The Readers > What is blue light?

WHAT IS BLUE LIGHT?

Blue light is a part of the light that the eye can perceive. Natural and artificial sources emit this light. Thus, we see the blue sky or our smartphone screens even in the sun. It also regulates our sleep cycles and increases alertness and memory performance.

WHY IS IT HARMFUL FOR OUR EYES?

Multiple studies show that artificial blue light can have harmful effects, including:

Eye strain, given that we cannot focus or increase contrast on the visual noise that digital devices emit.
Disturbance of sleep cycles, given that it suppresses the synthesis of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep.
Dry eyes, given that when you focus your vision on a screen for long periods of time, you blink less than usual and your eyes become dry.
Headaches and migraines, as a result of eye strain and sleep disturbances.

WHY USE THE READERS’ BLUE-LIGHT GLASSES?

Blue-light glasses incorporate a yellow filter into the lens, which reduces the amount of light that reaches our eyes. At The Readers, we have designed a very light yellow filter that blocks as much blue light as typical screen glasses, but allows you to read on paper without straining your eyes. Normal yellow filters make it difficult to read on paper. We have also applied an anti-reflective treatment to our lenses to avoid glares, inner-side reflections, flashes and losses of contrast.