Which Glasses Protect Your Eyes?

glasses for screen protection

if you’ve ever worried about the effect of digital screens on your eyes, then you may have heard about ‘blue light’, and perhaps even searched for ways to protect your eyes against it. blue light glasses (or blue light blocking glasses) are becoming more popular than ever due to claims that they can protect your eyes against potential damage — but how effective are they at keeping your eyes healthy?

blue light glasses (sometimes called blue light blocking glasses) are glasses that contain lenses specifically designed to reduce the amount of blue light that reaches the eye. these lenses filter blue light rays to help prevent them from entering your eye and causing potential damage. usually, blue light lenses have a slight yellow tint (to counterbalance the blue light), but you can’t usually notice this.

• computers, tablets, smartphones and other digital screens all emit blue light.
• blue light has a short wavelength, which makes it very easy for it to penetrate the eyes.
• this means that almost all visible blue light rays can pass through the cornea and lens to the retina (the lining of the back of the eye).
• while blue light blocking glasses are effective at reducing the amount of blue light that enter the eyes, there is no current research to suggest that this can improve or protect the health of your eyes.
• put simply, there is no scientifically-proven benefit of wearing blue light blocking glasses for your eye health.

as the college of optometrists states: ‘the best scientific evidence currently available does not support the use of blue-blocking spectacle lenses in the general population to improve visual performance, alleviate the symptoms of eye fatigue or visual discomfort, improve sleep quality or conserve macula health.’

digital eye strain and screen-use glasses

around 80% of americans use digital devices for at least 2 hours a day, according to the vision council. and 2 hours of use every day is all it takes to experience digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome (cvs).

it is a good idea to wear glasses that provide eye protection from computer screens but there are 5 other things you can do on top of this:

• light it right – your digital screen should be as bright as your immediate surrounding environment, which could mean adjusting the brightness and contrast of your screen and reducing the internal lighting.
• get rid of glare – glare occurs when light reflects off your screen, so try to reduce this by turning the front of your screen away from windows and using an anti-glare screen.
• size up your screen – larger screens help prevent eye strain but they should also be viewed from the correct distance, for example, your computer screen should be placed 20–26 inches away from your eyes.
• take a break – give your eyes a rest every 20 minutes for 20 seconds by focusing on something 20 feet away.
• moisturize – staring at a screen reduces how often you blink and blinking helps keep your eyes lubricated, so pause every 20 minutes to slowly blink 10 times and if necessary use hydrating eye drops.

some people may consider getting blue light glasses because of claims that they can help to reduce eye strain when using digital devices. however, there is not enough research evidence to suggest that blue light causes digital eye strain in the first place. when using digital screens, eye strain can occur for a number of reasons.

• if you spend too long concentrating and looking at a screen, then your eyes can become fatigued.
• also, your eyes have to shift focus constantly while looking at screens, and sitting too close can strain your eye muscles as they try to focus on such a close image.
• if you wear glasses, glare reflected onto your digital screen or glasses lenses from surrounding light sources (such as bright office lights, or a nearby window) can also cause your eyes to squint and strain.
• the majority of times, eye fatigue is due to digital eye strain, and blue light damage is rare, if it occurs at all.

ultraclear superclean lens features a specialist anti-reflection treatment that helps to reduce reflections on your glasses lenses and limit screen glare. they are also smudge and scratch resistant, which help to give you an overall clearer view of your screen.

superdigital lenses have been designed with digital screens in mind. the near zone even caters for the closer, higher position we hold our mobile phone, and they also include our ultraclear superclean help to reduce the effects of screen glare.

computer glasses and occupational glasses

working at a monitor is hard work for your eyes. working on a computer means constantly having to adjust your vision — whether you're looking at one or several monitors, your surroundings or your colleagues working nearby. not only is this tiring for your eyes, but it also causes tension in your neck and shoulders. computer glasses that have been specially designed for working with monitors can help relieve some of this tension and help you to avoid any vision-related issues while working on your computer.

the special feature of vdu spectacles is the distance for which they have been optimised. normally, the lens is designed for a viewing distance of approximately 30cm (reading distance) to correct presbyopia. a screen is usually about 50 cm – 80 cm away from the human eye.

• computer glasses, also called occupational glasses or screen glasses, are glasses that have been specially designed to meet the needs of wearers working with vdus.
• while normal glasses (reading glasses) are designed for a viewing distance of around 30 cm, computer glasses have lenses designed for multiple visual fields, allowing the wearer to see screens from a distance of 50 to 80 cm away and view their surroundings comfortably.
• these glasses allow wearers to see small details on their monitors more easily, as well as their keyboard, mouse and the people around them.
• this relieves strain on the eyes and ensures better ergonomics and more comfortable working.

occupational glasses feature specially manufactured lenses. they are ground in such a way that they are ideal for the viewing distances typically associated with working at a computer, making this kind of work much more ergonomic.

• the wearer's usual reading prescription is located in the lower part of the lens.
• the prescription gets gradually weaker towards the top of the lens, allowing wearers to see clearly up to a distance of two metres.
• the transition between the visual fields is very gradual.
• the lenses in occupational glasses also have anti-reflection properties and feature a blue light filter.

when working on a computer, light enters the eyes from a variety of different directions. lenses should be equipped with an anti-reflective coating to avoid any restrictions on the wearer's vision.

