasses?
Here’s the bottom line:
For Eye Strain: Blue light glasses might help, but they’re not a cure-all. Ergonomic adjustments are also important.
For Better Sleep: If you’re using screens late into the evening, blue light glasses could be a good investment.
If You’re Curious: Blue light glasses are affordable, so if you want to try them out, go for it—but remember, they should be part of a broader strategy for reducing screen-related discomfort.
Final Thoughts
Blue light glasses can be useful, especially if you’re working late or experiencing discomfort from screen time. However, they’re just one tool in protecting your eye health. Regular breaks, a proper workspace setup, and mindful screen habits are also key to keeping your eyes healthy while working from home.
