How Blue Light Blockers Can Affect Your Sleep Quality

Sleep is crucial to overall health as it allows the body and mind to rest and rejuvenate. Unfortunately, many people struggle with sleep disorders, with chronic insomnia impacting 10 to 15% of the population. Various factors contribute to sleep disturbances, including stress, poor sleep habits, and underlying medical conditions. One modern culprit is excessive exposure to blue light.

If you’ve ever struggled to fall asleep after working in front of your computer all day or scrolling on your phone late at night, blue light may be to blame. What is blue light, and how does it affect your eye health and sleep quality?

What Is Blue Light?

Blue light is a high-energy, short-wavelength light found naturally in sunlight and artificially in digital screens and LED lighting. Natural blue light can help regulate our sleep cycle and improve alertness. However, too much artificial blue light can harm our eyes.

Blue Light and Eye Health

Prolonged exposure to blue light can cause eye strain, manifesting as dry eyes, headaches, and blurred eyesight. Over time, it can also result in retinal damage, increasing the risk of macular degeneration.

As digital screen usage becomes more prevalent in daily life, it is essential to take steps to protect your eyes. If you experience persistent eye strain or vision issues, scheduling an eye exam with an optometrist can assess and address any problems. An eye doctor can recommend lifestyle changes and tools like blue light blockers.

What Are Blue Light Blockers?

Blue light blockers are specialized lenses and screen filters designed to decrease the amount of blue light reaching the eyes. These blockers come in various forms, including blue light glasses, anti-reflective coatings on prescription lenses, and screen protectors for digital devices.

Blue light blockers can relieve digital eye strain, minimize glare, and enhance visual comfort when using screens for extended periods. By using blue light blockers every day, you can reduce eye discomfort and protect your vision. This is especially important if school or work requires you to spend a lot of time on mobile devices.

Blue Light Glasses and Sleep Quality

Now, where does sleep quality fit into the mix? Another thing about blue light exposure is that it influences sleep quality. Blue light stifles the production of the hormone responsible for regulating sleep, melatonin. With blue light before bedtime, melatonin levels drop, making it harder to fall asleep.

Blue light glasses help reduce this problem. They filter out harmful blue light. This allows the body to produce melatonin properly. Studies suggest that wearing blue light glasses in the evening can improve the time it takes to fall asleep, which we call sleep latency, and sleep duration.

Should You Get Blue Light Blockers?

Studies about the benefits of blue light blockers are ongoing. Some believe they are effective in shielding the eyes from stress and promoting good sleep, while others continue to try to see the connection between the three.

Generally, experts still emphasize the importance of monitoring and controlling screen time and taking frequent breaks for your eyes. The “20-20-20 rule” remains helpful: Look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds every 20 minutes. You can also leverage artificial tears to keep your eyes hydrated. The best thing to do is consult an eye doctor to know the condition of your eyes and how your activities are affecting them.

Buying and wearing blue light blockers will not hurt. After all, they were manufactured to help you. They are widely available in stores and online.

Consider getting a pair of eyeglasses with UV protection if you are outside for most of the day. Ensure comfort for extended wear to make the most of it.

See Eye Doctors Near Me

At Eye Wares, we prioritize eye health and overall well-being. Our experienced optometrist, Dr. Lauren Agnew, OD, strongly believes that blue light blockers are pivotal in enriching sleep quality. We have provided many individuals with high-quality blue light blockers and let them experience the advantages firsthand.

Our team of eye doctors delivers comprehensive eye care, evaluating vision health before offering tailored solutions. If you suffer from frequent eye strain or sleep disturbances, we are here to help. Happy eyes and sweet dreams are waiting for you. Contact us online or book an eye exam with an optometrist today.