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As screen time continues to increase, blue light glasses have remained a trending topic as a solution to curb the effects of our prolonged device usage. Once popular amongst office workers and gamers, the blue light blocking craze has extended to much of the general public due to an extended time indoors over the past year. Blue light glasses are advertised to reduce eye strain, alleviate headaches and improve sleep, but their effectiveness remains a contentious subject. If you've ever questioned, what do blue light glasses do? Keep reading as we explain their function and debunk whether blue light filter glasses are a solution to digital eye strain or merely a trend.

Blue light glasses filter the blue light from digital devices through a special coating that is built into the lens. Blue light is found in almost every light-generating source, these clear speciality lenses filter the blue light emitted from devices, thus helping to reduce digital eye strain. Blue light can sway between harmful UV and healthy light consumption, blue light blocking glasses' purpose is to aid those who spend an extended amount of time on their screens due to work or other commitments. 

If you've ever experienced dry, itchy eyes after a long day working on your computer, or if you experience sudden headaches at night with blurry vision, you've probably experienced the effects of digital eye strain. While there is a healthy amount of blue light that can be consumed, overexposure to blue light from devices can cause an imbalance in our circadian rhythm which is why sleep patterns can be disrupted, or you find it difficult to fall asleep at night. 

While there is currently no conclusive research to determine whether electronic blue light can lead to eye problems down the track, blue light blocking glasses are associated with two benefits: reducing eye strain and better sleep. When we spend time on our screens, especially late at night, the blue light tricks our brains into keeping our bodies awake. Wearing glasses at least three to four hours before bed can lead to a more restful and less interrupted sleep. 

Frequently endorsed on Instagram and purchased as a fashion statement accessory, blue light glasses can get a bad rap as people question their ability to reduce the symptoms of digital eye strain. While experts say that blue light exposure from screens and devices is far less significant than stepping into natural sunlight, their ability to reduce symptoms of eye fatigue shouldn't be undermined. Research conducted by Specsavers indicates that younger Australian's are more likely to experience digital eyestrain than those who are older, while Australian office workers whos suffer from digital eye strain will experience symptoms 2 to 3 times per week. As it causes discomfort to the eyes, headaches and general well-being, according to the report, the majority of Australian office works who suffer from digital eye strain say it impacted their productivity. 

While blue light glasses are unlikely to prevent serious eye conditions in the future as protective sunglasses do, wearing them may alleviate fatigued eyes while improving your quality of sleep. Blue light glasses should be worn in conjunction with other preventative methods like keeping hydrated and turning down the brightness of your screen. With longer periods of time spent looking at screens, our eye muscles can struggle to function under extreme workloads without a break which is why adopting good habits like the 20-20-20 rule which is looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes spent using a screen. With these practices adapted, you're more likely to reduce the effects of digital eye strain, meaning more happy, healthy eyes and more restful sleep. 

Manufacturers of blue light glasses claim that they help reduce eye strain, reduce headaches and improve melatonin secretion. But do they really work?

 Do Blue Light Glasses Work? | Just Sunnies

As screen time continues to increase, blue light glasses have remained a trending topic as a solution to curb the effects of our prolonged device usage. Blue light glasses are advertised to reduce eye strain, alleviate headaches and improve sleep, but their effectiveness remains a contentious subject. We're here to debunk whether blue light filter glasses are a solution to digital eye strain or merely a trend.

The Sun, UV and Your Eyes: What's The Damage?

We know that spending a prolonged period in the sun is dangerous, but what does it do to our eyes? Most of us are aware of the life-threatening skin cancers and remember to protect our skin by applying sunblock, although sun safety is heavily engrained in our lifestyle, the reasons for wearing sunglasses are often overlooked. Understanding the long-term effects that the sun can have on our eyes is important to take the proper measures to avoid these problems down the track, we're here to break down the most common eye conditions to encourage you to wear sunglasses all year round.

Before we jump into eye conditions associated with UV light exposure, let's get an understanding of the three most common forms of UV light. In the visible light spectrum, sunlight produces three main types of UV rays: UVA, UVB and UVC. 

1. UVA light makes up 95% of the UV radiation that reaches earth and causes the skin to tan and age. UVA penetrates the skin the most which affect the inner layers of the skin and our eyes.

2. UVB affects the outer layer of skin, resulting in sunburn and skin blistering with the risk of skin cancer. UVB affects the corneas of your eyes and the clear front part of the eyeball, causing irritation and light sensitivity. 

3. UVC is the most damaging form of UV light, but lucky for us, the majority of UVC is absorbed by the ozone layer before it reaches us. 

