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Are Blue-Light Glasses A Scam?

  • Writer: Richard J Yun
    Richard J Yun
  • Nov 27, 2019
  • 3 min read

As a personal user of blue-light glasses I only have positive reviews for these glasses. I feel as though my eyes feel 'refreshed' when I am wearing the glasses and that allows me to work for longer hours. However, in a recent article posted by CBC News, many big name players in the eye-wear industry such as LensCrafter, Hakim, Vogue, HBC claim lenses can help prevent serious eye diseases; and experts say they're wrong...


Global sales of blue light filtering lenses reached $18 million US in 2019, according to Marketwatch.com.


The problem is that many experts say that digital blue light isn't harmful and blue light glasses are unnecessary.


CBC's Marketplace hidden camera investigation found that sales associate at the largest optical chains were making "misleading" health claims about blue light from computer monitors and screens is harmful.


Claims included

- Fatigue

- Headaches

- Damage to their retina leading to serious eye diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts.

- Blue light may increase the risk of "certain types of cancers."


A Word From An Expert


The problem opthalmologist and maculer specialist Dr. Sunir Garg were claims that blue light from digital devices might lead to retinal damage, age related AMD and possibly cancer.


Dr. Garg was concerned that optical chains are using fear/scare tactics to sell blue light filtering lenses.


"I can't fault them [because] I'm sure they're getting a little info sheet that says here's three talking point about blue light-blocking lenses, but it's not based on scientific data, " Garg said.


"People will quote that blue light can hurt retinal cells," Garg said, "but what they're not telling you is that it's not been shown in any group of people who are using their screens." 


The science into the harms from blue light is mostly done with retinal cells in a petri dish, he said, "or taking a poor mouse and and shining a blue light ray intensely into their eyeball for hours on end."


No Evidence Lens Are Needed

Both Khurana and Garg told Marketplace there's no research that suggests blue light filtering lenses are necessary. 


Phillip Yuhas, an assistant professor of optometry at Ohio State University, agrees. He said studies have shown people blink far less during computer use and that blue light filters have not shown any improved "visual comfort" for digital eye strain.


Khurana said if the problem people are having is from digital eyestrain, then blue light filters are doing nothing to address the core issue and "could be doing more harm than good."


But that hasn't stopped eyeglass retailers from promoting them. One optician told Marketplace the blue filter lens is like an "extra shield on top of your eyes to protect your eyes from harmful rays." 


Free Solution


Here is a bio-hack that you can start using instead of wearing blue-light glasses.

Staring at screens for a long time can make eyes feel dry, tired and strained, but blue light is not the culprit, said Garg, and purchasing special lenses won't fix the issue.


"What's bothering [people] isn't the blue light. It's the fact that when they're staring at their screen a lot they're not blinking as often.


"That causes the eye to dry out, [and] when your eyes become dry, they become irritated and scratchy and tired." 


To deal with that, he recommends a simple fix. It's called  "the 20-20-20 rule."  Look at least 20 feet (six metres) away from your screen for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. 


Source:

I'm a UofT student and this is a student exploration project sponsored by KiImpact.com

 
 
 

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