Are Blue Light Glasses Worth the Hype?

Like a lot of lifestyle fads, there are a number of people who swear by blue light glasses and a number of haters who say they're nothing more than an accessory trend. So we decided to do a little digging of our own and see if these prescription-less spectacles are worth the hype.

For starters, let's unpack what these glasses really claim they're doing. This latest trend is meant to help protect our eyes from the fatigue they experience from looking at screens all day long. According to a survey conducted by the Vision Council, a whopping 60% of American adults experience "symptoms of digital eye strain." Between our workdays and our leisurely time spent on social media, the hours can really stack up, leading to symptoms that include nausea, headaches, eye pain, and trouble sleeping. And we don't know about you guys, but we're not planning on ditching our laptops or phones anytime soon, so where does that leave us? And that's the exact question that led to the blue light glasses trend.

According to Versan Health, blue light glasses act as a filter that blocks the transmission of a specific range of wavelengths emitted from screens. But this is where things get tricky... According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, they claim that they're not a necessary purchase and even went so far as to go on record recommending against special eyewear for computer users! According to the Academy, blue light can't have any lasting damage like eye disease, and can't even cause eye strain! And their stance was even further backed up by a medical study that found little correlation between the use of the glasses and reduced symptoms. So why do people swear by them? Well, the placebo effect could be one explanation, or it could just be individual taste. Either way, we can't deny that they make for one great accessory.

So, whether you're pro team blue light glasses or against, it's safe to say that as far as trends go, this one has really taken off. Be sure to check back soon as we dive into more of the most viral lifestyle trends out there...