Eye strain? No problem!

New glasses can protect eyes from harmful blue light rays

By Aaron Guillen, Staff Reporter

In the digital age, most people have spent a lot of time staring at a computer screen, often for hours on end—it might be for a job, a final research essay, a game, or a Netflix binge. Those extensive periods of mindless staring, can cause blurring of eyesight, headaches, and back or neck muscle pain. Yet what is so bad about watching more YouTube videos than usual? The light that is emitted from these devices holds the answer.

“Blue wavelengths—which are beneficial during daylight hours because they boost attention, reaction times, and mood—seem to be the most disruptive at night. And the proliferation of electronics with screens, as well as energy-efficient lighting, is increasing our exposure to blue wavelengths, especially after sundown,” states a health publication at Harvard Medical School.

In the past, people were exposed to light from the sun, then from fire, and now technology. With multiple devices owned, we are constantly exposed to the light that these electronics radiate every time we turn them on.

High Energy Visible (HEV) blue light causes havoc in the brain. It is known to cause blurred vision, headaches, dry eyes, and, worst of all, sleeping problems. The release of melatonin, well-known for its ability to control your sleep cycle, is disturbed by the imitation of daylight from your electronics, making it difficult to fall asleep.

According to the 2014 Vision Watch survey results, nearly 3 in 10 adults (29.8 per cent) are high users, spending more than 9 hours each day using digital devices. With a recommended two hours spent staring at screens per day from the Vision Council, the eyesight of millions around the world is slowly deteriorating.

Fortunately, Clearly, a well-known Vancouver company that sells glasses, has the first steps to a solution. Recently, the company collaborated with Kodak to bring a whole new way to see the world, all while protecting your eyes from blue light.

The lenses “reflect and filter blue light emitted by digital devices and artificial light,” states Clearly’s website. This innovation in technology will surely enable generations to come to work more efficiently, without causing damage to their eyes.