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Blue light-blocking lenses reduced eye fatigue from computer use
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Blue light-blocking eyeglasses may reduce eye fatigue associated with computer use, according to a study.
Researchers evaluated the benefits of wearing short-wavelength, blue light-blocking lenses during computer work at the College of Optometry, University of Missouri-St. Louis.
A total of 36 volunteers were randomly assigned to wear low-blocking lenses, high-blocking lenses or control lenses. They all underwent a 2-hour session of continuous computer use, viewing videos or engaging in games. Identical laptops were used for all sessions.
Critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF) was measured before and after the computer task. In addition, participants were asked to answer a 15-item questionnaire rating eye strain.
Change in CFF was significantly different among groups and showed significantly less eye strain in the high-block group, indicating that high-block lenses effectively protected the eyes. Interestingly, eye strain after the computer task in these subjects was shown to be even less than at baseline.
The symptom score of the questionnaire confirmed the objective findings of CFF testing. Subjects in the high-block lenses group reported significantly fewer symptoms of eye pain, heavy eyes or itchy eyes as compared with subjects in the other groups and as compared with baseline. Vision-related symptoms, such as fatigue and difficulty in focusing images were also associated with a less positive change in score.
Though limited by the small sample size, these results provide the foundation for future work investigating the benefits of blue light-blocking lenses.
“Given the increasing number of sources of short-wavelength light in our environment, these findings have wide applicability and may inform the development of devices that modify potential hazards associated with excessive blue light exposure,” the authors concluded. – by Michela Cimberle
Disclosure: Lin reported no financial disclosures. Please see the full study for the other authors’ financial disclosures.
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