Blue Light Glasses: Does Your Child Really Need Them?

We all spend a majority of our adult lives in front of a screen. Whether that’s a smartphone, a television or of course, a computer. In the golden age of information and technology, this is inevitable. We need smartphones, televisions and computers to work, entertain ourselves and sometimes even to perform basic necessities like pay bills, scan barcodes and interact with our loved ones. But what about children? Understanding Blue Light Glasses for Children While kids don’t work, they still consume entertainment. Moreover, as we’ve learned from this recent pandemic, screens have also become a part of our children’s education. Their lives are consistently being bombarded with screens. And chances are as parents, you're worried if this is harming them. Or more specifically, their eyes. But fear not. You can consider a pair of blue-light filter glasses. Perfect for protecting your eyes against those harmful blue light of smartphone and computer screens. But is there any truth to these claims? That’s what we’re here to find out. What Are Blue Light Glasses Blue light glasses have been called a bunch of names: blue-light-blocking glasses, blue-light filter glasses. But for brevity’s sake, we shall call them blue light glasses (or BLGs for short). Now, before we can even get to what BLGs actually are, we first need to understand what the term 'blue light' actually means. Blue light is a wavelength that naturally exists in the spectrum of light. This includes both natural sunlight and artificial light produced by electronic devices. And unlike other wavelengths of light, blue light has a short wavelength. This is where scientists and experts believe the true danger lies. According to research, short-wavelength light (i.e. blue light) has been heavily associated with a greater risk for eye damage. Blue light exposure can lead to eyestrain, dryness, redness, blurry vision, headaches, and visual fatigue, collectively known as CVS (computer vision syndrome). But blue light's most concerning effect to many is disrupting sleep, hindering your body's recovery and function. Unfortunately, the main source of blue light is our electronic devices. Specifically those that have LCD screens. So, you can see now why many people have expressed interest in BLGs. By blocking the effect of blue light from computer and phone screens, you reduce your chances of experiencing these side effects. What Research Says About Blue Light Glasses Unfortunately, there is not much conclusive evidence when it comes to the efficacy of blue light glasses. Some studies support their use, while others don’t. This 2017 study didn’t find any benefits of BLGs for eyestrain, vision or sleep quality. Another study produced opposite results, where they found that BLGs did in fact improve eyestrain, eye pain and itching. On the other hand, this 2021 study showed some promising and positive results when it comes to BLGs. Particularly for promoting good sleep, or at the very least reducing the time someone would need to fall asleep. So it may be beneficial for adults (and children) who have trouble falling and staying asleep as a result of excessive screen use. As for things like eyestrain, eye dryness, eye pain, blurry vision etc., BLGs don’t seem to be effective at all. Does Your Kid Need Blue Light Glasses Now that the MCOs have ended and online learning is no longer necessary, children can go back to physical classrooms without any screens. Right? Perhaps, perhaps not. It can be surprising for some parents to hear but in recent days, many schools have implemented e-learning. This means that your child can’t escape screens. They may have to do their homework on a computer or read slides on a tablet. Or their textbooks may even all be digital e-books. This is rare, of course, but if it’s happening to your child, then you may need to intervene. Especially if they use devices for recreational purposes as well i.e. video games, television programmes, social media, etc. But are blue light glasses really the answer? Well, that’s a question only you as their parents would know the answer to. Some children have had great success with BLGs. Others, not so much. It could all be placebo at the end of the day. Or there could be more unexplained factors at work. If you want buy prescription BLGs, answering these questions may be able to help you make the right decision for your kids: Do they spend more than 5 hours a day in front of a screen? Do they frequently use their digital devices in the evening before bedtime? Do they frequently use their digital devices in the dark? Do they use digital devices every day? Do they use digital devices at school or at home to do homework? If you answered 'Yes' to most of these questions, then perhaps it is time to get your child a pair of blue light glasses. That aside, there are actually better ways to protect their vision and make sure they don’t suffer the consequences of excessive screen time. The most popular way is to implement the 20-20-20 rule. Simply look away from your screen at a faraway object about 20 feet away for about 20 seconds. Another way is to introduce or increase your child’s diet of eye-boosting superfoods. Glasses Don’t Necessarily Solve the Problem At the end of the day, blue light filter glasses can be considered like a Band-Aid. Considering your child will inevitably spend most of their adult lives in front of a screen anyway. In this case, you don’t want to 'Start them young'. Whether or not you decide to get a pair of blue light glasses for your child, you can think about cultivating healthy screen use in the family. This includes discouraging excessive recreational screen time, planning a lot of outdoor family activities and exploring their interests and talents out in the real world. After all, there is so much more to life than what’s shown on a screen. You've got this, parents! Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner. For more insightful stories and fun recipes, stay tuned to Motherhood Story!

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