There's one easy solution to help protect your vision: blue light glasses. These have become quite popular lately, but what exactly do they do? And more importantly, do you actually need them? Let's take a look at what these glasses are all about.

What Are Blue Light Glasses?

Blue light glasses filter or block the blue light that comes from digital screens. This blue light is a high-energy light that's in sunlight, LED bulbs and all your digital devices like phones, tablets, computers and TVs. The special coating on these glasses reduces how much blue light actually reaches your eyes.

You might notice these glasses often look slightly yellow or amber, though newer versions can appear completely clear. The tint that’s applied to lenses is what filters out the blue light. Some glasses block just a little blue light, while others block almost all.

Understanding Blue Light and Its Effects

Here's the thing about blue light: It's not all bad. Natural blue light from the sun actually helps keep your sleep schedule on track and can make you feel more alert during the day. The problem happens when you get artificial blue light from screens, especially in the evening.

When you scroll through your phone or watch TV before bed, that blue light can trick your brain into thinking it's still daytime. When that happens, your body stops making melatonin, the hormone that makes you sleepy. That's why it's harder to fall asleep after a binge-watching marathon.

Some people also get what's called digital eyestrain from too much screen time. Think of issues like dry eyes, blurry vision, headaches or that achy feeling in your neck and shoulders. Blue light might play a part, but so do things like screen glare, hunching over your device and forgetting to blink while you're focused on the screen.

Benefits Blue Light Glasses May Provide

People who try blue light glasses notice different things, and results vary from person to person. Some find it easier to fall asleep after using their tablet or phone in the evening. If you love reading on your device or checking emails before bed, these glasses might help keep your sleep schedule normal.

Others feel less eyestrain during long video calls with family or while playing games on their tablet. Cutting down on harsh blue light can make screen time more comfortable.

Some folks also get fewer headaches when wearing blue light glasses. Blue light glasses won't cure every headache, but they might help if your headaches are connected to eyestrain or messed-up sleep from evening screen time.

Do You Actually Need Blue Light Glasses?

This really depends on you and what you're dealing with. Think about your screen habits and how you feel after using your mobile phone or tablet. If you are always on your phone or tablet in the evening and then toss and turn trying to fall asleep, blue light glasses could be worth a shot.

Pay attention to how your eyes feel after lots of screen time. Are your eyes tired or dry? Are you getting headaches? While blue light glasses might help ease that discomfort, don't forget about other things like how bright your screen is, how close you're sitting to it and whether you're taking breaks.

Your sleep quality also matters. If evening screen time keeps you up or makes you sleep poorly, filtering blue light to avoid exposure could help. Alternatively, putting your devices away an hour before bed also works well.

Other Ways to Reduce Blue Light Exposure

Blue light glasses aren't your only option. Most modern electronic devices now have built-in blue light filters or night mode settings that automatically kick in during evening hours. Check your phone or tablet settings. You might already have this feature.

You can also change up your screen habits to find a solution that works. Try dimming screens in the evening, making text bigger so you don't strain to read and following the 20-20-20 rule. With this rule, for every 20 minutes looking at a device screen, you look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Consider swapping digital devices for books or magazines in your assisted living apartment before bed. Many residents find a relaxing evening routine without screens helps them sleep better anyway.

Making the Right Choice for You

Blue light glasses are pretty affordable, so if you're curious, why not give them a go? Just don't expect them to solve every screen-related problem or sleep issue you might have.

Before you buy a pair, think about chatting with your eye doctor about your screen habits and any concerns. They can help you figure out if blue light glasses make sense for your situation and suggest other ways to keep your eyes healthy.

Taking care of your eyes involves more than just managing blue light anyway. Regular eye exams, good lighting when you're reading a book or using devices and giving your eyes breaks from close-up work all help keep your vision comfortable as you stay connected with family and enjoy everything the digital world has to offer.