With only a short search of the internet, you can find a lot of information explaining the dangers of blue light. Often in these descriptions, however, the amount of exposure necessary to cause damage seems excessive. The typical standard for digital eye strain is four hours of continuous digital screen usage. That amount of usage, more and more, becomes common. However, if you read that and think "not me!" You're not alone. So, on a practical level, we must ask, who needs blue light protection? It's easy to envision gamers or programmers wearing blue light blocking glasses, but what about other hobbies or professions? Today, we'll explain exactly who would benefit from the consistent use of blue light glasses.
Professions
Any profession requiring the use of digital screens would benefit from blue light protection. Often such professions also allow for flexible work times. This is nice as a practical matter for the worker, but for their eyes? This means working after dark. That makes matters even work. The following examples, in particular, should protect themselves.
- Programer: No one would second guess this. Programmers expose their eyes to excessive blue light for at least 8 hours per day. Programmers focused gaze, often on multiple screens, can become hypnotic, and all the more dangerous. Thinking about logic and language, they fall short on protecting their eyes from the constant barrage of blue light.
- Blogger: On a deadline, multiple drafts due, and working erratic hours. These all describe typical bloggers. getting behind a deadline is a way to really put the pressure on. In such circumstances, working late into the night for hours at a time is a likely and common occurrence. Protection during those kinds of days and nights couldn't be more crucial.
- Graphic Designer: Again, we find someone with a steady, careful gaze. Looking closely at the screen, zooming in to check details, raising the brightness on the screen, turning down the overhead lights. All of this in service of the project, making sure everything looks just right. Unfortunately, all of these habits tend to endanger their eyes.
Hobbies
Not all hobbies are created equal when it comes to blue light. Some expose you to more. Below are three examples of hobbies that fall under that category.
- Netflix Bingers: Anyone who watches television late into the night, often on a phone or laptop, for hours on end? Yeah, you could use some protection. Not only to avoid computer vision syndrome but to help you sleep better.
- Kindle Readers: Someone with enough time to read several hours a day (make the rest of us jealous, why don't you!) puts their eyes at risk if they use technology. A Kindle or other e-reader is a great way to keep your whole library with you on the go, and always have the ability to get a new book. However, staring at any screen lit by LED, thus emitting blue light, causes problems.
- Avid Gamers: I for one, as a casual gamer, have found myself at a friend's house from 10 pm-2 am playing Halo on multiple occasions. Everyone feels burned out, exhausted, and a little sick after. Blame the blue light! You're dimming the lights, pumping the brightness, and staring unblinkingly at the screens. Don't want to miss a moment, don't want to lose a life. Well, all of that is inherent to gaming, but the aftermath I described doesn't need to be. Protect yourself!
Age Groups
Everyone can benefit from blue light protection, but some need it more than others. Below we list three groups that need to take special care.
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- Children and Young Adults: Developing eyes and brains are particularly susceptible to the damage blue light causes. Children need special protection, because they are prone to technology addiction, and overuse. Helping set limits on usage, and helping them get protection is essential.
- Middle-Aged: Macular degeneration begins when we're born. It's the process by which we slowly go blind. Our eyesight gets worse throughout our lives. This accelerates rapidly in middle-age. Blue light has been proven to increase the speed and severity of macular degeneration. Middle-aged folks should be cautious about their exposure and should protect themselves where necessary.
- Elderly: Those in old age often struggle with visual impairment issues. Combine this with decreased mobility, and you often end up with someone who has eye troubles, who sits on the couch with their phone, tv, or computer all day. Either way, it's a recipe for blue light problems. Furthermore, older folks often struggle with sleep issues. Excessive blue light exposure only exacerbates the problem.
If you fall into one or more of these categories, as it's likely you do, then don't wait any longer. Protect yourself from the blue light to which you expose yourself every day. Learn about which level of lens protection is right for you, and be sure to check out the new prescription and reading lens options for our best selling Intercept and Vertex.
