by Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet

Blue Light (Follow-up post at the end of the page)

Photo by David Travis from Unsplash

Blue Light

There was an old blogger on WordPress

whose computer time was endless!

When her eyes were exposed to blue light…

she suffered from blurry eyesight.

Computer glasses relieved her distress.

Copyright© 2020 by Cheryl Batavia

After experiencing eye discomfort and blurry vision, I went for an eye exam. I will have a slightly updated prescription and the new glasses will have a specialized reflective coating that shields my eyes from excessive blue light.

My eye doctor told me that the blue light emitted by computer screens and other devices with screens can be a cause of eye problems, including macular degeneration, which can eventually cause blindness.

There are several options to protect eyes from blue light. If you spend a lot of time in front of a screen, you may want to check with your optometrist. If you already use eye protection from blue light, feel free to comment about it. I’ll let you know how my experience goes.

Follow-up: After 10 days of wearing my new glasses that filter the blue light emitted by screens, I have not had another major episode of blurry vision. After some twelve-hour days on the computer, I did notice slight blurriness.

My eyes are definitely better with the new glasses than they were before. I am also using eye drops from the optometrist for dry eyes, trying to drink more water to keep from becoming dehydrated, and keeping room air humidified. I know I should cut my screen time further, and maybe more frequent breaks would help.

I have been noticing a return to my normal sleep patterns–seven hours of uninterrupted sleep most nights. Again, I know I should be getting off the computer a while before trying to sleep, because blue light can cause insomnia. I think the glasses are helpful in preventing insomnia caused by blue light.

Good luck to anyone who is having vision problems due to longer computer time. I appreciate all the helpful comments about this subject, and I hope this post has been helpful.

100 Comments

  1. I am glad someone is talking about eye problems; my eyes have been straining for a while now, sometimes so bad that I have to quit the laptop or phone. Glad you got yours taken care of, I should mine sometime whenever I can.

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  5. Interesting poem Cheryl and good to know you would be more enlightened soon 😊🤗

    I have had eye issues for a few months now – could be cataract. Am avoiding going to my dentist as well as the eye doctor as of now.

    God willing all shall be well soon 🙏

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    1. Very funny, Ashok! 🙂 Enlightment is a good thing!

      I also have cataracts, but in early stages. When I went to the eye doctor, they had installed a clear plastic shield on the equipment and everyone was wearing masks and gloves. I also finally made it to the dentist. The receptionists were masked and the hygenist was wearing a mask and gloves.

      It is very scary going to doctors now. Some are predicting that the pandemic may continue for a long time, but I surely hope not!

      I wish you all the best! Cheryl ❤

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      1. 😊🌹
        When I had got my eyes checked last year the cataract was in very early stage and nothing needed done at that time. I am only guessing that it might have ripened now 😛

        All the very best Cheryl. Stay safe. Stay healthy

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  6. Beautifully written Cheryl, short and sweet! The time you put into your blogs has given us endless pleasure 💖 but blurry eyesight is not good at all, hope your eyeglasses provide you great relief 🙂

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  8. A pensive poem Cheryl 👍
    a reminder for us that prevention is better than cure. I too should get serious on it as am too having a bit of discomfort these days.
    Thanks for sharing and hope you would get relief 😊❤️

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    1. Yes, Nawazish! I so agree with you. With the increased computer time during covid19, many people may be having problems with their vision. I feel sorry for the students, especially the younger ones who are on the computer for long hours! The problem is made worse when optometrists have been closed for long periods of time.

      Take care, Cheryl ❤

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    1. Rekha, I am sorry you are having similar problems. I just got my new computer glasses today. My vision is sharper, but it will take a while to evaluate whether my eyes are more comfortable. Have you already ordered new glasses? If not, you could ask about the coating that protects you from blue light. Good luck with your vision…so important!

      With few exceptions, all my posts are poems. Some of them do share information, I am glad you liked the poem.

