Is Blue Light Filter Good

February xv, 2019

ii min read

Study shows blue light filters do not reduce digital center strain symptoms

Mark Rosenfield, MCOptom, PhD, FAAO

Marker Rosenfield

A study published in Optometry and Vision Science concluded that blue light filters are no more effective at reducing the symptoms of digital eyestrain than an equiluminant neutral density filter.

Researchers said they undertook the study due to little evidence to support claims from eye vesture manufacturers that blue-blocking filters can reduce the symptoms of digital eyestrain (DES).

"The impact of blue light on the eye has gained increased involvement in recent years attributable to the high proportion of these wavelengths emitted by light-emitting diodes," the authors wrote. "These are commonly institute in digital screens such every bit desktop, laptop and tablet computers; electronic reading devices; and smartphones.

"This is particularly pertinent nowadays given the substantial number of hours existence spent past many (or perhaps most) individuals viewing these screens in gimmicky life," they continued. "In addition, there is a high prevalence of both ocular and visual symptoms associated with viewing these displays."

Researchers used digital screens overlaid with either a neutral density (ND) filter, for the control group, or a blue blocking (BB) filter, both of equal luminosity, according to the study. They had 23 young adults perform a 30-minute reading chore with these screens. Subjects were measured for accommodative response, educatee diameter and vertical palpebral discontinuity dimension at 0, 9, 19 and 29 minutes. After the reading chore, subjects completed a DES questionnaire to quantify symptoms.

Co-author Mark Rosenfield, MCOptom, PhD, FAAO, professor diplomate in binocular vision, perception and pediatrics at the SUNY College of Optometry, and his colleagues showed that a BB filter was no more effective at reducing symptoms of DES than an equiluminant ND filter.

"These results practise not support the apply of blueish-blocking filters for the treatment of digital eyestrain. Individuals suffering from this condition should receive a consummate ocular evaluation, including refractive error, binocular vision, oculomotor and ocular surface assessment to determine the health of the centre," Rosenfield told Primary Intendance Optometry News .

"In addition, they should exist counseled regarding appropriate ergonomics and environmental issues when viewing electronic devices for a sustained flow," he said. "Factors such as appropriate viewing distances and gaze angles, the need for frequent breaks and abstention of glare and screen reflections should also exist emphasized."

According to the written report, while BB filters were non shown to reduce any apparent symptoms of DES, scientists acknowledged that it remains unclear why blue light should crusade DES symptoms in the kickoff identify. Additionally, this study neglected to bear witness that BB filters did not protect eyes from other potential furnishings of bluish light on eyes.

"[T]here is no physiological machinery at the nowadays time that links bluish calorie-free with eyestrain," Rosenfield said. "Bluish low-cal may interfere with the torso'southward circadian rhythm, and so that blue light exposure in the evening may interfere with the power to go to sleep. It is for this reason that digital screen time should be avoided in the i to 2 hours before bedtime. Also, extremely high levels of blue exposure may be associated with impairment to the posterior segment and has been linked with weather such as age-related macular degeneration."

Rosenfield and colleagues have conducted further research on this topic. Their latest conclusions appear to support the results of this study.

"More than recent work from our laboratory (submitted for publication) also plant no significant departure in symptoms of digital eyestrain betwixt clear lenses that included a blue-blocking filter and a clear CR39 lens. Accordingly, in that location is piddling support for this treatment epitome at the present time." – past Scott Buzby

Disclosure: None of the authors reported any relevant financial disclosures.