• the anti-reflective coating is a special layer that is applied to the inside and outside of the lenses by means of vapour deposition.
• it significantly reduces reflections on the surfaces of the lenses.
• what's more, it looks great and increases light transmission.

sunglasses and uv protection

sunglasses are more than a summer accessory. sunglasses are essential eye wear in all seasons of the year.

when buying sunglasses, don't settle for partial protection. look for a sticker or tag that promises 100% uv protection from all types of uv light. some labels say “uv absorption up to 400nm,” which is also acceptable.

• not only are oversize sunglasses in style, they also offer the largest shield from sun damage.
• wraparound-style sunglasses offer even more protection by preventing uv rays from entering along the sides.
• when looking for sunglasses, don’t be fooled into thinking the darker the lens, the more they'll protect your eyes from the sun.
• only sunglasses with 100% uv protection provide the safety you need.

our eyes are up to 10 times more sensitive to uv damage than our skin. by wearing sunglasses with 100% uva and uvb protection, you can help shield your eyes from harmful rays and preserve your vision.

• reduces eye strain and fatigue. bright sunlight can cause you to squint and strain your eyes. this can lead to discomfort as well as headaches
• acts as a guard for your eyes. as well as protecting your eyes from sunlight, sunglasses can help keep out dust, sand and wind
• improves visual clarity. sunglasses can help you to see better in bright conditions by reducing glare and improving contrast.
• helpful for post-surgery recovery. if you have had eye surgery such as cataracts removal, your eyes are likely to be more sensitive to light. uv sunglasses can help with recovery by shielding your eyes from excessive brightness and irritations

uv protection levels - the level of uv protection provided by sunglasses can vary from pair to pair. you can also check that your sunglasses meet the international standard of iso 12312-1:2013 (en)

tinted lenses - although tinted lenses won’t affect the level of uv protection, adding a coloured tint can help reduce eye strain and glare, as well as improve contrast and enhance depth awareness

polarized, colored, and impact-protection lenses

polarized lenses reduce the glare bouncing off reflective surfaces such as water or roads. polarization itself does not provide uv protection. instead, it provides a better experience for certain activities like driving, boating, or golfing. that said, some polarized lenses come with a uv-blocking finish. check the label of your polarized sunglasses to make sure they provide maximum uv protection.

• sunglasses with colored lenses (such as amber or gray) won’t necessarily block out more sun than other lenses.
• brown or rose-colored lenses provide extra contrast, which is helpful to athletes who play sports such as golf or baseball.
• mirror finishes or metallic coatings may reduce the amount of light entering your eyes.
• but they won't fully protect you from uv light.
• be sure to select sunglasses that offer 100% protection.

in the u.s., all sunglasses must meet food and drug administration impact safety standards. while no lens is truly unbreakable, plastic lenses are less likely than glass lenses to shatter. most nonprescription lenses are made from some type of plastic.

for sports, polycarbonate sunglasses may be helpful because they can withstand stronger impacts than regular plastic lenses. just be sure to get a scratch-resistant coating. uncoated polycarbonate lenses tend to scratch easily.

blue blocking lenses for glare and macular conditions

glare is the visual discomfort caused by too much light. some macular conditions can make glare more of a problem and some people become very sensitive to light. other reasons include cataracts, which scatter light as it enters the eye.

ultraviolet light (uv) comes from the sun and is invisible to the human eye. uv light can cause sunburn and eye damage.

it is important to protect your eyes from uv light to prevent further damage but unfortunately you cannot reverse any damage that has already been done. encourage everyone you know to have regular eye tests and wear hats and sunglasses. reflections from sand, snow and water increase the effects of uv light.

• blue blocking lenses are filters that protect your eyes from both uv and blue light that causes glare.
• traditional sunglasses make things look darker.
• many people with macular disease find this reduces their level of vision, making it harder to see steps or other hazards.
• sunglasses generally do not protect the eyes against the sun's blue light, which can also damage the eyes.
• blue blocking lenses protect your eyes from blue light.
• they also reduce glare without making everything darker.

blue light tends to make things hazy, so blue blocking lenses can sharpen images. these lenses are usually yellow or orange, although other tints can be added to improve their appearance.

paler yellow lenses are good for indoor use because they work well in artificial light, while a range of shades can be suitable for outdoor use depending on the lighting conditions.

ordinary prescription glasses can also be made with blue blocking filters.

there are no british or european standards for blue blocking lenses, so buy from a reputable company, or ask your optometrist or optician for advice.

protective eyewear at work

eye protection at work isn’t limited to computer glasses. if you work in industries such as construction or manufacturing, you also need to wear appropriate protective eyewear, such as goggles and safety glasses with side shields, where appropriate.

tinted lenses provide effective protection against glare in areas with high light intensity (for example, sunlight)

• constant tinting:
• available in brown or grey tinting levels: 15%, 25%, 65%, 75%
• variable tinting – variomatic™
• lenses tint automatically, depending on the intensity of the uv radiation and temperature
• tinting of approx. 8% to 80% in brown available on polycarbonate and trivex™ prescription safety lenses