Screentime and Blue Blockers for Everybody

January 11, 2022

So your home is now a learning centre...again. This time around it should be easier, what with prior experience and all, yet there is some very understandable disappointment, especially for the students. 

Online learning comes with its own unique problems. For younger learners, these problems can significantly impair their ability to concentrate on the task at hand. For parents, trying to work at home and oversee your stay-at-home students requires organization on a grander than usual level. We are here to help you tackle one of those big issues that undermines all online efforts.

For all concerned parties, additional screen time can lead to eye strain from that abundance of blue light. Why all the fuss about blue light? According to Gary Heiting, OD, blue light is both good and bad for you. Here’s why: it all has to do with wavelength. Long waves have the least amount of energy such as infrared while on the other end of the visible light spectrum, blue light rays have the shortest wavelengths (and highest energy). And they are everywhere.

Cool fact: Blue light rays scatter more easily than other visible light rays when they strike air and water molecules in the atmosphere, and this is what makes the sky look blue.

Sunlight is the main source of blue light, but there are also many artificial, indoor sources too: fluorescent and LED lighting, flat-screen televisions, the display screens of computers, electronic notebooks, smartphones, and other digital devices. It’s not the amount of blue light emitted from these devices, but rather the amount of time we spend engaged with them in such close proximity that has health care professionals concerned about possible long-term effects.

Eyes are not good at blocking blue light. Indeed, virtually all visible blue light passes through the cornea and lens to reach the retina. Laboratory studies have shown that blue light can damage the light sensitive cells on the retina and this could lead to macular degeneration in later years. For those of you who have undergone cataract surgery, protecting your eyes from blue light damage is essential to maintaining your vision.

Because blue light waves scatter more easily, they create a reduction of contrast, a blurring if you will, which leads to eye strain when using digital devices. Blocking these waves results in easier screen reading. 

But you don’t want to block these waves all together. Blue light is a mood elevator, it boosts alertness, and it helps memory and cognitive function. It is also important for regulating circadian rhythm, your natural waking and sleep cycle. Exposure to blue light during daytime hours is beneficial, but too much late at night (reading a book on an e-reader at bedtime, for example) can disrupt this cycle, leading to insomnia and exhaustion.

Our collection of Blue Blocker Eyewear by Peepers provides the protection, comfort, and style you and your little learners need. Have a browse. 

For kids, we have six great colours from which to choose.

For adults, we have a wide range of frames and magnifications to suit every face and vision boosting need.

See all our stylish options at shopcoriander.com by searching “Peepers” or “blue light”, or pop into Coriander Life to try some pairs before you buy.

Get the most out of your new blue blockers by keeping them in good order and where you can find them with our handy cleaning kit and convenient eyeglass cord, available in five fantastic colours. 

Coriander has the answers to keep your vision and your Little Schoolhouse on the Cul-de-sac enrollees healthy and in good order. 

Finally, at day's end, put your feet up and smile over a mug of herbal tea/ dealer's choice. You've earned it. 

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