Today, it’s a known fact that kids spend too much time staring at their computer screens, laptops, and mobile devices. These gadgets emit a blue light, which could damage their eyes. Exposure to this blue light over time could lead to damaged retinal cells. For an effective solution to prevent damage to your kids’ eyes, blue light filter glasses are the best option as they shield and protect eyes from this bright light.
In this post, we’ll answer some important questions—What are blue-light-blocking filter glasses? Are they safe? How can you find the right pair?
We’ll also bring you a handy fit guide to help you choose the best glasses for your child.
Why Use Blue Light Blocking Filter Glasses for Kids?
Blue light is part of the visible human light spectrum. It has the shortest wavelength and the highest energy.
Sunlight is a major blue light source. Artificial sources include LED lights, fluorescent lights, computer monitors, and mobile devices.
Remote learning and watching streaming services on smartphones have led to a noticeable increase in kids’ screen time. According to The Vision Council, 72% of American children engage in over two hours of screen time per day.
According to The University of California, continued exposure could potentially lead to myopia and other eye issues, including:
- Eye fatigue/dry eyes
- Focusing issues
- Blurred and/or double vision
- Light sensitivity
- Headaches
- Disturbed sleep
- Neck/shoulder strain
- Lack of concentration
- Behavior problems
A National Eye Institute study reveals that children are more vulnerable than adults to blue-light-related vision problems, as their eyes tend to absorb it more.
Blue-light-blocking filter glasses come with special lenses that can protect your child’s delicate eyes. Their yellowish or orangish tint can reduce the harmful rays by 80% or more. That’s an impressive reduction in exposure to potential damage to your kids’ eyes.
Yes, blue light glasses are completely safe for kids. However, they cannot correct existing eye issues. Their primary purpose is to shield out blue light.
What You Can Do to Protect Your Child’s Eyes
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), blue light is not a proven cause of eye disease. However, it is known to impact sleep quality drastically.
The artificial light interferes with the body’s capability to produce melatonin. In turn, this upsets the body’s natural circadian rhythm, leading to sleeplessness and a disrupted sleep cycle.
Here’s what you can do to protect your child’s eyes:
- Follow the 20/20/20 rule: Tell your kids to look 20 feet away for 20 seconds after 20 minutes of looking at a digital screen.
- Get blue-light filters for your digital devices: The filters are applied to the screens and will block out the light, without affecting display quality.
- Control screen lighting settings: Manage and adjust screen lighting on devices and place the screen at a comfortable viewing distance.
- Visit your doctor: Get your child’s eyes checked at regular intervals.
How to Choose the Right Blue Light Glasses for Your Child
With the plethora of blue light filter glasses available today, it can be challenging to choose the right pair.
Consider the following tips before making a purchase:
1. Look for Glasses Made by an Honest Company
Choose a company that is honest and highlights the actual benefits of blue light glasses.
2. Read Customer Reviews
Look for user reviews. They will give you a good idea about the product.
3. Check Brand Reputation
Make sure to choose a brand that sells genuine blue-light-filtering glasses.
Blue Light Glasses for Kids: Finding the Right Fit
It’s imperative to choose blue light glasses that perfectly fit your child’s face as this will ensure maximum comfort. They’ll also be more willing to wear glasses that fit well. Well-fitting glasses give good balance and great vision.
Here’s a fit guide to help you find the best glasses for your child:
1. Face Shape
Choose a frame that fits your kid’s face shape.
- All kinds of frames will suit oval faces
- Square faces will look good with rounder or short rectangular frames
- Round faces look better with square or rectangular frames
- Frames that have bold rims or taller lenses will suit oblong faces
- Cat-shaped or round frames will suit heart-shaped faces
2. Size
Some glasses come with prescription measurements. These include:
- Nose bridge length
- Temple length
- Lens height and width
- Total frame width
Your kid’s frame size will be customized as per these measurements.
Otherwise, choose a frame size that snugly fits their face and sits well on the bridge of the nose. The pupils should be in the center of each lens and the frame’s arms should prevent the glasses from slipping down the nose.
3. Material
Choose a material that is both comfortable and practical for your child.
- Metal frames made of titanium, Monel, aluminum, stainless steel, or beryllium are strong and are ideal for rough use as they’ll endure the wear and tear of your child’s active lifestyle.
- Plastic frames are inexpensive and come in numerous shapes, styles, and colors.
4. Lens Material
You can choose from two lens materials:
- Glass is more scratch-resistant but is heavier and more expensive.
- Plastic lenses are light, easy to handle, and affordable. However, they are prone to scratches and damage.
5. Weight
Heavy glasses can lead to facial pain, pressure, or even headaches. Ensure that your child is comfortable with the weight of the glasses.
6. Performance
Choose glasses that block out at least 80% of the blue light. Yellowish or orangish frames can block these light rays out close to 90%.
7. Other Features
Some glasses offer more features, including scratch-resistant coatings, magnification lenses, glare reduction, and UV protection.
If your child has a specific sight issue, discuss it with your eye doctor and the glasses can be tailored to suit your child.
Pick the Right Blue Light Glasses for Your Kid
Purchasing the right blue-light blocking glasses has never been easier. Investing in a pair of blue-light blockers will protect your child’s eyes and ensure that their eyes remain healthy and undamaged, despite the current prolonged use of screens.
BluEyes features a vast collection of blue light filter glasses for kids. We have various lenses and frames to suit all types of faces, complexions, and preferences.
Contact BluEyes today to find the best pair of glasses unique to your child’s needs.
