Lenses To Filter blue-violet light*

How does blue light affect our sight?

Most of us think of light as the absence of darkness; light is either present or absent, either natural or from a man-made source. While none of that is incorrect, there is actually much more to light than (pardon the pun) meets the eye.
 

  • What is blue light

What is blue light?

For the purposes of this article, we’ll focus on blue light, one of the many hues in all visible light.

Blue light is naturally produced by the sun but also by computer monitors, smartphone screens and other digital devices. In addition to these, blue light is produced by LED and fluorescent lights, and compact fluorescent light bulbs. Blue light is essential in maintaining your mood and keeping your memory sharp.


Why we need blue-violet light* filtering lenses or glasses?

  • Blue light is everywhere - While manmade sources of blue light include fluorescent and LED lighting, flat-screen televisions, and the display screens of computers, electronic notebooks, smartphones and other digital devices; our main source of blue light is the sun, and we are most exposed to it when we are outdoors during daylight hours. This is where the most damage occurs and our children are also vulnerable to it since they are more likely to spend a significant amount of time outdoors whether at school or in the playing field.
  • Natural blockers are ineffective - While the cornea and lens of the eye are effective at blocking UV rays from reaching our light-sensitive retinas, almost all visible blue light passes through these barriers, which could reach and damage the delicate retina.
  • Increased risk of macular degeneration – Because blue light may reach and contribute to damage the light-sensitive cells in the retina, while being more and more exposed, this may be one more important contributing factor to permanent vision loss. 
  • Increased vulnerability post cataract surgery – Always ask your surgeon what type of Intraocular lens (IOL) will be used to replace your cloudy natural lens, and how much blue-violet light* filtering that lens provides. You may also benefit from eyeglasses that have lenses with a special blue-violet light* filter, which contributes to reduce eye strain from staring at screens for too long. 
  • It contributes to digital eye strain – While this is less dangerous than the effects of the blue light generated by the sun, digital eye strain is something we are all at risk of. Most people spend at least 12 hours a day in front of a screen, though it takes as little as two hours to cause digital eye strain. Dry eyes, eye strain, headaches and tired eyes are all common results of staring at screens for too long. Blue-violet light* exposure from computers and other digital devices can be reduced with special computer glasses.

It’s not all bad news

You are about to hear a fair number of cons about blue light, but it’s important to remember the pros as well. For example, some degree of blue light exposure is necessary for our overall well being. Research shows that blue light regulates circadian rhythm (the body’s wakefulness and sleep cycle), aids memory and cognitive function, boosts alertness, and can improve your mood.

 

*Blue-violet light is between 400 and 455nm as stated by ISO TR 20772:2018

For both indoor and outdoors

As the sun is the largest source of blue-violet light*, protecting our eyes against man-made sources is not enough for those who lead active lifestyles. Clear protective lenses like Crizal® Blue UV Capture™ filter out both UV and blue-violet light* while letting beneficial light to pass through, providing a trusted solution for all.

Another effective method is to use photochromic lenses that are clear in low light conditions but darken as the light increases. Transitions lenses offer optimal protection from UV rays from both the sun and blue-violet light* from digital devices and house lights.

These glasses are suitable for wearers of all ages, a clear advantage especially with children under the age of 12 who are more vulnerable to sun damage due to the fact that their eyes’ natural protective barriers are still underdeveloped.

*Blue-violet light is between 400 and 455nm as stated by ISO TR 20772:2018

FAQ

Does blue-violet light effect your eyes?

Yes, blue-violet light effect your eyes and most of us are easily exposed to the blue violet light from computers, smartphones, the TV and other digital gadgets. Prolonged exposure to the blue-violet light is also the cause of some eye problems

How to check blue cut lenses?

To check blue cut lens, you will need to conduct a blue-violet light filter test. Ideally, blue cut lenses that filter out 20% of the blue-violet light, as recommended, will have a slight yellowish tint on the lens. Though this tint will not be visible when you are wearing the glasses, when you hold them up against the clear sky, you should be able to notice this tint.

Do anti-glare lenses filter blue violet lights?

The function of anti-glare glasses is not the same as blue cut lenses. Anti-glare glasses reduce the impact or the glare of light on your eyes. However, they do not block the visible light spectrum in any way, which is why they do not filter blue-violet light as well. On the other hand, blue cut lenses specifically filter out a majority of the High Energy Visible Light to relieve the strain on the eyes.

Can I use blue violet light filtering glasses all the time?

Since blue light is also present in natural light, you can wear blue-violet light filtering glasses all day. This will not negatively affect your eyes in any way. Even if you don’t do so, it won’t cause any problems. However, if you are spending time in front of the computer, TV or smartphone, it is advisable to wear your blue-violet light filtering glasses to help protect your eyes from the impact of the blue-violet light.

Do kids also need blue violet light filter eyeglasses?

Yes, kids do need to have blue-violet light filter glasses, especially if they spend hours watching television or playing games online or on the smartphone. Now with online classes, hours of online lessons can expose their eyes to blue-violet light which can effect their vision. Hence, children who are exposed to the computer and TV screens for at least more than an hour per day should use blue violet light filtering glasses.

Why blue violet light filtering lenses have a slight yellow tint?

No matter where you are, if there is some amount of light, your eyes will get at least some exposure to blue light. Hence, blue-violet light filtering lenses have a slight yellow tint to filters the blue violet light which can effect your eyes. If blue-violet light filtering glasses have clear lenses, they won’t have a negative impact on your vision; however, they filter out minimum blue light as compared to the tinted lenses.

  • Choosing blue light lenses

How do I choose the right blue violet light filter lenses?

For indoor usage

We can’t seem to escape blue light even if we’re indoors with all the windows shut, because chances we’re sitting in front of a computer, TV, or using our smartphone. For those who spend the majority of their time indoors, computer glasses like Eyezen protect your eyes from extended exposure to blue-violet light and help relax your vision reducing digital eye strain.

 

Spending a lot of time in front of digital screens?

Ask one of our optical expert partner about lenses that protects you against blue-violet light

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