Using Blue Light Glasses in The Morning

There are so many misconceptions on wearing blue light glasses. Among these are when to wear them and what to wear when. There are different types of blue light blocking glasses. Each of them has its capabilities. Knowing the difference of each type will help us correct these misunderstandings.

What are the types of blue light glasses?

These are three types of blue light blocking glasses that people can choose from:

• Blue blockers- these types of glasses can effectively block 100% of blue light (400 to 495nm). Blue blockers prevent it from passing through the lens.
• Blue/Green blockers – these types of glasses can block 100% blue light and some green light (400 to 550nm). Blue/green blockers prevent it from passing through the lens.
• Blue reducers – these types of glasses can reduce specific wavelengths. The wavelength ranges between 400 to 495nm.

There are three colors to choose from when it comes to blue light blocking glasses. You can choose between these:

• Amber-tinted lenses
• Red lenses
• Yellow-tinted lenses

When can blue light glasses be used?

Blue light glasses can be used at any time of the day. They can be used during the day, while there’s an excessive artificial light. They can also be used in the evening. The evening is when we’re exposed to more artificial light. Because of technology, we are using devices and artificial lights that jeopardize our health. These devices and artificial light emit harmful levels of blue light. Using blue light blocking glasses in the evening can protect our eyes.

Blue light blocking glasses are also used for medical and therapeutic use. People who suffer from digital eye strain use these glasses for protection.

Blue light in the morning

To entrain your body clock, you need to allow the first light to hit your eyes, ideally from the sun. The light spectrum emitted at this time of the day is needed for your circadian rhythm. This sets the condition of your body for optimal melanin secretion throughout your day.

Blue light and green light are classified as short wavelength high-energy-concentrated light. If this light hits your eyes, a signal is sent to your brain. This serves as a message to let your body know that it’s already time to wake up. Therefore, blue and green light is essential to your circadian rhythm. This allows you to have proper sleep at night and alertness in the morning.

Both blue and green light are necessary for human health if it comes from a natural source (the sun). As soon as your body receives it during daylight hours, your body feels alert and energetic. Without this, your body will feel weak. The endocrine system will be out of whack. If this happens, it can be detrimental to your wellness and health.

Why use blue light glasses in the morning?

If blue and green light are necessary during the day, then why do you need blue light blocking glasses? Here are the reasons why.

Overexposure to artificial lighting isn’t healthy

People who sit in front of a computer all day are exposed to artificial light. People who work in hospitals under intense fluorescent lights are also exposed to artificial light. People who spend their day scrolling through their smart phones are exposed to artificial light, too. All of them can be negatively impacted by blue light. This affects their well-being, mitochondrial health, and body clock.

The problem with LEDs and fluorescent lights is the intensity of the frequencies within the spectrum of blue light. This falls in the 450nm wavelength and exceeds the capability of the human eye.

Balanced blue light is good for the eyes during the day. It is balanced with red and orange spectrum that are restorative frequencies of light. LED lights and other digital devices lack these frequencies. Being overexposed to it may have negative implications to your body. It may cause anxiety, migraine, headaches, dry eyes, and more. It can also affect your circadian rhythm.

Blue light can damage the retinas

Blue light blocking glasses are very useful for wavelengths at 450nm. Good blue light blocking glasses for daytime use can block most blue light at 450nm. Zero blue light during the day isn’t good for the health. You need to make sure that you go outside in the morning to counter this. You should also go out on your lunch to get the necessary blue light level.

Blue light levels at 450nm can damage the retinas. That’s because this wavelength can penetrate the eye all the way to the back of the retina. Post 450nm wavelengths during the day is good for the eyes because it provides protection to our eyes. This also helps memory and cognitive functions. It also helps stimulate retinal ganglion cells. This stimulates our papillary reflexes and controls our body clock.

How to choose the right blue light glasses?

Clear lenses (or those with slight yellow tint) or yellow lenses are known to be the best for daytime uses. That’s because they are designed to target 450nm wavelengths and below, without affecting the beneficial wavelengths.

Using orange, red or amber lenses in the morning isn’t a good idea. These types of lenses can potentially damage your health. They can also affect your body clock.

When choosing the blue light blocking glasses:

1. Make sure that you know which blue light wavelengths are being reduced. If the highest areas aren’t in the 450nm or below, then it will be useless. It won’t be as effective as the ones that target those wavelengths.
2. Check if the frequencies above 450nm aren’t reduced. This ensures that healthy blue light levels is optimized during the day.

It’s worth to remember that if you’re working outside, then it’s safe to receive the blue light from the sun. Your body needs it. However, when you’re exposed to artificial light, then you need to be equipped with blue light glasses. This serves as your protection against the health risks blue light can cause.