Between smartphones, tablets, computers and televisions, we spend more and more time in front of our screens, on average 6 to 10 hours a day. This phenomenon is accentuated by technological advances, dematerialization, social networks and other digital tools. On average, we would use up to 4 screens per day. However, these screens emit light that is harmful to our eyes!
COMPUTER, TABLET, PHONE: GENERATORS OF HARMFUL LIGHT FOR YOUR EYES
Current artificial lighting emits blue-violet light which is toxic. INSERM researchers have indeed established the following connection: blue light is toxic to the retina in cases of AMD. This is explained by the accumulation of a compound that absorbs blue light, lipofuscin, which causes the death of retinal pigment epithelium cells.
Apart from AMD, age also plays a role in other processes: photo-activation is no longer compensated by retinal antioxidants. Retinal cells degenerate and simultaneously lead to the death of associated photoreceptors (source: Essilor and Wing&al IOVS 1978).
Our body translates this harmfulness very well: 75% of screen users complain of discomfort, pain, blurred vision, eye stinging and glare. This high-intensity light - which is 15 times more harmful to the retina than other radiations emitted in the visible spectrum - causes increased visual stress. This leads to various ailments such as dry eye syndrome, eye irritation, headaches and loss of attention, but also color aberrations, blurred vision and loss of contrast.
Blue light: a disruptor of the circadian cycle
An excess of blue light sends a signal to the brain interfering with the production of melatonin, thus delaying sleep and modifying the biological clock. This is why it is important not to look at screens before going to bed. Many studies have shown the correlation between lack of sleep and serious diseases such as cancer, diabetes, obesity and heart disease.
COMPUTER GLASSES: WHAT PROTECTION?
Anti-blue light glasses offer many advantages:
- Reduction of harmful blue light reaching the retina, while allowing light essential for the proper functioning of the eye and nervous system to pass through
- Improved contrast
- Reduced visual fatigue
- Reduced risk of early ocular aging, cataracts, early AMD...
- Improved sleep quality, especially if you strain your eyes before falling asleep
Which anti-blue light glasses to choose?
It is essential to have a pair of glasses that blocks these harmful wavelengths while allowing turquoise blue light to pass through, which is essential for the proper functioning of the circadian rhythm (biological clock) and the pupillary reflex.
Be careful, not all lenses take this into account! Three solutions exist:
- The anti-blue light filter: this is a surface anti-reflective treatment that will reduce the amount of blue light entering the eye but has the disadvantage of a blue-violet reflection (more pronounced than on a conventional anti-reflective treatment). A visible anti-reflective coating that can be considered unaesthetic by those around you. The perceived image is slightly dull, which, of course, increases your comfort on a screen but modifies the perception of colors, not recommended for graphic designers, professionals needing a good vision of colors on the screen…
- The anti-blue light material: this is a plastic material, a monomer that effectively filters harmful blue light without any visual or aesthetic counterpart.
- The combination of an anti-reflective filter and this anti-blue light monomer ensures optimal protection against this wavelength range.
DISCOVER VARIONET COOL BLUE + GLASSES:
To improve your comfort on the computer and protect your eyes, your online optician Varionet invites you to discover anti-blue light glasses equipped with Cool Blue + lenses.
The Cool Blue + lens combines scratch protection, exceptional transparency, easy cleaning and maximum absorption of blue light thanks to its material. And for even more comfort, it is offered with a Hightech multi-layer anti-reflective coating. In addition to protecting your eyes from premature aging, it will reduce your visual fatigue and even allow you to sleep better.
Ask our Varionet opticians for advice on the best anti-blue light lenses for your needs.