      Take care, Cheryl ❤

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      1. I agree too with the following comment, Cheryl : “light is also very disruptive for sleep- interfering with your circadian rhythm if exposed to before bed/at night.” I noticed this, too . I have to stop the computer at leasr two hours before night.
        Love ❤
        Michel

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  14. Hi Cheryl. Great poem and message for all us who are spending an increasing amount of time staring at screens nowadays. I have a set of glasses that filter blue light which I wear regularly – especially in the evenings. Blue light is also very disruptive for sleep- interfering with your circadian rhythm if exposed to before bed/at night. Now I have two reasons to wear them! Thanks for sharing. Wishing you and your eyes well, AP2 🙏

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      1. Sayak, thank you for your kind response. Part of the problem is that blue light can actually cause insomnia. The glasses should help to mitigate this somewhat, but exposure to screens shortly before sleeping should probably still be avoided. I am guilty of this. 🙂 I have been using my new glasses for nearly a week now. The blurry vision is mostly gone. All the best! Cheryl

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    1. Thank you , Lawrence, for sharing your thoughts. It has been about 25 years ago, but I used to get occular migraines. I don’t know what caused them or what caused them to stop…If blue light bothers you, you can ask your eye doctor about it. There are several different options available. I got my glasses this afternoon. We will soon see how well they do for me. ❤ Stay safe and be happy! Cheryl

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  22. Good poem post reminder Cheyrl!
    With my Dad with macular degeneration and glaucoma and my increased screen time it is imperative to heed this message. No problem so far and was told to just order a pair online.. any ideas without going to the dr? Thanks ❤️ Cindy

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  23. Thanks for the heads up on this, Cheryl. I spend an awful lot of time in front of my laptop. I saw an optometrist last year about my sore and red eyes, but he dismissed screen work as the cause. Apparently I have poor quality tears! I have eye drops and take Omega 3, which helps a bit.

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    1. Chris, thank you for sharing your experiences. You might also check out glasses for blue light. I got mine yesterday and will let you know how it goes. Like you, I started drops for dry eyes. When using heat or air conditioning, you might find it helpful to humidify the air.

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  25. Thank you so much for sharing this. I feel like my eyes are getting worse as well and thought it might be directly related to “screen” time.
    I will have to schedule and eye appointment soon.
    Blessings! ❤️

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  32. So good to know that your vision problems have been getting better Cheryl, along with a better sleep pattern too. So rest and care is working, as are your new glasses 💖
    We seem to have taken things to the edge during this pandemic with a big increase in blue light exposure, I think my numbers have changed too, might need a visit for correction. Will check about the blue light glasses at that time, as you mention it has been effective. Thanks for the update Cheryl, somehow WP did not bring it into the feed, so didn’t notice it earlier.

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  37. Hi there! From one Cheryl to another and as one presbyope to another, I empathize. After 35 years in ophthalmology as a certified tech I can say I have seen, heard and experienced a lot. It would seem you had some eye strain from increased computer time. I presume you were not wearing glasses prior to this time? You look young so also I am assuming you would maybe be reaching the age of needing something for reading and/or to correct some astigmatism. While the blue light issue as well as most UV light can definitely be harmful to the eyes, it would not cause any blurring. A good UV filter in a pair of non prescription glasses helps with that so for anyone who has good vision we always recommend a UV computer screen cover or glasses with UV protection without Rx. As someone with chronic dry eyes, especially after reading for long periods, I also empathize. Taking fans from your face, increased water intake and occasional artificial tears works wonders. Frequent breaks to look out a window or walk around, even closing your eyes will help with the blurring that comes from constant vision accommodation. Also, don’t forget those sunglasses for UV protection outside. 😉

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    1. Thank you, Cheryl, for sharing your expertise. I think I am doing most things right. I am 71, myopic and astigmatic and have worn glasses since age 15. My glasses have nonreflective coating, photo gray, and blue light filter. I guess I should do away with the fan. I am trying to take more breaks. Thank you for your advice about blurring. I think the artificial tears, better hydration, and breaks have made some improvement. ❤ Thanks again for your advice. Enjoy the rest of your weekend! Cheryl

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    1. Thank you, Jay, for your kind and thoughtful comments. ❤ It does seem that eye problems from too much screen time are very widespread now. I really appreciate your taking time to read and comment. Take care of your eyes…You will need them for the next eighty years or so! 🙂 All the best! Cheryl

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  39. Thank you for sharing your experience. I am currently in a job which involves a lot of time staring at a computer screen, and then I spend more time looking at one while editing my book. Definitely something I need to be more conscious of, even though I have yet to have any issues.

    Something my mother always says is we need to look after our eyes, because most of us only get one pair! 😁

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    1. Sorry to hear that, Loku! Students, especially those taking classes remotely, are exposed to a lot of blue light. If you don’t need glasses for vision correction, you can find blue light glasses online. Taking frequent breaks may help, even just closing your eyes for a few minutes or looking out a window. Humidifying air, keeping hydrated, and artificial tears may also help. Good luck taking care of your eyes. ❤

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