Lincoln eye doctor suggests blue light lenses for digital eye strain

If your eyes have been feeling the strain of looking at a computer all day, a local optometrist may have the answer for you.

LINCOLN, Neb., (KLKN)– If your eyes have been feeling the strain of looking at a computer all day, a local optometrist may have the answer for you.

“The wonderful thing about it is, blue light helps regulate our mood,” said Dr. Brian Brightman, EyeCare Specialties. “It helps keep us awake, but also when we don’t have blue light, our melatonin levels rise and we’re able to fall asleep easier and rest. Well, if we stare at digital devices, it can affect our sleep patterns because that blue light tells us to stay awake. So you may lay in bed and read on your iPad and stay awake longer than if you read a book.”

As the pandemic causes many to use digital devices, like cell phones, laptops, tablets, and more, it could be putting extra strain on your eyes.

Brightman says blue light lenses have been designed to block the highest levels of blue light, those lights that come directly from your screens. These lenses can be an option for school-age children to even adults, who may be working at home.

“Blue light can cause digital eye strain and we now know that if we block that high energy visible light, we can actually reduce eyestrain for patients,” said Brightman. “I always try it myself and I say what’s my opinion of it and I thought it worked well. Then I asked my patients, ‘How have you enjoyed it this last year as you’ve worn it?’ Overwhelmingly, patients have really felt that it helped their digital eye strain.”

Dr. Brightman recommends getting a prescription with the blue light lens for the best protection or an over-the-counter pair for non-regular eyeglass wearers.