Do blue filter glasses protect your eyesight from screens? A review of 17 studies provides a definitive answer technology

While it is widely marketed claiming to protect eyesight and reduce fatigue from overuse of screens, Glasses that filter blue light They do not lead to real eye health benefits, at least in the short term.

This was shown by an extensive review of 17 studies on the topic, published on Friday in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews – one of the most popular platforms in the scientific world.

The work was carried out by the University of Melbourne, in Australia, in collaboration with researchers from Monash University, also in the country, and the University of London, in the UK.

The lead author of the review, University of Melbourne Professor Laura Downie, head of the Downey Eye Health Laboratory from the Foundation, says in a statement.

“The results of our review, based on the best available evidence, appear to be inconclusive and uncertain as to these claims. Our findings do not support the prescription of blue light filter lenses for the general population.”

The blue light emitted from mobile screens is important because it affects the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle and, in excess, can damage vision. Therefore, it is common to find glasses on sale with lenses that promise wave filtering.

However, Downey lab researcher and review author Somair Singh states that “the amount of blue light our eyes receive from artificial sources such as computer screens is about one-thousandth of what we receive from natural sunlight today.”

He adds, “It’s worth keeping in mind that blue light filter lenses will typically filter out around 10-25% of blue light, depending on the specific product. Filtering out higher levels of blue light requires the lenses to have a pronounced amber tint, which will have an effect.” Great on color perception.”

Researchers evaluated 17 studies, from six countries, in which participants wearing glasses with a special lens were compared to components from common lenses. The works analyzed sought to determine if there was an effect on improving visual performance, protecting the retina from damage, and improving sleep.

The number of volunteers in the studies ranged from 5 to 156 volunteers, and the follow-up period ranged from one day to five weeks. After analyzing the available data, the researchers who conducted the review concluded that no evidence was found to support the purported benefits of blue light lenses.

“We found that there may be no short-term advantage to using eyeglass lenses with a blue light filter to reduce eye strain associated with computer use, compared to lenses without a blue light filter,” Downey says.

“It is also unclear whether these lenses affect vision quality or sleep-related outcomes, and no conclusions can be drawn about any potential effects on long-term retinal health. People should be aware of these findings when deciding to purchase these glasses.” adds the researcher.

It highlighted that the review was conducted within Cochrane standards to ensure that the findings are robust. However, he is of the opinion that they should be evaluated based on the quality of the studies that were available. One problem, for example, is the short period over which participants were followed, which prevents more solid conclusions about long-term effects.

“Large, high-quality clinical research studies with longer follow-up in more diverse populations are still needed to more clearly define the potential effects of blue-light-filtering eyeglass lenses on visual performance, sleep, and eye health. Safety outcomes vary between different groups of people and use of different types.” of lenses,” says Singh.

The review also highlights that no consistent reports of adverse effects were found from the use of blue filter lenses. Some participants reported restlessness, headaches, or mood swings, but all were mild, infrequent, and temporary. For those responsible for the analysis, “they may have been related to the use of glasses in general, as similar effects have been reported with lenses that do not filter blue light.”