Blue Light Glasses

Most of us spend several hours every day in front of some sort of computer, smartphone, television, or tablet. These technologies aren't going away any time soon, so it's essential to understand the risks they may pose to your vision and eye health. One leading risk factor is excessive exposure to blue light, which gets emitted from digital devices. Our optometry team at Eye Site Texas in Houston and Katy is happy to help you and your loved ones stay well-informed and well-protected.

Understanding Blue Light and Why It Can Harm Your Eyes

Blue light is emitted in large amounts by digital devices. It also comes from the sun as well as fluorescent and LED lighting. Blue light has short wavelengths and high energy, which has long wavelengths and lower energy. Its lower energy allows blue light to deeply penetrate your eyes, where it can interact with sensitive tissues, including your lenses and retinas. Researchers believe that when your eyes are exposed to too much blue light, oxidative stress and DNA damage can occur. This could be why studies suggest that over the long-term, excessive blue light exposure appears to increase the risk of chronic conditions like macular degeneration and cataracts.

Symptoms include eye fatigue and blurry vision. Blue light exposure even appears to interrupt processes in the brain involved in sleep. This could help explain why excessive smartphone and television use, especially late at night, is linked to insomnia.

Stay Safe from Blue Light with Specialty Glasses

There are plenty of techniques you can use to reduce your exposure to blue light. Our optometrists recommend strategies like installing blue light blocking screens or apps directly on your digital devices.

We understand that avoiding screens isn't possible for most patients. Fortunately, today there is blue light blocking glasses. These are eyeglasses made with a special coating that filters out the majority of blue light, preventing it from reaching your eyes. Blue light blocking lenses are available in prescription and non-prescription eyeglasses!

Contact Us for Vision Care from Our Eye Doctors in Katy or Houston 

Even if you can't avoid staring at screens, you can still protect your eyes from excessive blue light. Contact our team at Eye Site Texas to schedule an appointment with one of our optometrists and get fitted for blue light blocking lenses. Our team is committed to providing patients the eye care they need at our Houston and Katy offices.