The Top 5 Eye Conditions Resulting From UV Exposure

A cataract is a cloudy area that covers the lens of your eye and is the result of long-term exposure to the sun. There is a common misconception that cataracts only occur when we're older, however, cataracts will develop much more rapidly in those who have constant exposure to the sun. As cataracts develop over time, they can make your vision blurry, hazy and less colourful. While cataracts can be removed from surgery, it is recommended to wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection. Non-smokers and those with a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables and antioxidants will reduce the onset of cataracts down the track.  

Photokeratitis is a temporary but usually painful eye condition caused by UV ray overexposure. Besides direct sunlight, photokeratitis can occur from sunlight that reflects into your eyes from reflective surfaces like water, snow, ice and cement, as well as tanning beds and electrical sparks. This condition is said to be like a sunburn affecting the cornea and the conjunctiva with symptoms usually last from a few hours up to a couple of days in some cases. The best preventative is wearing polarised sunglasses whenever you are exposed to bright light conditions and wearing protective eyewear while operating machinery. 

More commonly experienced by people who spend lots of time outdoors exposed to the sun and other elements like wind, smoke and sand, Pterygium, also known as Surfer's Eye, is a triangular growth that begins on the clear tissues of one or both eyes and can spread to the cornea. Pterygium is a noncancerous, painless growth that may appear slightly raised with blood vessels, while it can be removed from surgery, Pterygia may grow back despite successful surgery. Symptoms may include irritation or eye discomfort.

Pinguecula presents as a white or yellow raised area or bump within the conjunctiva, and is particularly common in those who live in very sunny, dry, windy or dusty environments. While Pinguecula doesn't go away by itself, it can be treated if it becomes red or swollen with eye drops. Though typically a harmless growth, it is best to avoid Pinguecula by wearing sunglasses, protecting your eyes from dust and other elements by wearing glasses or goggles, and using eye drops if eyes become dry.

Macular Degeneration is damage to the retinal tissue or macula which is caused by long-term sun exposure. As the macula is where we get our central vision, and the retina is the multi-layer lining of the inside of the eye, Macular Degeneration causes loss of central vision resulting in blurriness and blank spaces. This condition progresses slowly and is most common in those over the age of 50 with evidence that this occurs in those who have had more sun exposure throughout their life. Currently, there is no cure for Macular Degeneration, treatment is only used to slow the progression. 

We know that spending a prolonged period in the sun is dangerous, but what does it do to our eyes? Read more about the main eye conditions and what you can do to prevent long-term damage.

The Sun, UV and Your Eyes: What's the Damage? | Just Sunnies

We know that spending a prolonged period in the sun is dangerous, but what does it do to our eyes? Most of us are aware of the life-threatening skin cancers and remember to protect our skin by applying sunblock, although sun safety is heavily engrained in our lifestyle, the reasons for wearing sunglasses are often overlooked.  

Have you ever thought about your eye health? You only have one set of eyes and we’re strong believers in taking care of them. If you’re time poor or new to looking after your eyes, we’ve put together six simple ways you can start protecting them today. 

Protect your eyes from the sun by opting for your favourite sunglasses. All sunglasses sold on Just Sunnies are in line with the Australian Standard and offer 100% UV protection. Even on cloudy days, high levels of UV exposure can lead to progressive damage to your eyes and cause eye conditions such as cataracts and pterygiums. Reduce the harmful effects of UV radiation on your eyes by wearing sunglasses every day.

Add Extra Protection with Polarised Lenses

Choose polarised sunglasses for added protection against harsh glare. Polarised lenses have an added layer within the lens that cuts out 99% of reflective glare from shiny surfaces such as light bouncing off roads, other vehicles, and even the water at your favourite beach. 

Protect Your Eyes From Your Devices with Blue-Light Glasses

Daily use of devices over long periods of time not only causes eye strain but exposes our eyes to harmful blue rays.  Protect your eyes from your phone and computer screens by adjusting your device’s brightness level and invest in blue-light glasses to assist with reducing eye strain and blocking out the harmful blue rays from your devices

The harm caused by UV rays on your eyes is irreversible. Start introducing children into the habit of wearing sunglasses from an early age to prevent the onset of any eye conditions. 

Looking at your computer screen, mobile phone, or television over a long period of time can strain and tire your eyes. Try the 20-20-20 rule to give your eyes a break. Every 20 minutes, look at an object 20 feet away, for at least 20 seconds.

Working on an industrial site, starting a DIY project at home, or playing an outdoor sport?  Make sure you wear the appropriate eye safety for your activity to avoid dust particles, bacteria, or any airborne materials getting into your eyes. Just Sunnies selection of safety glasses are all marked in accordance with the Australian safety eyewear standards. 

Have you ever thought about your eye health? You only have one set of eyes and we’re strong believers in taking care of them. We’ve put together six simple ways you can start protecting them today.

