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Should I be Worried about blue light?

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Staring at a screen for hours, whether it is a TV, computer, or phone, can expose your eyes to blue light from the device. According to alarmist headlines too much blue light from screen time is blinding us. While “blinding” may be a little farfetched, staring at a screen for hours can lead to discomfort in your eyes.

The discomfort you feel after looking at a digital screen for a prolonged period of time is generally a result of digital eye strain. Most of us blink less when looking at screens which can cause eye strain and dry eyes. The good news is eye strain does not cause lasting damage and is easily preventable.

Blue light glasses claim to protect your eyes against blue light, however, there is not enough evidence to support their effectiveness in improving symptoms of digital eye strain. The best way to protect your eyes against eye strain is to take regular breaks using the “20-20-20” rule: every 20 minutes, shift your eyes to look at an object at least 20 feet away for a minimum of 20 seconds. Another solution is to use artificial tears to refresh your eyes when they begin to feel dry.