Month: April 2020

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Blue light: How it’s both bad and good for your eyes

Blue light is the visible light spectrum with the shortest wavelength and highest energy, and similar to ultraviolet rays, blue light has both benefits and dangers. Here are seven important things you should know about blue light:

Blue light is the visible light spectrum with the shortest wavelength and highest energy, and similar to ultraviolet rays, blue light has both benefits and dangers. Here are seven important things you should know about blue light:

1. Blue light is everywhere

Sunlight is the main source of blue light, and being outdoors during daylight is where most of us get maximum exposure to blue light. But there are also many man-made, indoor sources of blue light, including fluorescent and LED lighting and flat-screen televisions.

Most notably, the display screens of computers, electronic notebooks, smartphones and other digital devices emit significant amounts of blue light.

The amount of HEV light these devices emit is only a fraction of that emitted by the sun. But the amount of time people spend using these devices and the proximity of these screens to the user’s eyes, is a cause of concern for many eye doctors and other health care professionals.

2. HEV light rays make the sky look blue

The short-wavelength, high-energy light rays on the blue end of the visible light spectrum scatter more easily than other visible light rays when they strike air and water molecules in the atmosphere. The higher degree of scattering of these rays makes the cloudless sky look blue.

3. The eye is not very good at blocking blue light

Anterior structures of the adult human eye (the cornea and lens) are very effective at blocking UV rays from reaching the light-sensitive retina at the back of the eyeball. In fact, less than one percent of UV radiation from the sun reaches the retina, if you aren’t wearing sunglasses.

(Remember, that sunglasses that block 100 percent of UV are essential to protect these and other parts of the eye from damage that could lead to cataracts and even cancer.)

On the other hand, virtually all visible blue light passes through the cornea and lens and reaches the retina.

4. Blue light exposure may increase the risk of macular degeneration

The fact that blue light penetrates all the way to the retina (the inner lining of the back of the eye) is important, because laboratory studies have shown that too much exposure to blue light can damage light-sensitive cells in the retina.

This causes changes that resemble those of macular degeneration, which can lead to permanent vision loss.

Many eye care providers are concerned that the added blue light exposure from computer screens, smartphones and other digital devices might increase a person’s risk of macular degeneration later in life. More research is needed, though, to determine how much natural and man-made blue light is “too much blue light” for the retina.

5. Blue light contributes to digital eye strain

Because short-wavelength, high energy blue light scatters more easily than other visible light, it is not as easily focused. When you’re looking at computer screens and other digital devices that emit significant amounts of blue light, this unfocused visual “noise” reduces contrast and can contribute to digital eye strain.

Research has shown that lenses that block blue light with wavelengths less than 450 nm (blue-violet light) increase contrast significantly. Therefore, computer glasses with yellow-tinted lenses may increase comfort when you’re viewing digital devices for extended periods of time.

6. Blue light protection may be even more important after cataract surgery

If you have cataracts and are about to have cataract surgery, ask your surgeon what type of intraocular lens (IOL) will be used to replace your cloudy natural lens, and how much blue light protection the IOL provides.

After cataract surgery you might benefit from eyeglasses that have lenses with a special blue light filter — especially if you spend long hours in front of a computer screen or using other digital devices.

7. Not all blue light is bad

So, is all blue light bad for you?

It’s well documented that some blue light exposure is essential for good health. Research has shown that high-energy visible light boosts alertness, helps memory and cognitive function and elevates mood.

In fact, light therapy is used to treat seasonal effective disorder — which is a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons. Its symptoms usually begin in autumn and continue through winter. The light sources for this therapy emit bright white light that contains a significant amount of HEV blue light rays.

Also, blue light is very important in regulating circadian rhythm — the body’s natural wakefulness and sleep cycle.

Exposure to blue light during daytime hours helps maintain a healthful circadian rhythm. But too much blue light late at night (reading a novel on a tablet computer or e-reader at bedtime, for example) can disrupt this cycle, potentially causing sleepless nights and daytime fatigue.

Blue light filters and protective eyewear

If you are using your phone constantly — especially if you use it primarily for texting, emailing and web browsing — a convenient way to reduce your blue light exposure is to use a blue light filter.

Digital electronic devices emit blue light that can cause eye strain and may lead to eye problems over time.

These filters are available for smartphones, tablets, and computer screens and prevent significant amounts of blue light emitted from these devices from reaching your eyes without affecting the visibility of the display. Some are made with thin tempered glass that also protects your device’s screen from scratches. As mentioned above, computer glasses also can be helpful to reduce blue light exposure from computers and other digital devices.

Also, a number of lens manufacturers have introduced special glare-reducing anti-reflective coatings that also block blue light from both natural sunlight and digital devices.

Ask your eye doctor or optician about which type of vision correction and lens features best suit your needs for viewing your computer and other digital devices and protecting your eyes from blue light.

