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TESTING YOUR BLUE LIGHT GLASSES

If you want to know how to check if your blue light glasses are genuine, you have come to the right place. Various pairs of blue light glasses filter the light spectrum at multiple wavelengths and differing degrees. Read on to learn more about the various blue light lens tests for each type of eyewear.

WHY IS BLUE LIGHT HARMFUL?

Science has proven that extended exposure to blue light harms your vision. Although humans have tried every method to cut down on screen time, there is only so much they can minimize, and has become almost unavoidable at this point in everybody’s lives. All the devices in our surroundings now emit blue light, and have become an inevitable part of our daily life.

This problem has a scientific solution: blue light glasses.

WHAT ARE BLUE LIGHT GLASSES?

They have lenses attached that are intended to block the intake of blue light. They shield our eyes by blocking out the excessive light from artificial sources. To minimize the potential harm and negative consequences of prolonged blue light exposure, eyeglass designers have developed lenses with unique coatings or tints meant to deflect or filter blue light from reaching your eyes. Wearing blue-light-blocking glasses is believed to decrease eye strain, eye damage, and loss of sleep.

However, skepticism is bound to exist with any product of this nature, and for good reason. Consumers normally wonder whether blue light spectacles genuinely do what they promise to do or whether this is just another scientific gimmick. This is an important part since not all blue light-blocking eyewear is created equal, and the majority of the market's eyewear that makes the claim to "filter blue light" lacks information on the amount or precise wavelengths of blue light being filtered. Additionally, they do not follow the principles of light filtering that operate with your body and replicate natural settings. Thus, testing your blue light glasses becomes important.

HOW TO TEST ANTI-BLUE LIGHT DAYTIME EYEGLASSES (CLEAR LENS)

It is important to remember that clear lens glasses are supposed to be worn during the day, while red or amber-tinted glasses are required at night.

Clear lens glasses do not completely block out blue light, rather, their technology is based on filtering out the excessive rays that are bad for the eyes and guarding them against eye strain, while still letting the blue light that is responsible for mood, and feeling awake and alert, to pass through.

  1. Transmittance Spectrum Report

This is the first and most important step. Ask the manufacturer for the Transmittance Spectrum Report before deciding whether or not to buy a certain pair of glasses. This comprehensive analysis will show how much blue light is blocked by the glasses.

  1. Reflection Test

This technique will show you if any or some blue light has been filtered. Once you put on your glasses, you may start by observing the reflection that is reflected off the lens. If the color of the reflection is blue, then your glasses are reflecting some blue light. If not, they are most likely of no use.

  1. Pigments Test

This can be done by bringing your glasses up to your eyes and looking at any object that is bright white, such as a white background. If white colors warm up just a little bit, it means the clear lens has specific pigments that are meant to absorb blue light as it goes through the lens.

If the white colors do not warm up at all and the lens is completely clear, the glasses likely just contain a basic anti-reflective coating that can block only 5-20% of blue light.

THE NIGHT-TIME BLUE LIGHT GLASSES TESTS (AMBER AND RED LENSES)

The amount and quality of sleep we receive are impacted by blue light exposure in the evening or at night. Use red lenses that completely block blue and green light up to 550 nm, or lighter amber lenses that completely block blue light. Your body may get appropriate levels of blue light and maintain a healthy circadian rhythm by wearing two separate pairs of glasses at different times of the day.

  1. Transmittance Spectrum Report

The transmittance spectrum report is the only reliable technique to determine whether your night glasses are effective. Make sure the test you are obtaining is from a lab-grade spectrometer and ask the company you are buying from for this as a proof.

If the lens is red, it should block 100% of blue and green light up to 550 nm. If it is amber, it should block 100% of blue light. Anything less than this will not result in effective night-time glasses or the best possible sleep for you.

  1. The Squares Test

In this assessment, you should wear your blue light glasses and stare at blue and black squares. If they both seem black, your glasses have fully blocked the blue light.

  1. The RGB Chart Test

Another thing you may do is look at an RGB color chart with the blue light glasses and check whether the blue area is entirely blocked off. This will not function with daytime glasses since they do not completely block out blue light. Therefore, this test is not a suitable way to evaluate blue light protection for the day, but it will give you a decent indication of how well nighttime sleep glasses work.

TAKEAWAY

In a nutshell, it is important to test anti-blue light glasses before deciding on a pair. All of these tests demonstrate that both our daytime and nighttime glasses live up to their claims. To ensure the safety of our eyes and overall health, it is advisable to keep in mind all of the measures before making any purchases.

