WHAT IS BLUE LIGHT?
Just as your child learns in school, sunlight is made up of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet light. When combined, it becomes the white light we see. Each of these colors has a different energy and wavelength. Red light rays have longer wavelengths and less energy, where on the other end, blue light rays have shorter wavelengths (between 380 - 500 nm) and more energy.
There are two types of blue light. Natural blue light comes from the sun. Our body uses blue light from the sun to regulate our natural circadian rhythm (sleep and wake cycles), boost alertness, elevate your mood, and improve your overall feeling of wellbeing. Artificial blue light comes from digital screens like TVs, computers, smart phones, iPads, fluorescent and LED lights.
BLUE LIGHT EXPOSURE ?
Because blue light waves are one of the shortest, strongest energy wavelengths in visible light spectrum, they can penetrate your eye easily and directly reach the retina. Our eyes do not have enough natural filters to protect against artificial blue light, especially in children. This can cause eye strain, physical and mental fatigue, headaches, dry eyes, and sleeplessness if you use electronic devices for long periods of time or sit in front of a computer all day. Some sources of artificial blue light:
Fluorescent & LED light
Flat screen LED televisions
Computer monitors & laptops
Smart phones & tablets / iPads
Other electronic devices
SCREEN TIME WITH ADULTS
As adults we’re constantly in front of a computer or looking at our smartphones, so make it a habit to always wear blue light blocking lenses when in the office or working on your computer, laptop, or phone! According to The Vision Council, about 80% of American adults report using digital devices for more than two hours per day with nearly 67% using two or more devices simultaneously, and 59% report experiencing symptoms of digital eye strain.
Blue blocker lenses reduce eye strain, headaches, and that tired feeling your eyes have when staring at a screen too long. Blocking blue light before bedtime is also a critical factor in falling asleep! Trust us, your eyes will thank you!
Another surprising fact from The Vision Council is that even though more than 70% of American adults report their child has more than two hours of screen time per day, 25% are still not concerned about the impact of digital devices on their child's developing eyes.
SCREEN TIME WITH CHILDREN
According to The Vision Council, besides playing outside, the most popular activities children engage in are playing on a digital device (23%) and watching TV (20%). Screen time happens...but make it part of your routine to encourage your kids to wear blue light blocking glasses in front of computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Computer glasses for kids reduce eye strain, headaches and tired eyes when staring at a screen too long! Using our kids' blue blocking glasses the hour before bed is also a critical factor in falling asleep. Healthy eyes and better sleep, woohoo!
REDUCE BLUE LIGHT EXPOSURE
Here are some things you can do to help reduce your blue light exposure:
Invest in AVN lenses, which are also known as blue light blocking glasses. These are available in four different sizes: toddler, junior, adult S/M, adult L/XL. These blue light lenses will help protect your eyes and reduce the amount of harmful blue light rays that reach your retina.
When staring at a digital screen, blink more often.
Take frequent breaks from staring at electronic devices, and don’t hold too close to your eyes for long periods of time.
Clean your screen. A smudge-free, dust-free screen helps reduce glare.
Change your digital device background colors from bright white to warmer colors to reduce eye strain.