Blue light filters and protective eyewear

If you are using your phone constantly — especially if you use it primarily for texting, emailing and web browsing — a convenient way to reduce your blue light exposure is to use a blue light filter.

Digital electronic devices emit blue light that can cause eye strain and may lead to eye problems over time.

These filters are available for smartphones, tablets, and computer screens and prevent significant amounts of blue light emitted from these devices from reaching your eyes without affecting the visibility of the display. Some are made with thin tempered glass that also protects your device’s screen from scratches. As mentioned above, computer glasses also can be helpful to reduce blue light exposure from computers and other digital devices.

Also, a number of lens manufacturers have introduced special glare-reducing anti-reflective coatings that also block blue light from both natural sunlight and digital devices.

Ask your eye doctor or optician about which type of vision correction and lens features best suit your needs for viewing your computer and other digital devices and protecting your eyes from blue light.

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Computer eye strain: 10 tips for relief

For most people, computer eye strain — eye discomfort, headache and vision problems from viewing digital screens for extended periods — is a fact of life.

Other symptoms of too much time spent staring at digital screens include eye twitching and red eyes.

The Vision Council has found that 59 percent of people who routinely use digital devices symptoms of computer eye strain (also called digital eye strain).

Thankfully, there is something you can do about it.

Here are 10 easy steps to make time in front of your digital screens more comfortable and reduce your risk of computer eye strain:

1. Get a comprehensive eye exam

Having a routine comprehensive eye exam is the most important thing you can do to prevent or treat computer vision problems. If you haven’t had an eye exam in over a year, consult an eye doctor near you.

During your exam, be sure to tell your doctor how often you use a computer at work and at home.

Also, measure how far your eyes are from your screen when you sit at your computer, and bring this measurement to your exam. Your eye doctor can then prescribe the best lenses for seeing clearly and comfortably at that distance.

2. Use proper lighting

Digital eye strain can be caused by excessively bright light either from outdoor sunlight coming in through a window or from harsh interior lighting.

Reduce exterior light by closing window shades or blinds. Reduce interior lighting by using fewer light bulbs lower intensity bulbs and tubes. If possible, position your computer so windows are to your side, instead of being in front of or behind your screen.

If possible, avoid working under bright fluorescent lights. Instead use a floor or table lamp that provides softer, indirect lighting.

Generally, “soft white” LED light bulbs (color temperature: 2700 K) will be more comforting on your eyes than “daylight” or “cool white” bulbs with higher color temperature ratings.

3. Minimize glare

Glare from light reflecting back from your screen or other surfaces in the room can contribute to computer eye strain. Install an anti-glare screen protector; and, if possible, paint bright or reflective walls a more soothing color with a matte finish.

If you wear glasses, purchase lenses with anti-reflective (AR) coating. AR coating reduces glare by minimizing the amount of light reflecting off the front and back surfaces of your eyeglass lenses.

4. Upgrade your display

If you are working on an older computer, consider upgrading to a new device with the latest, high-resolution screen technology. Adjust the brightness of the screen to a comfortable level (about the same brightness as your surroundings).

Also, consider purchasing a device with a larger screen for easier viewing.

5. Adjust your computer display settings

Adjusting the display settings of your computer can help reduce eye strain and fatigue. Generally, these adjustments are beneficial:

  • Brightness. Adjust the brightness of the display so it’s approximately the same as the brightness as your surroundings. As a test, look at the white background of this web page. If it looks like a light source, it’s too bright. If it seems dull and gray, it may be too dark.
  • Text size and contrast. Adjust the text size and contrast for comfort, especially when reading or composing long documents. Usually, black print on a white background is the best combination for comfort.
  • Color temperature. If possible, use your display settings to reduce the color temperature of your screen. This will reduce the amount of blue light emitted by your screen for better long-term viewing comfort.

6. Blink more often

Blink frequently (and fully) to remoisten the surface of your eyes and avoid dry eye symptoms.

Studies show that people blink only about one-third as often as they normally do when viewing the screens on their computers and other digital devices. This leads to dry eyes, fluctuating vision, and eye discomfort.

To reduce your risk of dry eyes during computer use, train yourself to blink after reading every two or three paragraphs on your screen. Also, keep a bottle of artificial tears handy and use it frequently if your eyes start feeling dry.

7. Exercise your eyes

Another cause of computer eye strain is focusing fatigue. To reduce eye fatigue from focusing constantly on your screen, start using the “20-20-20” rule: Every 20 minutes, look away from your screen and fix your eyes on something at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This will help relax the focusing muscle inside your eyes and reduce eye fatigue.

Also, use the 20-20-20 rule to remind yourself to blink frequently (and apply eye drops if needed).

8. Take frequent breaks

To reduce your risk of headaches and neck, back and shoulder pain associated with computer use, get up and away from your screen at least every 30 minutes. Move about and stretch your arms, legs, back, neck and shoulders to reduce tension and muscle fatigue.

