Rochester Eye Center Blog Insights

What you should know about optical blue light filters

Written by The Rochester Eye & Laser Team | Mar 29, 2017 7:00:38 PM
Did you know...
  • The lens in a human eye doesn't filter blue light until around age 40
  • The closer a digital device is to your eyes, the greater the exposure
  • The larger your pupils, the more blue light that enters your eye
  • Blue light suppresses melatonin
  • Blue light disrupts the body's internal clock and effects the quality of sleep

What is blue light?

Unlike UV, which is filtered by the cornea and crystalline lens, blue light is the highest energy light that actually makes it to the back of the eye. Our eyes have no natural protection in our younger years.

Where does blue light come from?

You encounter blue light in everyday activities. Fluorescent lighting, electronic screens (phones, tablets, computers, TVs, etc.), and the sun emit damaging high-energy blue light.

Is there good blue light?

Not at night. According to Harvard researchers, even dim light can interfere with a person’s circadian rhythm and melatonin secretion. “A level of brightness of about twice that of a night light has an effect.”

Blue light is especially harmful to young eyes due to glare and causes visual strain. Blue light glare interferes with clear, comfortable vision and long term, may contribute to macular damage. 

The answer?

BluTech Lenses, now available in the Rochester Eye & Laser Center Optical Shop.

BluTech Lenses use a patented formula to filter more of the blue light known to be associated with visual strain, macular damage and sleeplessness without distorting color. BluTech protection is infused into the lens. It’s not a tint or coating and won’t wear off or fade.

When exposed to blue light, BluTech is activated to filter light in all three areas of impact:

  1. Blur, glare and visual strain
  2. Peak macular damage
  3. Disruption of sleep/wake cycle

Stop by our Optical Shop and talk to one of our Certified Opticians to see if BluTech is right for you. If you hurry you can take advantage of our April Roll the Dice Sale!