Computer Glasses: Why Villagers Should Consider Blue Light Protection

Computer glasses are made to make screen time more comfortable. They have a prescription set for the distance of your screen, plus coatings that cut glare and filter some blue light.

Many people in The Villages use tablets, laptops and e-books every day. If your eyes feel tired, achy or dry at night, computer glasses may help.

Staying in touch with family, paying bills online and reading e-books all add up to hours of screen time.

Those hours can lead to computer vision syndrome, a common problem from long screen use.

What Is Computer Vision Syndrome?

Computer vision syndrome (CVS) is also called digital eye strain. It is a group of eye problems that come from long use of computers, tablets and phones.

A screen is harder to view than a printed page. Letters are often less sharp, contrast is lower, and glare and reflections get in the way.

Common symptoms include:

• Eye strain and tiredness

• Headaches

• Blurred vision

• Dry, itchy or red eyes

• Neck and shoulder pain

Your eyes work harder to focus on a screen. You also blink less when you stare at a device, sometimes less than half as often.

With fewer blinks, your eyes lose moisture and feel dry and irritated. See computer vision syndrome in seniors.

The Role of Blue Light

Visible light has many colors. Blue light is a short-wavelength, high-energy part of that range. The sun is the biggest source of blue light, but devices give off some too.

Blue light scatters more easily than other colors, so it is harder to focus. On a screen, this can lower contrast and add to eye strain.

No scientific evidence shows that blue light from devices damages the eye. Still, many people say filtering it helps them feel more comfortable during long screen sessions. It is one of several factors, along with glare and viewing distance.

Managing them is part of good eye care. For more on filters, see our page on blue light blocking glasses.

What Computer Glasses Do

Computer glasses are made to fit the way you view digital devices. They differ from regular eyeglasses or reading glasses in three ways.

1. Focusing power: The prescription fits the middle distance where you usually view a screen, about 20 to 26 inches. This lowers the focusing effort your eyes need.

2. Blue light filter: Most pairs have a coating that filters some of the blue light from screens. This can add comfort.

3. Anti-reflective coating: A good anti-reflective (AR) coating removes glare from overhead lights and the screen. Glare is a major cause of eye strain.

With all three, your eyes do less work at the screen.

Benefits of Blue Light Filtering

The right focusing power does most of the work. Many wearers like the blue light filter too.

• More visual comfort: The filter can raise contrast, so long screen sessions feel easier.
• Less eye strain: Many users feel less tired and achy at day’s end.
• Possible sleep benefits: Some studies suggest that blue light at night may disturb your sleep cycle by lowering melatonin. Wearing filter glasses all day will not fix sleep problems. However, cutting blue light in the evening may help some people.

This is also part of caring for your vision and eye health.

Do You Need a Special Prescription for Computer Glasses?

Yes. Computer glasses work best with a prescription set for your screen distance. Even if you do not normally wear glasses, a non-prescription pair with a blue light filter and AR coating may help.

For most people over 40 with presbyopia, prescription computer glasses work best. Presbyopia is the normal loss of near focus with age. You have two main choices:

• Single vision computer glasses: These give the clearest, widest view of the screen. You must take them off to see far away.
• Office progressive lenses: These are made for near and middle distances. They work well when you switch between desk papers and the screen. Your everyday progressives have a middle zone, but an office lens has a much larger one.

A complete eye exam is the first step. Your eye doctor will ask about your screen habits and set the right prescription. Our page on eyeglass lenses covers more choices.

Habits That Cut Digital Eye Strain

A few habits also lower strain.

• The 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. The American Optometric Association recommends this to relax your eye muscles.

• Workstation setup: Place the top of your screen at or just below eye level, so you look slightly down.

• Blink often: Blink fully and often to keep your eyes moist.

• Less glare: Move your screen away from windows and bright lights. A matte screen filter can also help.

Combined with the right eyewear, these steps help you keep your eyes healthy.

Is It Time for Computer Glasses?

If you spend two or more hours a day on a device and have signs of eye strain, computer glasses may suit you. They help anyone who reads, chats or relaxes on a computer, tablet or phone.

At Hindsight Eye Care, we can help you decide if prescription computer glasses are right for you.

If they are, we can make a custom pair for your screen setup. Please contact us to schedule a visit and talk about your options.