Just a few minutes of this activity every 30 minutes can improve your posture and make you feel less fatigued.

9. Modify your workstation

If you need to look back and forth between a printed page and your computer screen, place the page(s) on a copy stand adjacent to the monitor.

Position your computer screen 20 to 24 inches from your eyes. The center of your screen should be about 10 to 15 degrees below your eyes for comfortable positioning of your head and neck.

Also, adjust your chair so your feet can rest comfortably on the floor.

10. Consider computer glasses

Consult your eye doctor to see if you could benefit from computer glasses.

Computer glasses can be especially helpful if normally you wear bifocals or progressive lenses, which provide only a relatively limited viewing zone to see your computer screen.

Also, consider photochromic lenses or lightly tinted lenses for computer work to reduce your exposure to potentially harmful blue light emitted by digital devices. Discuss this risk with your eye doctor.

Finally, if you spend long hours in front of a screen, wearing computer glasses or other eyeglasses can be much more comfortable than wearing contact lenses, which can sometimes dry out from sustained computer work. Consider wearing glasses during screen time, and your contacts the rest of the day.

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Frustrated of foggy glasses when Wearing Masks & Eyeglasses together?

Here are 7 ways to avoid foggy glasses!!

While face masks help us avoid unknowingly transmit Coronavirus, millions of eyeglass wearers are discovering and being troubled by the nuisance of mask-induced foggy lenses.
With the World Health Organisation(WHO) recommending face masks to curb the spread of Coronavirus, fogged-up glasses are a problem affecting a large chunk of the population. What can you do about your fogged-up glasses?

Let’s understand why our lenses fog-up.

Body heat and air flow lead to foggy lenses. When you are wearing a face mask, you repeatedly breathe out warm air. This air then can sneak out of the top of your mask and steam up the lenses of your glasses. A face mask usually directs much of the exhaled air upwards. Of course, this can make it difficult for you to see.

The “misting” of lenses happens when warm water vapour from your breath lands on the cooler lenses, producing tiny droplets that scatter light and reduce the lenses’ ability to transmit contrast (when light colours remain light and dark colours remain dark). The droplets form because of the inherent surface tension between the water molecules.

Now that you know why your lenses fog up, let’s review ways to prevent this fog.

7 ways to avoid foggy glasses

1. Soapy water and lenses

Before slipping on a face mask, you should wash the lenses of your glasses or sunglasses with soapy water and shake off the excess moisture. Then, let your glasses dry or gently dry the lenses with a clean microfiber cloth.

Using this method, the lenses shouldn’t fog up once you put on the mask and glasses. Why? Cleaning the lenses with soapy water leaves a thin film that reduces the “inherent surface tension” and prods the water molecules to form a transparent layer.

To avoid damage, don’t clean your lenses with products like baby shampoo, toothpaste or shaving cream.

2. Seal the mask

A common trick employed by doctors involves sticking a piece of double-sided tape across the bridge of the nose before putting on a mask.

You can also place an additional piece of cellophane or masking tape over the mask.

3. Wear a well-fitted mask

A loose-fitting mask lets exhaled air head toward your glasses, but a snugly fitting mask can shoot that air out of the bottom or sides of the mask away from your glasses. For a better fit, look for masks equipped with mouldable pieces around the nose (such as a metal strip) or masks that come in various sizes. If the mask is well-fitted, it will dramatically help to prevent the amount of warm air that can reach the lenses. If you’ve crafted your own cloth mask, create a seal around the nose by inserting a mouldable item into the upper part of the mask. This could be a paper clip, pipe cleaner, twist tie or folded piece of aluminium foil.

4. Glass adjustments

If your glasses have nose pads, you can tweak the pads so that the frames sit slightly farther from your face.

This will allow that warm air to escape instead of getting trapped between your face and the lenses of the glasses.

Altering the nose pads may slightly change your vision if you wear glasses with progressive lenses or lenses with a strong prescription. If that happens, you might need to hold your head at a different angle to compensate for the vision change.

5. Try de-fogging products

Applying over-the-counter anti-fogging sprays, waxes and gels to your lenses before putting on your glasses can quickly disperse tiny fog droplets when you’re wearing a mask.

Some work better with different body chemistry, so you may need to try a few brands to see which one works best for you.

6. Downward breathing

Well, it might be awkward, but breathing downward can be a quick ant-fog fix, this sends the air away from your glasses.

How do you breathe downward? Hold your upper lip over your lower lip. Then blow air downward, as if you’re playing a flute.

7. Look out for anti-fog lenses

This won’t fix your foggy-lens problem right away, but you might consider buying lenses with an anti-fog coating. An anti-fog coating gives you a hassle-free answer to foggy lenses, regardless of whether the obstructed vision is triggered by a face mask or something else.