While blue light has garnered a lot of attention in recent years, including filters incorporated into our screens and supposedly protective eyewear, a massive recent study has tried to settle the debate.
Revealing results from the Cochrane review
Cochrane, a leading review, highlighted the results of 17 randomized clinical trials conducted in 6 different countries. The purpose of these tests was to explore the harmful effects of blue light, present between 380 to 450 nanometers in the visible spectrum, in particular emitted by our screens (but also by the Sun). The general idea is that this light tires our eyes and disturbs our sleep.
However, according to this comprehensive review, there appears to be insufficient evidence that blue light is harmful. Moreover, the usefulness of glasses supposed to filter this light is questioned. The study pointed out that many of the clinical trials on the subject were of low quality. For example, only a third of the studies were listed in a clinical trials registry, and less than half provided essential statistics to complete a trial.
Moreover, there is no evidence that these filters protect our retina from damage. In summary, the study concludes that there may be no immediate benefit to using these filter lenses to reduce eyestrain.
Side effects : myth or reality ?
The study didn't just look at the effectiveness of the glasses. It also looked at possible unwanted side effects. The results show that side effects were minimal and likely due to just wearing glasses. Symptoms such as headaches and bad moods were reported, but they were similar whether or not the glasses filter blue light.
Dr. Singh, based on the results, remarked, "The blue light that our eyes perceive from artificial sources is minimal compared to natural daylight. Also, to really filter out a lot of blue light, the lenses should have a pronounced amber tint, dramatically altering color perception. "
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