Do Blue Light Filters on Mobile Devices Prevent Eye Strain?

Do Blue Light Filters on Mobile Devices Prevent Eye Strain?



Blue light is everywhere in this day and age - from smartphones, TV's desktops, iPads, and in the great outdoors when the sun is shining bright. Typically, the blue light you see outside is healthy for your brain as it helps trigger your alertness as it stimulates energy. However, people from all over the world are spending ten hours a day looking at digital screens.

The light that is emitting from such devices can penetrate all the way to the retina and damage light-sensitive cells. Despite the risks, it's nearly impossible for people to part with their mobiles as it has become an essential tool in every person's daily living.

For that reason, screen filters, computer glasses, and filter applications were created to help solve the problem. While it's designed to shield your eyes from blue light, does it actually work? We've got you covered as we're here to shed some light on the matter.



What is Blue Light?

Blue light is part of the visible light spectrum, which is a tiny fraction of what human eyes cand detect between the sun's wavelengths. It's crucial to note that blue light rays have the smallest frequency compared to primary colors like red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. This also means that it has the highest energy photons.

People can naturally sense this light as it activates the body's internal body clock, leading to awareness, a shift of mood, and boost in reaction times. Once the sun goes down, the low energy light in the visual spectrum triggers the production of a sleep-inducing hormone called melatonin.



What is the Problem with Blue Light?

Due to the rise of the digital age, people are now regularly exposed to artificial blue light. This disrupt's the brain's natural circadian rhythm, which is what allows a seamless transition between wakefulness and sleepiness.

With that in mind, overexposure to artificial blue light can lead to insomnia. In return, it paves the way to other prevalent diseases like depression, anxiety, and obesity. The worst-case scenario involves macular degeneration, which inevitably results in vision loss.

Due to blue light being vital yet highly dangerous, studies continuously find ways to optimize blue light intake during the day and regulate the exposure once dusk settles.



Do Blue Light Screen Filters Protect Your Eyes?

Nearly all digital devices come with options to opt for screen filters, which is a coated material that reduces the amount of blue light from devices. The anti-glare materials consist of acrylic or polycarbonate plastic, both of which are natural UV filters.

The technology aims to eliminate high-risks of digital eye strain, which will help reduce fatigue, blurry vision, and headaches. Additionally, the filters will help block off the adverse effects of artificial light, saving you from sleeplessness, cataracts, and macular degeneration.

How we reviewed this article:

Ocushield has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Current Version
September 30, 2020

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