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Do I need special blue light blocking glasses for my computer or phone?

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I get asked this question almost daily, and the short answer is no! I get asked this question almost daily, and the short answer is no!

Much to do has been made in the last couple of years about the damaging effects of blue light from our computers and phones on our eyes. This worry has come from research at Toledo University that was published in Scientific Reports. This research examined a naturally occurring chemical found in the human eye called retinal. The research found that when retinal is exposed to blue light, it is more toxic to other cells.

There are several problems with jumping to the conclusion that blue light will damage our eyes. First, in the living retina, there are proteins that protect against the toxic effects of retinal. Second, the research was done on cells that were not derived from the retina. Third, the cells were not exposed to the blue light the same way they are in our eye.

In fact, we need blue light to help regulate our circadian rhythm. We need blue light to feel alert and awake during the day. If we block blue light, we may feel sluggish and sleepy.

We get most of our blue light from the sunlight. Some research is suggesting that this may, in fact, be beneficial in the growth and development of children’s eyes and may decrease the risk of developing myopia.

Blue light is high energy light (380nm-500nm) so it scatters more. This does make it more difficult for us to focus and so can lead to more eyestrain.

We often use lens coatings that block 20 percent of the blue light to help decrease this eyestrain.

We recommend using special blue blocking lenses if you have glasses that you use just for computer work, or if you have glasses that you wear JUST in the evening before bed.

Written by Dr. Sherri Norris

More Articles By Dr. Sherri Norris

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  • Calgary, AB T2P 1R2

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Drawing showing the difference between regular eye and presbyopic eye.

Have you found yourself squinting at fine print more as you get older or holding your book a little further away, or wanting more light to see fine print? You might be dealing with presbyopia—one of several common eye conditions that can sneak up on us as we age.  Presbyopia is like other refractive errors, […]

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Close-up of a senior woman undergoing a slit-lamp exam.

Glaucoma is a term that refers to a group of eye conditions often recognized by their connection to high pressure inside the eye. It can lead to damage to the optic nerve and cause permanent vision loss. In its earliest stages, this condition doesn’t have noticeable symptoms, leading many people to wonder how it’s diagnosed […]

Read More…

Graphical representation of a regular eye and the lens of an eye with a cataract.

Cataracts occur when our lens in the middle of eye gets cloudy and opaque. They can be a frustrating thing to deal with in your everyday life, and while they are very common, many of our patients wonder about how they are treated. One common question we’re asked is whether or not you can use […]

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