What is blue light?

Time for a quick science lesson… Blue light sits towards the UV end of the visible light spectrum and naturally comes from the sun. During the day there is an abundance of it around, even on a cloudy Autumn’s day, and this causes the body to produce hormones (like cortisol) which make us feel awake. Then in the evening, as the sun sets and blue light is significantly reduced, our bodies can begin preparing for a night of good sleep quality.

Is it bad for you?

Ever spent a long day in front of a digital screen and suffered from eye fatigue, poor sleep quality, headaches or migraines? Don’t worry. You’re not alone.

Our digital screens also emit blue light rays (although at a lower rate than the sun). As a result, if you’re working in front of a screen late in the evening, blue light can disrupt your body’s natural circadian rhythm and sleep quality.

It’s very easy for blue light to enter your eyes as it has a short wavelength. This means it can pass through your cornea and lens and into the retina. Some experts suggest this can lower eye health and damage the cells in your retina, although the research on this is insufficient at the moment.

First off, these glasses have many different names such as blue light filters, computer-use lenses, or screen glasses. To avoid confusion, at Finlay we talk about adding a blue light filter to your glasses. Applying this filter to the lenses of your glasses blocks a high percentage of blue light rays from entering your eyes. This can regulate your eyes’ daily intake of it, helping you improve sleep quality.

Current research doesn’t prove that modern digital displays emit enough blue light to be harmful. However, continuous screen time use does increase light scatter and affect our focus, so reducing our exposure to it can improve focus.

Does a blue light filter help with eye strain?

Experts are divided as the evidence is inconclusive and eye strain can occur for numerous reasons. Looking at a screen for too long can lead to eye fatigue. Sitting too closely to digital screens can cause strain in your eye muscles. Or just having the glare of your glasses reflect onto your screen can lead to squinting and eye fatigue.

No, the filter we add is a premium coating perfect for regular screen users. If you have any questions or concerns then you can always get in touch.

When a blue light coating is applied to a lens it has a very slight yellowish tint but typically you won’t notice this as it's very subtle.