Fears that screens damage our eyes have been around for almost as long as the screens themselves. I remember my mum warning me that I'd get square eyes if I watched too much TV. Blue blocking glasses aren't new either. They first emerged in the 1980s when NASA realised astronauts needed extra protection from the stronger radiation in space2. But in recent years,' blue light' glasses have exploded in popularity as brands have tapped into the growing sense that we spend too much time on our devices.
Vendors claim that blue light from our devices is responsible for digital eye strain, headaches, and even permanent retinal damage. But can blue light really damage your eyes?
The Truth About Blue Light
Understanding Blue Light
There's no conclusive evidence linking screen-use with retinal damage. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) issued the following statement on Blue Light Blockers in July 2019.
"No evidence exists to suggest that normal environmental exposure to blue light, including those from digital screen technology, causes damage to eyesight. Filtering out the blue light from screens is not necessary in general use1."
Although the LEDs that light our homes and devices emit more blue light than most artificial lighting technologies of the past, they still emit hundreds of times less blue light than sunlight.
Think about it, if blue light were the cause of eye strain, one would expect those spending time outdoors to be worse affected!
Digital Eye Strain: Causes and Solutions
Many ophthalmologists believe that discomfort when staring at screens for extended periods is due to blinking less frequently, causing dry eyes and pain. The 20-20-20 rule is suggested every twenty minutes, take a twenty-second break, and look at something twenty feet away. However, some people claim that blue light glasses have helped with digital eye strain. Daniel Georgiev, the founder of the popular blue light filter app Iris, believes that the flicker of screens is the main cause of digital eye strain.
Find out more about Eye Health Here.
LEDs have only been widely adopted in the past decade. LEDs emit hundreds of times less blue light than sunlight. However, some believe that the spectrum of LEDs poses a risk to eye health. Our eyes contain three types of photoreceptors: rods, cones, and photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). These cells detect light and signal the body's master clock to keep the circadian rhythm in sync. Exposure to blue light at night disrupts the circadian rhythm, delaying sleep onset.
Loop Light is a better alternative to blue light glasses because it addresses the root cause of digital eye strain, which is flicker. The constant flicker of screens causes our eyes to work harder, leading to discomfort, dry eyes, and pain. While blue light glasses may help to filter out some blue light, they do not address the flicker issue. In contrast, Loop Light's unique technology provides a stable and constant light source, reducing flicker and relieving digital eye strain. Additionally, Loop Light's sleek design eliminates the need for bulky glasses and allows for more comfortable and natural screen use.
Unlike blue light glasses, Ralph and the team's innovative Loop Light delivers you the light you need, when you need it.
The Loop syncs to your timezone, ensuring you always get the best light you need to boost your cognitive function.
- Exposure to bright light in the mornings has been found to enhance energy levels and cognitive performance, leading to increased productivity.
- In contrast, insufficient or dim light can leave us feeling lethargic and unfocused, decreasing productivity.
With Loop Light, you can take control of your light exposure and improve your health, productivity, and overall well-being.
benefits
Loop will improve your...
metabolism
Health
environment
stress
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How does it work?
Whether in your home or workspace, position a Loop nearby and experience the benefits of its life-enhancing light delivery.
HEALTH
PERFORMANCE
The OSIN purpose
We are on a mission to end circadian disruption. By developing cutting-edge circadian lighting products, we give people access to the circadian light their bodies need.
Start Improving Your Health Today
Position a Loop nearby and experience the benefits of its life-enhancing light delivery.
Testimonials
References
- Blue Light and Digital Screens. (2019).
- BluBlocker Sunglasses: A major vision breakthrough. BluBlocker https://www.blublocker.com/.
- How technology is killing our eyes | Daniel Georgiev | TEDxVarna - YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN30fO2I2aU.
- How Мonitors Destroyed our Eyes? | IrisTech. 💡👨💻 Iris - Software for Eye protection, Health and Productivity 🛌👀 https://iristech.co/pwm-flicker/ (2015).
- Sustainable Eye Health Pty Ltd. http://sustainableeyehealthptyltd.com.au/.
- LightSafe - A Vision for Safer Illumination. http://lightsafe.com.au/.
- Ayaki, M. et al. Protective effect of blue-light shield eyewear for adults against light pollution from self-luminous devices used at night. Chronobiol. Int. 7.
- Shechter, A. Blocking nocturnal blue light for insomnia_ A randomized controlled trial. J. Psychiatr. Res. 7 (2018).
- Blue Blocker Glasses as a Countermeasure for Alerting Effects of Evening Light-Emitting Diode Screen Exposure in Male Teenagers. J. Adolesc. Health 7 (2015).
- Roenneberg, T. & Merrow, M. The Circadian Clock and Human Health. Curr. Biol. 26, R432–R443 (2016).
- Kids are spending less time outdoors — and it's causing short-sightedness. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-02/short-sightedness-epidemic-as-people-spend-less-time-outside/8318882 (2017).