The inevitable tool for everyday eye protection

September is the month we're speaking all about eye health. As promised in the last blog, we’re back with a second part of the How to keep your eyes healthy in a 24/7 artificial light environment.

Many times on this blog you learned about lifestyle practices on how and why you should protect your health and body temple from artificial man-made light. Before we built this brand, VivaRays, we utilized all these practices and we live by circadian rhythmic rules from nature. Still, something felt missing… And that’s OK because, even though we believe in the great power of nature, nature today is overpowered by man-made tech. So sometimes, you have to "supplement".

In a modern world with tech being omnipresent, you can’t beat “the devil” except to create your own, so-called “tech”. That’s the truth we should accept at this point in human civilization or, better say, digitization. 

So, in this LightEdu, you’ll learn how certain tool can support your inner light environment. The tool that is also designed to beat the outer, artificial light that is harming your eyes. 
And, if you're reading this article it’s from the screen that emits bad light which means - you can't avoid it. But you can still do something about it!

The tool

Blue light-blocking glasses known as Light Harmonizing Glasses that we create, are the tool that protects your eyes, and thus your entire body. Learn why they may be an inevitable tool in your day-to-day interaction with technology, and how to choose glasses that actually do what you expect from them. 
Open your perspectives and let’s dive in together👇🏻

How do blue light-blocking glasses work?

But before you consider them, you want to find out how they work and to what extent they are protective.

Blue light-blocking glasses work by filtering out certain wavelengths of light, mainly in the blue spectrum while allowing the rest of the spectrum to pass through and reach your eyes. They are designed with special coatings or materials that can absorb or reflect a portion of the blue light. The specific wavelengths of blue light that are targeted for filtration can vary depending on the type of glasses.

Depending on the typ… Oh, you heard of Computer glasses - Clear screen lenses already, but are they the same as blue blocks?🤔

What is the difference between computer glasses and blue light-blocking glasses?

Computer glasses and blue light blocking glasses serve similar purposes but differ in their design and intended use.

Computer glasses are primarily designed to alleviate digital eye strain and discomfort during prolonged computer use. They typically have lenses with a mild yellow or amber tint to filter out some blue light, along with anti-reflective coatings to minimize glare. These glasses are often prescribed based on individual vision needs, similar to reading glasses or prescription eyeglasses.

In contrast, blue light-blocking glasses are specifically engineered to block a higher percentage of blue light emitted by digital screens and artificial lighting sources, like LEDs and fluorescents. They come in various tints, including clear, yellow, orange, and red with a stronger focus on blue light filtration. Blue light-blocking glasses are available with or without prescription, catering to people with varying vision requirements. 

With all new things invented, options start to flood the market. Are all of them credible? Mass-market, one more question mark…

Are you wearing the wrong blue light glasses?

A lot of false advertising has been made in the past years about blue light blocking glasses. Unfortunately, most of the glasses that are being sold as blue light blocking glasses are not giving you the real protection you need and can even leave you worse than you were before using them.

The first big problem with these glasses is that they give you a constant spectrum of light when you wear them. Your circadian rhythm is synchronized with the light variation that occurs naturally when you are exposed to the sun. Wearing the same pair of glasses during the day and night to protect you against artificial light doesn’t give you access to these variations and makes it harder to maintain an optimal circadian rhythm.

The second big problem is that they either block too little or too much light depending on the time of the day you wear them. During the day, you need to be exposed to blue light to stay alert, focused and energized. This is a natural signal occurring from the sun letting you know that it’s daytime and triggering the release of hormones and neurotransmitters that allows you to have energy and focus for your daily tasks. If you wear glasses that block most or 100% of blue light during the day, you lack this vital signal and this can lead to fatigue, lack of focus and lethargy.

“Your circadian rhythm is synchronized with the light variation that occurs naturally when you are exposed to the sun. Wearing the same pair of glasses during the day and night to protect you against artificial light doesn’t give you access to these variations”

On the other hand, wearing a pair of glasses that do not block 100% of blue light after sunset is also problematic as blue light is no longer present after sunset in nature. As we’ve seen before, this tricks your brain into thinking that it’s daytime and can lead to insomnia, hormonal imbalances and lack of motivation and fatigue the next morning.

That’s where Light Harmonizing or Circadian Glasses come in. They are designed to harmonize the light that comes to your eyes according to the circadian rhythm. 
With them, both of these problems can be solved because they have a 3-in-1 solution. We’ll talk about that later in this article.

And if you already own a pair of blue light blocking glasses, check out our blog post “How to test blue light blocking glasses” to know exactly how to test if you have a high quality pair of glasses.
For a little worm of doubt…

Do blue light blocking glasses really help? 

Short answer: yes!

A high quality pair of blue light blocking glasses like those we offer at VivaRays allows you to transform the toxic spectrum emitted by artificial light into more natural and healthy light. This will limit the disruptive effect of artificial light on your circadian rhythm. The downstream effects will be more energy, deeper sleep, better hormonal balance and overall well-being. Moreover, you will experience eye comfort that you almost forgot about how it feels like since you’re exposed to bad lighting and digital tools 24/7.