 

PRESCRIPTION SUNGLASSES

PRESCRIPTION SUNGLASSES - AN ADVANTAGEOUS EYEWEAR SOLUTION

If you have an eye prescription that requires you to wear glasses to correct your vision, you may also want to consider investing in a pair of prescription sunglasses as well. In most cases, people who already wear prescription glasses, have to either purchase their sunglasses separately or use an attachable magnetic or clip-on sun shield over their spectacles. All of these can result in expensive alternatives, which can also look and feel heavy and bulky next to your face.

However, with prescription sunglasses, you may prevent such inconvenience by simply sliding on your shades. Prescription sunglasses, also known as Rx sunglasses, are excellent for driving, enjoying the sun, and even playing sports. Read on to know more about prescription sunglasses.

PRESCRIPTION SUNGLASSES HELP YOU SEE BETTER & SAFEGUARD YOUR EYES

Prescription sunglasses are precisely what they sound like: sunglasses designed with your particular eye prescription. Almost all eye prescriptions can be modified into sunglasses, giving you the best protection against the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation, while also helping you see better even without your normal spectacles.

With prescription sunglasses, your eyes can be saved from the harmful ultraviolet radiation, and also slim your chances of developing cataracts. Additionally, you have greater safety against contracting eye conditions such corneal dystrophies, solar retinitis, and macular degeneration.

Prescription sunglasses are an amazing solution for you, if you have refractive errors in your eyes that must be corrected with prescription spectacles, and you generally like to step out and enjoy the sun.

OVERALL ADVANTAGES INCLUDE

  • Clear vision in outdoor environments
  • No more glares
  • Customization
  • Convenience - no need to cover your prescription glasses with sunglasses
  • Not having to fret about missing magnetic or clip-on sun shields, which can also be expensive to replace on a regular basis.
  • Preventing eye strain, headaches, and damage from nonprescription sunglasses

The two most essential characteristics of the optimal prescription eyeglasses are usability and practicality. If you are still unsure about whether investing in prescription sunglasses is worthwhile, discuss the suitability of using prescription sunglasses with a specialist of your eye care provider.

HOW TO SELECT PRESCRIPTION SUNGLASSES?

Prescription sunglasses are available in many types of lens and frame choices. Keep the following factors in mind while deciding:

  • UV protection - Sunglasses' ultraviolet -blocking abilities should be your top priority, regardless of whether they are prescription or not. Make sure the sunglasses you select provide 100% ultraviolet protection, or as near to it as is feasible.
  • Polarization - People who spend a lot of time near water, sand, or snow, as well as places where light is reflected off surfaces, may find polarized lenses useful. A filter is provided by polarized lenses to lessen the glare from reflected light.
  • Materials - Depending on your specific requirements and preferences, prescription sunglasses can be made from a variety of materials. For instance, it is possible to design lenses that are resistant to breaking. Typically, Trivex or polycarbonate are used to create these kinds of lenses. ​​While some people may prefer using glass.

ADDITIONALLY, TAKE INTO ACCOUNT

  • Darker shades do not not necessarily block more UV rays.
  • When it comes to UV protection, the size of your lens is also important. Therefore, choose bigger sunglasses to provide your eyes the most protection possible.
  • If you play sports, think about getting glasses with amber, green, or gray lenses, since they will improve contrast.
  • When in doubt, get guidance from your optometrist.

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR IN FRAME DESIGNS?

While prescription sunglasses come in practically every frame style imaginable, from cat-eyes to round, and from square to hexagonal, there is one rule that most professionals in the field advise. That is - Extremely curved prescription sunglasses can cause visual distortion and those should be avoided. Your prescription sunglasses could often have a tiny curvature to them, which is harmless. However, depending on the vision and functional requirements, this may differ from person to person.

TAKEAWAY

Prescription sunglasses are a practical, handy, and worthy addition to your eyewear collection. With regular usage, prescription sunglasses can turn into a complete solution for all your eyesight needs, including reading books at close distance in the outdoors, correcting your distant vision, or providing that extra boost for outdoor activities in the sun, without placing additional strain on the eyes.

BEST BLUE LIGHT-BLOCKING GLASSES FOR KIDS

Digital gadgets are becoming more important in children's education, whether for schoolwork or at home. Due to this, parents must take good care of their kids' eyes. Using digital gadgets in moderation generally does not do much damage to your kids' eyes, but using them excessively might prove harmful and lead to digital eye strain and other vision problems.

One approach to mitigate this is to have your children wear blue light glasses, which are known to minimize blue light rays. These rays are emitted by all the digital devices in our surroundings, and have become an inevitable part of our daily life. Various studies have proven that extended exposure to blue light harms our vision.

