Generational differences in blue light attitudes exist, survey says

Harmful blue light protection is valued across generations, but is thought to be less urgent in Baby Boomers, according to findings from a 2017 survey of employees with vision benefits from Transitions Optical.

Millennials are most likely to say it is important that their prescription glasses have blue light protection, with 83% agreeing, compared to 75% of boomers, according to the press release.

Among employees who wear eyeglasses, one-fourth of Millennials and 37% of Boomers say they are not sure whether their current lenses have blue light protection.

One in five employees identified the sun as a source of blue light.

Research from the Vision Council reinforces high digital usage across generations, with nine out of 10 Americans using digital devices for more than 2 hours a day and more than half using two devices at the same time, according to the release.

Less than one-third of those surveyed had discussed digital device use with their eye care provider.

Wearing prescription glasses that have built-in blue light protection is agreeable for 44% versus taking other steps, like changing settings on digital devices (24%) or limiting screen time (17%).

The Baby Boomer generation is most likely to turn to their eye wear for protection (55%) versus Millennials (38%), yet they are the least likely to think they have it in their lenses.

In the survey, 41% of Millennials and 49% of Boomers said they do not have protection in their lenses.

Transitions Healthy Sight Working for You is a public education initiative established by Transitions Optical Inc. to raise awareness of the value of quality vision benefits.