Six Ways to Look After Your Eye Health | Just Sunnies

Have you ever thought about your eye health? You only have one set of eyes and we’re strong believers in taking care of them. If you’re time poor or new to looking after your eyes, we’ve put together six simple ways you can start protecting them today.

With the arrival of winter, many of us say goodbye to our golden tans and early morning rises in favour of track pants and sweats to keep us cosy during those chilly mornings and nights. Despite the disappearance of bikinis and warm weather, one thing we shouldn’t be swapping out is our sunglasses.

This Monday, we celebrate National Sunglasses Day on the 27th of June, and although it falls in the middle of winter in the southern hemisphere, we recognise that wearing sunnies this time of year is just as important as wearing them during summer. We’re here to tell you why sunglasses are an essential and non-negotiable accessory and wearing them should remain a force of habit even when the temperature drops.

Fortunately for us in Australia, our winters are mild in many places and the sun continues to shine. While we might be missing the heat we run to get our sunnies for, sunshine and glare off of surfaces can be just as intense during the colder months. For this reason, it’s important to always carry a pair of sunglasses with you, even on a cloudy day. UV rays don’t come and go between seasons and maintaining eye health is extremely important, even more so as we get older.

Though the sun might not feel as warm as it does during our sometimes unbearable summers, the sun in winter sits at a different angle and is lower in the sky resulting in heightened UV exposure. Combining this factor with frosty or wet roads can cause obstructed vision for drivers, chucking on a pair of polarised sunnies will aid in reducing glare while providing visual clarity. You might already know this if you are a seasoned skier or snowboarder as wearing sunglasses is crucial when on the slopes due to the strong reflection from the snow. Applying this practice to your everyday life is essential in protecting your eyes all year round.

As for fashion? What was once a massive faux pas (fashion no-no) to wear sunglasses during winter unless you were Anna Wintour, has now become a staple accessory for every season. After all, besides our best summer attire, what looks better with sunglasses than a stylish coat or leather jacket? Winter is the perfect time to experiment your look with some trendy sunglasses to dress up your jeans and sweats while giving your eyes the protection they deserve.

Don’t let the temperature deter you from wearing your favourite shades all year round, wearing sunglasses is worth celebrating every day. Check out a range of fashionable and functional sunglasses for men and women online at Just Sunnies.

To help you celebrate National Sunglasses Day

We’re here to tell you why sunglasses are a non-negotiable accessory and wearing them should remain a force of habit even when the temperature drops.

Why You Need To Wear Sunglasses in Winter | Just Sunnies

Why You Still Need To Wear Sunglasses in Winter

Don’t let the drop in temperature deter you from wearing your favourite shades all year round, wearing sunglasses is worth celebrating every day.

We’re spending time on our devices more than ever before, but like most, you might not be considering how much light you’re absorbing on a daily basis. So, what exactly is this harmful light we keep hearing about and how can you prevent exposure? After all, cutting down screen time is not a viable option for many of us.

Blue light consumption has been a hot topic lately and for good reason. It’s found in everything from sunlight to indoor lights, and if you’re reading this off of one of your smart devices, you’re exposing your eyes to blue light right now. Blue light is a portion of the visible light spectrum with the shortest wavelengths which means it produces high amounts of energy.

But why can it be dangerous? Too much of anything can be harmful and overconsumption from our screens, especially at night, has been proven to interrupt our bodies natural body clock making it difficult to fall asleep. While there is no definitive answer on exactly how much blue light is safe to consume, it is believed long-term exposure can have some serious side effects.

But there are ways you can combat exposure and reduce the eye strain you may be feeling at night. Blue light glasses are designed to filter the harmful wavelengths in order to avoid circadian rhythm cycle disruption, meaning you can get a good night’s rest after using your smart devices for the duration of the day. Studies recommend wearing light filtering glasses 3-4 hours before bed to ensure a more restful sleep even if you don’t need glasses for seeing. Just Sunnies has got you covered through a range of blue light filtering glasses with stylish frames, so you’re always prepared to limit your exposure to blue light when you need to.

See a range of fashionable blue light lens styles from big brands like Baxter Blue, Quay and Carve online at Just Sunnies. Becoming a huge topic in eyewear and eye health, we can expect to see more blue light technology from big names in the sunglasses industry. If you’d like you to find out more about the range of blue light lens glasses and finding the perfect pair for you, our customer service team is happy to help.

Just Sunnies has got you covered through a range of blue light filtering glasses with stylish frames, so you’re always prepared to limit your exposure to blue light when you need to.

What Are Blue Light Blocking Glasses? | Just Sunnies

We’re spending time on our devices more than ever before, but like most, you might not be considering how much light you’re absorbing on a daily basis. Just Sunnies has got you covered through a range of blue light filtering glasses with stylish frames, so you’re always prepared to limit your exposure to blue light when you need to.