Years ago, a well-known department store used to run “Blue Light Specials.” When blue lights in the store began strobing, shoppers knew there was a special flash sale going on and would race to get these products at a discount. Shoppers loved Blue Light Specials.
Today, though, individuals are dealing with a different type of blue light—that emitted from digital devices. Computers, tablets, phones, TVs—even the sun—all release blue light which is undetectable to the human eye. Blue light is not dangerous—it won’t cause life-threatening disease or death. However, it can cause issues, most often with sleep.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) exposure to blue light, especially in in the evenings, can cause trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Experts recommend that individuals stop using technology two or three hours before bedtime. For those with an early night routine, however, that can be challenging. If eliminating devices before bed isn’t optimal, setting them on “nighttime” light settings will help reduce eye strain and blue light absorption.
What about special eyeglasses that are supposed to block blue light from devices? The AAO doesn’t recommend them. It states that there isn’t enough research to support the effectiveness of this type of glasses.
