Tip #3 - Blue light facts
Ads for blue light blocking glasses FILL my Facebook feed. Children and adults spend hours looking at screens every day. With claims to lessen computer eyestrain, and to protect the eyes from harmful light, parents may consider ordering these glasses as their children begin computer learning. Here is what you need to know…
Dr. Phillip Yuhas (OSU) studies retinal cells that are sensitive to blue light and relay to our brain the brightness of our environment. Too bright of light in the evening makes it harder to fall asleep.
Blue blocking lenses only decrease a fraction of the blue light coming from your devices.
Playing outside exposes you to much higher amounts of blue light than you get from screens.
Staring at screens reduces how frequently you blink, leaving the eyes irritated and red. This eye dryness can cause eyestrain.
Looking up close for long periods of time fatigues the eye focusing and coordinating muscles, causing headaches and eye fatigue.
What should you do?
Use the ‘Night Shift’ setting and dim the overall brightness of all devices in the evening.
Push your monitor back on your desk. Hold the tablet or phone at least 16 inches from your face.
Take breaks - Review the ‘20-20-20 Rule’ from Tip #1
If you are experiencing eyestrain, make an appointment with your eye doctor to determine the cause and get help.
Blue blocking glasses probably won’t hurt your eyes, but I’m saving my money to buy something special for our new teacher.
