Many people are unaware that the glasses they use can reduce eye fatigue caused by computer work.
Why do I need prescription computer glasses?
Eye strain and fatigue from prolonged computer use are common complaints.
The muscles in your eyes are trying to focus for long periods of time on a fixed object. This can cause eye fatigue, headaches and dry eyes. This is similar to the strain that you may feel after wearing a heavy backpack for long periods of time. At first, you might not notice it, but you will feel pain in areas you did not know existed.
Here's how to reduce eye fatigue caused by computer use:
- Speak to your eye doctor. If you are experiencing eye fatigue or other computer-related symptoms, measure the distance you sit from your monitor and then visit your doctor. Your eye doctor may prescribe computer-specific prescriptions that are stronger than distance or reading glasses.
- Use anti-reflective lenses. An AR coating reduces glare and reflections while wearing glasses. This also makes the lenses appear clearer. It may also help you with eye fatigue.
- Take regular breaks. Eye fatigue is often caused by overusing the eye muscles when reading on a screen. You can prevent this by taking frequent short breaks. Take a break from your computer and take a look at something that is farther away. This will allow your eyes to relax.
- Adjust your lighting. Make sure that the lighting is good in your room, and there are no glares from light reflecting off your monitor or lenses. This can cause eye fatigue.
- Adjust the monitor. The monitor should be approximately 1-1/2 to 2 1/2 feet away from your face. Eye fatigue can occur if the monitor is too close or far away.
- Keep your eyes moist. Keep moistening drops close to your computer if you suffer from indoor allergies, or if they naturally dry out after reading for a long time. Use them when needed. Dry eyes can cause fatigue and soreness.
If you work on a computer regularly for long periods of time, eye comfort is essential. Do everything possible to keep your eye muscles relaxed, and avoid any symptoms of eye fatigue. Nobody wants to leave work with sore eyes and a headache. This could ruin their night.
It is also important to keep up with your eye prescription. You should see your eye doctor if you are experiencing headaches due to computer usage and reading, but you have not had an eye examination in the past year or so. Discuss your symptoms. If you're experiencing discomfort, a new prescription may be the best way to relieve it.
CAN YOU GET PRESCRIPTION GLASSES WITH BLUE LIGHT FILTER?
Not many people may know what blue light is, and the many ways it can harm your eyes. It is important to know that there are ways to protect your eyes from blue light. People who wear prescription glasses can get glasses with a blue light filter, but people who don’t, can still get glasses with blue light protection. Before looking for a pair of prescription glasses with blue light filter capabilities, it is important to know what blue light is and what produces it the most.
What is Blue Light?
Blue light is in the middle of the light spectrum ranging from 380-500nm (nanometers). It is a visible light with the shortest wavelength and highest energy. What is different from blue light, compared to other visible light colors, is that blue light can reach all the way to the retina (the inner lining of the back of the eye). It is similar to Ultraviolet rays, but not as dangerous, as UV rays can physically damage skin and other living tissue. The human eye is more effective at blocking UV rays from reaching the retina than it is from blocking blue light.
Blue light can be harmful to your eyes, but this doesn’t mean all blue light is entirely bad for you. Having the proper exposure of blue light at the right time can lead to good health by boosting alertness, helping memory, and elevating mood. Exposing yourself to blue light during daytime hours can also help maintain a healthy sleep cycle.
What Projects Blue Light?
Sunlight is the main source, but there are also many man-made, indoor sources of blue light; devices like computer screens, flat screen televisions, iPads, tablets, eBooks, smartphones, etc. The amount of light that is emitted from electronic devices is a fraction of what is projected by the sun, but can still be harmful. opthamologists and other healthcare professionals are concerned about the possible long-term effects of blue light.
Because people spend around six hours a day in front of a computer screen, ophthalmologists are concerned about the possible long term effects that blue light can have. Doctors know having too much exposure to blue light at night can disrupt sleep cycles, potentially causing daytime fatigue. In regards to potential eye damage, there isn’t much evidence that proves or disproves, that blue light from computer screens causes long-lasting damage to your eye.
Unfortunately, scientists need more time to see if there are long term effects of blue light from computer screens and other digital devices. We can’t avoid blue light as we are dependent on these devices for everyday tasks, but this doesn’t mean you can’t take precautions in protecting your eyes from the harm blue light can potentially have on your eyes.
Prescription Glasses with Blue Light Filter
To determine if blue light filters are right for your prescription glasses, you should consult with your optician or ophthalmologist. You can either be prescribed an anti-reflective coating with blue blocker, or order a pair of clear polycarbonate lenses with pigment inside that filters out the blue. Both options are good for reducing the levels of blue light, but both have their advantages and disadvantages.
Anti-reflective (AR) coating with blue blocker is an add-on feature for all types of eyeglasses that we offer. What’s great about AR coating is that as well as reducing blue light, it also reduces eye strain and makes your eyeglasses look more attractive. By eliminating reflections, an AR coating can make your eyeglasses nearly invisible allowing people to see your eyes and facial expressions more clearly.
There are some disadvantages an AR coating with blue blocker can have. For instance, it only blocks 85% of blue light. Some may prefer this, but others may want better results. Another drawback of having an AR coating is the constant cleaning. If not cleaned properly, the lenses can be exposed to possible scratching. Using a dry cloth on a dry lens can easily cause the lens to scratch, so remember to use a wet cloth to clean the lens at all times.
If an AR coating with blue blocker isn’t the right choice, a specialty made clear polycarbonate lenses might be the right choice for you. You can order prescription lenses with a special pigment inside that filters out blue light. What is great about blue light resistant polycarbonate lenses is that they are cost-friendly and available in single vision and progressive bifocal through our website. Not only will polycarbonate lenses naturally block UV light, they also block the same amount, or more, blue light as an AR coating would. As an added bonus, your vision is as clear as regularly made lenses that are without the inserted pigment.
If you use specialty made clear polycarbonate lenses to block out blue light, make sure to not mix them up with other glasses you may have. It might be hard to tell which glasses are blue light-resistant, but there is a cool trick to figure out this problem. In order to figure out which pair of glasses are blue light-resistant, aim a blue-colored laser through the lenses of each pair and the one that blocks it is the pair that is blue light-resistant.
The Choice is Yours
Regardless of what your choice may be, we hope to have helped you decide whether or not you need blue light filters in your prescription glasses. If you are looking to upgrade or in need of a new pair, it doesn’t hurt to include blue light filters. By taking the extra precaution, you can protect your eyes from potentially harmful blue light from computer screens and other digital devices. At VS Eyewear, we are proud to offer a variety of options regarding eye safety and clarity, carry a wide range of brands with blue light filters in their lenses.