Blue light-blocking eyewear has gained popularity among parents who wish to take preventative steps to safeguard their children's eyes. Blue light blocking glasses can be used by children who use prescription glasses and even those who do not. While these glasses are beneficial for both adults and children, in this article, our focus will be on the best blue light-blocking glasses for kids.

DIGITAL EYE STRAIN AND ITS SYMPTOMS

Computer vision syndrome, often known as digital eye strain, is a prevalent eye condition that can affect both adults and children. It is caused by the excessive use of digital gadgets, including tablets, computers, and televisions. Although it creates significant discomfort, it is not a life-threatening condition. If your kids have digital eye strain, the symptoms typically go away when they rest their eyes and stop looking at screens for a while.

However, your children's eyes might suffer short- and long-term harm from digital eye strain, such as retinal aging before its time. Younger children are more susceptible to eye damage from blue light, because their eyes are more sensitive and permeable than adults' eyes. There are a few signs to watch out for, if you believe your kids may be experiencing digital eye strain, such as:

  • Constant vision discomfort
  • Headaches
  • Watery eyes
  • Dry eyes
  • Double or blurry vision
  • Trouble focusing the eyes
  • Sensitivity to light

If your children are exhibiting these symptoms and you fear it is due to excessive usage of digital screens, you can opt for blue light glasses to alleviate and avoid the problems. It should be noted that these glasses serve more of a preventive and a basic safeguarding method. For major vision issues or severe digital eye strains, parents should get their children diagnosed by an optometrist.

WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS?

Reduced blue light exposure can aid children's circadian rhythms and sleep quality. Limiting screen time is the most effective approach to do this. However, restricting the use of mobile devices and televisions after sunset is unrealistic for many families.

Another approach to minimize your child's exposure to blue light from digital devices is to get them blue light-blocking glasses. Using them for at least three hours before bedtime should enhance your child's melatonin production and sleep efficiency. Numerous health advantages can result from better sleep quality, including:

  • Child emotional and behavioral regulation
  • Parent-child bonding
  • Language development
  • Literacy

TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE BEST BLUE LIGHT GLASS FOR YOUR KID

There are a few things we recommend while buying blue-light-filtering glasses for children:

  • The company claims - Blue-light-filtering glasses do reduce a little amount of blue light, which may help children sleep better at night, particularly if they use their gadgets close to bedtime. However, companies that promise that their goods can completely remove digital eye strain should be discouraged. Only good practices can help with that.
  • Durability - Examine the materials used to make the glasses to evaluate if they can withstand any wear and tear that your kid may put them to.
  • Refunds and return procedures - Glasses, especially children's glasses, break. Before you buy, check the retailer's return and exchange procedures and verify to see whether the glasses are covered by a guarantee from the manufacturer.

MANAGING SCREEN TIME & EYE CARE TECHNIQUES

Managing children's screen time is one of the biggest issues parents have in today's digital age. There is relatively little scientific research to help parents decide what constitutes a "healthy" screen usage. Additionally, education is increasingly reliant on digital interactions. Understand that blue light glasses are not your ultimate option for limiting your child's exposure to blue light. Also employ these techniques to ensure that your kid's eyes are healthy and fit:

  • Remember the 20-20-20 rule

Take a 20-minute break from the screen. Spend 20 seconds focusing on anything that is at least 20 feet away. To ease any stiffness or discomfort while doing this exercise, get up and extend your neck and back.

  • Modify your kids’ workspace

The computer should be set up such that the screen's center is 15 to 20 degrees below eye level. Place the computer screen about 20 inches (at arm's length) away from your kid’s chair or 16 inches away from a tablet or other smaller device. Try enlarging the text on the screen if you notice them struggling to see.

  • Apply lubricating eye drops

To lessen dryness, apply lubricating eye drops or artificial tears to your child's eyes throughout the day (consult a doctor about suitable dosages).

  • Use glasses rather than contacts

Make sure your kid wears glasses rather than contact lenses when using screens if they require vision correction. Contact lenses may aggravate eye discomfort.

  • Make use of anti-glare protection

It is possible to have an anti-reflective coating for computers and prescription glasses. Your digital device's glare can also be reduced by matte displays or screen protectors.

TAKEAWAY

Children's blue-light-blocking eye glasses are becoming popular. It is essential to understand that blue light glasses are a supportive measure, which should be accompanied by healthy screen time practices. However, if your child uses screens before bed, these glasses will filter the blue light, which may make it easier for them to go to sleep. Consult your eye doctor if you have questions about your child's digital eye strain.