Blue Light Glasses for Kids: Are They Necessary?

Headaches, eye strain, insomnia…oh my!

Do they make blue light glasses for kids?

When parents discuss “screen-time,” it always seems to end in a debate. Parents disagree on whether screen time is safe, how much time should be allowed, and even what constitutes screen time.

The truth is, screen time is almost inevitable in this day and age. Kids are on computers at school, use computers for homework, and of course, as a learning/leisure device at home.

Despite the debate on whether screen time is necessary or not, there is one thing that is not up for debate. Screens emit blue light, which can be harmful to our eyes and brain.

Read on for more information on blue light, the harm it can cause, and whether blue light glasses for kids can help.

What Is Blue Light?

Blue light is a high energy visible light that can be seen by the human eye. Blue light is emitted by the sun and most types of screens that we use every day. This can be phones, computers, or tablets.

But how can light be harmful?

The problem with this type of light is that the human eye has trouble filtering it out. Therefore the light reaches deeper within the eye where it can cause more damage.

Pros and Cons of Blue Light

Blue light gets a bad name because of all the news surrounding it; however, blue light has benefits as well as its downfalls.

Some exposure to blue light is healthy and even beneficial. It promotes alertness and can boost memory function and mood.

The reason that blue light gets a bad rap is because it can disturb circadian rhythm, reduce melatonin, and harm developing eyes (in other words, children’s eyes).

Blue Light Glasses For Kids

If you’re worried about blue light keeping your kids up at night, some devices come with a built-in “night light” setting, which reduces the amount of blue light emitted by the device. However, there are other ways to reduce exposure during screen time.

Blue light glasses for kids are all the rage right now. These glasses help to block those high energy waves of light, while still allowing other lights to filter through. Ultimately, by blocking these color waves, it will help to reduce eye strain and improve sleep quality.

Because blue light is a stimulant of sorts, looking at screens can disturb sleep if looking at them before bed. These glasses aim to curb that.

Will Blue Light Glasses Prevent Other Eye Diseases?

No.

Blue light glasses for kids only do one thing, block blue light. These glasses will not prevent astigmatism, nearsightedness, or far sightedness. You’ll still need to take your child to their pediatrician for a referral to a pediatric eye doctor for any suspected eye problems.

Where Can I Buy Blue Light Glasses?

You can find blue light glasses at most mainstream stores like Target, Walmart, and even pharmacies.

For ease, you can also shop online at places like Amazon, but keep in mind that you won’t get to try them on before purchasing. They do have a great return program so that won’t be much of a problem.

As for kids that need prescription glasses on an everyday basis, talk to your eye doctor about some blue light prescription options. Some optometrists can add a blue light filter directly to your current prescription, or in other cases they’ll give you a separate pair of prescription glasses with the blue light filter added.

My Kid Won’t Wear Glasses

That’s ok too! While glasses are the easiest way to remedy exposure to blue light, there are other options too.

Check your computer or phone for night light settings and implement them. If their devices don’t have a night light setting, there are always screen protection options for devices. They do the same as blue light glasses but are not as easily removed as glasses can be.

Conclusion

Up until recently, most people had never heard of blue light, but that’s because screen devices were not as prevalent as they are today. Parents began noticing sleep issues, eye strain, abnormal pain, and attention problems in their children.

We want to do everything to keep our kids safe and happy, including being safe from the harmful effects of too much screen time. Unfortunately, screen time is here to stay because it’s so easy, efficient, and available.

Luckily, there are some great ways to curb the exposure of blue light by wearing blue light glasses or using screen protectors.

If you have any questions about the effects of blue light on your child, or whether your child may need blue light glasses, make an appointment today to discuss your options.