In the previous article, we discussed “What color glasses go best with gray hair?”. In this article, let’s talk about “Can blue light blocking glasses cause headaches?”.
Electronic products such as mobile phones and computers are playing more and more important roles in people's daily lives. While these electronic products bring convenience and fun to people, they also bring many hidden eye health risks. In recent years, anti-blue light glasses have quietly emerged in the market, claiming to strengthen the vision and protect eye health. So, why do people want to prevent blue light? Are anti-blue glasses really effective?
What kind of light is blue light?
Blue light is light of a certain wavelength. In the sunlight, including red light, orange light, yellow light, green light, blue light, indigo light, and purple light, blue light occupies a place. The wavelength of blue light is less than that of red light but greater than purple light. The energy intensity is also different, and the blue light is relatively less strong than red light. People must rely on the 'macula' to perceive light. The macula is a 'pearl' hidden in the fundus and the most important photosensitive part of the fundus. The macula can look at objects, generate electrical signals, and transmit the signals to the brain so that people can see the things in front of them clearly. Strong light shines directly on the eyes, and it is likely to cause damage to the macular structure at once.
Do blue light glasses really protect your eyes?
Scientists at the University of Kansas in the United States summarized the results of studies around the world in the past 30 years and pointed out that there is not enough evidence in human trials to prove that blue light is related to macular degeneration, and there is no test showing that blocking blue light glasses are related to macular degeneration. Moreover, experts from the University of S?o Paulo in Brazil have observed after five years that patients who use anti-blue light intraocular lenses after cataract surgery have no difference in the incidence of macular disease compared with those who use ordinary intraocular lenses.
Is blue light blocking worth it?
There are two main problems with anti-blue glasses currently on the market. One is that the place to be prevented is not preventable, and the other is that people have color casts due to wrong protection and aggravate visual fatigue. Studies have shown that our eyes are the most intolerant of blue light in the 400-440 nanometer band. Therefore, current manufacturers mainly block blue light in this band when producing anti-blue glasses. However, the blue waveband of electronic products is between 450 nanometers and 490 nanometers, so most anti-blue glasses have little protection in this waveband. In addition, the blocking rate of anti-blue glasses is 20%~30% to achieve a good anti-blue light effect, but now the blocking rate of anti-blue glasses on the market has basically reached 80%~90%. All in all, these blocking blue light glasses cannot prevent the blue light in the 450-490 nanometer band, and their high blocking rate will also cause a color shift, which makes people more likely to have eye fatigue and headache.
In daily life, the intensity of blue light is low, not enough to cause damage to the fundus, so ordinary people do not need to wear anti-blue glasses unless they are working in extremely strong light conditions or working in special environments. To protect the eyes, it is more important for people to develop good eye habits. For example, wear a pair of suitable glasses and read insufficient light and at an appropriate distance. Avoid using electronic products for a long time. Take a break for 20 to 30 seconds every 20 to 30 minutes, and look at the distance regularly. If you have dry eyes while reading the electronic screen, remember to blink to 12 times per minute. It is best to wear sunglasses when outdoors.
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