Do I have to wear blue light blocking glasses all day?

You want to wear blue light blocking glasses when you are indoors and exposed to an artificial source of light whether a screen, TV, computer, LEDs, fluorescent light, etc. During the day, you need a pair that blocks around 50% of blue light at 450 nm, the most disruptive blue light wavelength emitted by artificial light. After sunset, you need a pair that blocks 100% of blue light while allowing enough green light to allow you to have enough energy and focus for your daily tasks or to socialize. Lastly, 1-2 hours before bedtime, you want to switch to a pair that block 100% of blue AND green light to maximize melatonin secretion and sleep quality. This is exactly what our Clip’N’Go 3-in-1 circadian harmonizing glasses gives you. 3 amazing light harmonizing lenses to cover day, evening and night!

Can I wear blue light blocking glasses outside?

This might be the single most asked question especially by ladies over there 🙂 You can, but you shouldn’t. Blue light blocking glasses are made to filter out a part of the spectrum from artificial light to transform it into something closer to the natural spectrum of sunlight. When you are outside, you are already exposed to the full spectrum of sunlight which is the perfect signal your body needs. Wearing blue light blocking glasses would filter out the same portion of the solar spectrum as they would with artificial light. But you want a solar spectrum for your body temple!

“Blue light blocking glasses are made to filter out a part of the spectrum from artificial light to transform it into something closer to the natural spectrum of sunlight.”

💭“Besides glasses, how can I improve my eyes health?”
This next one is quite popular in the health and wellness space right now, with a reason!

Can red light therapy help with eye health?

Red light therapy offers several noteworthy benefits for eye health. This non-invasive treatment involves exposure to low-level red or near-infrared light, which has been shown to stimulate cellular repair and regeneration. When applied to the eyes, red light therapy can help alleviate conditions like dry eyes and eye fatigue, as it promotes improved circulation and reduces inflammation. Both red and infrared light helps to optimize mitochondrial function. This increases the production of energy in the cells of the eyes which help with repair and healing. [4][5][6]

Additionally, it may support the production of collagen in the eye tissues, which can contribute to maintaining the elasticity of the eye's lens. As a natural and gentle approach, red light therapy is gaining recognition as a valuable tool in enhancing overall eye health, making it an attractive option for those seeking non-pharmaceutical solutions to common eye-related issues. You can use a number of different red light therapy options such as panels or special light bulbs or you can go for the free option and spend more time in the sun. Like any new therapy, consult your healthcare practitioner to make sure it is appropriate for you. 

“When applied to the eyes, red light therapy can help alleviate conditions like dry eyes and eye fatigue, as it promotes improved circulation and reduces inflammation.”

What can I eat to improve my vision?

Here are tips that all relate to nutrition. This knowledge gives you power over your choices to further support your eye health from the inside out.

Ensuring an adequate intake of vitamin A is crucial for maintaining optimal eye health, particularly when sourced from animal products as it's readily available in the active form, retinol. Vitamin A plays a pivotal role in preserving the clarity of the cornea and facilitating vision in low-light conditions, as it collaborates with all the light receptors in our body known as opsins.

Lutein and zeaxanthin, also classified as carotenoids, are equally vital for the well-being of the macula and retina. These compounds not only safeguard against excessive blue light exposure but also deter accelerated damage, thereby helping to prevent cataracts and the progression of advanced macular degeneration. Kale, spinach, and broccoli, along with egg yolks, peppers, and grapes, are all great sources of lutein and zeaxanthin.

The retina boasts a substantial concentration of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), an omega-3 fatty acid. DHA not only promotes healthy retinal function but also exhibits anti-inflammatory properties. It increases ocular blood flow and aids in the production of tears to ensure proper lubrication, all of which contribute to maintaining good eye health. Fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, and trout are rich sources of DHA.

Zinc also plays a crucial role in eye health, being highly concentrated in the retina and choroid. It facilitates the transport of vitamin A from the liver to the retina, aiding in the production of melanin—a protective pigment in the eyes. Insufficient zinc levels can result in poor night vision and an increased susceptibility to cataracts, underlining its significance in maintaining optimal eye function. Oysters, beef, chicken, organ meats, and dairy products are good sources of zinc.

Conclusion

Artificial light has illuminated our world and revolutionized the way we live, work, and play. However, its impact on our eye health cannot be ignored. To safeguard our vision in the digital age, we must be proactive in adopting protective measures and maintaining healthy habits. By being mindful of the types of artificial light we are exposed to and taking steps to mitigate their potential harm, we can ensure that our eyes continue to serve us well throughout our lives. 

To learn more about eye health, check out our article “how to improve your eyesight naturally”.

Lastly, choose you glasses wisely! See you in our shop. With Love, Light and Gratitude 🌞