Why Blue Light Protection?

Approximately one-third of all visible light is considered high energy (HEV) or blue light. When considering the number of time adults and kids spend in the sun which is the highest emitter of blue-violet light (100 times greater than artificial sources) and on digital devices (all emitters of high amounts of harmful blue light) it has become increasingly concerning.

Harmful Blue Light

Light rays (ranging from 415-455 nm) on the shorter wavelength high energy visible end of the visible spectrum can potentially cause eye health concerns. Long term exposure (most damaging around 450 nm) can increase the risk of cell (photoreceptor) damage and dry stage age-related macular degeneration.

Good Blue Light

Not all blue light is considered harmful. We actually need blue light to help us distinguish other colors of the visible spectrum. Light rays (ranging from 465-495 mm) on the longer wavelength low energy end of the visible spectrum help us with color perception and play a role in physiological functions such as pupil response, reaction time, behavioral mood, boosts attention and melatonin production which helps regulate our sleep cycle.

Did You Know?

Blue-violet light protection is available in a wide range of prescription and non-prescription lenses both for indoor and outdoor. You’ll be glad to know that we keep affordability in mind so you can have your eyes adequately protected. We go beyond saying it’s safe by testing your lenses at our Optical Express in-house lab.

Your Eyes Will Thank You!

Blue light (ranging from 380-500 nm) is seen by our eyes and is part of the visible spectrum. When blue light is scattered by moisture or dust in the air, it does not come to focus on the retina. A benefit of controlling blue light is to reduce the most significant aberration of the eye (chromatic aberration), which causes image blur. Your eyes will thank you by being more comfortable and less tired throughout the day. Aside from filtering harmful blue-violet light, it can help provide relief from digital eyestrain, improve clarity and acuity and can be helpful in nighttime conditions such as night driving.

Trouble Sleeping?

If you ever had a difficult time trying to fall asleep at night after viewing electronic devices, you may be able to blame it on blue-violet light. It suppresses melatonin (our sleep hormone) which can cause changes in our circadian rhythm. The LED screens on our electronic devices and even light bulbs (fluorescent and energy-efficient) can contribute to this.

Why Is The Sky Blue?

It is an effect created when the air diffuses blue light emanating from the sun molecules in our atmosphere. These short-wavelength high energy light rays on the blue end of the visible spectrum scatter more quickly than other visible light rays. Amazingly, the higher degree of scattering of these rays is what makes a cloudless sky look blue!

What Makes White Light or Sunlight?

There is an inverse relationship between the wavelength of light rays and the amount of energy they contain. The amount of energy and wavelength of the individual rays is called electromagnetic radiation. The sun (most abundant source of blue light) contains red, orange, yellow, green, violet and blue light rays as well as many other shades of these colors. Together, this spectrum of colored light rays is what makes white light or sunlight.