Computer screen blue light filter

Page updated on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 - Medically reviewed on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 Page updated on Tuesday, June 20, 2023Medically reviewed on Tuesday, June 6, 2023Do the same sunglasses that block the sun's damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays also filter blue light from the sun and your digital devices? It really depends on the lens tint — yellowish tints, for example, filter some high-energy blue-violet light, while darker orange tints may be required to filter lower-energy blue-turquoise light.What are your options for blue light filtering?Are there better blue light filtering options than wearing your sunglasses while indoors looking at your digital devices? No doubt you have heard of blue light glasses.Let’s explore if and when sunglasses make sense to help filter potentially harmful blue light rays, and how you can best keep your eyes comfortable while viewing your digital devices.Does wearing sunglasses while on the computer help filter blue light?Most sunglasses are specifically designed to block UV rays and reduce glare. When it comes to reducing blue light to keep your vision comfortable while working at your computer, certain sunglasses lens tints can help reduce the blue light exposure from the screen. When shopping for shades that also filter blue light, look for yellow, orange, dark amber, copper or brown lens tints. These colors work to filter blue light and heighten contrast, making them great for indoor and outdoor activities. Your best bet is to ask your eye care provider for suggestions and lens coating options for sunglasses that will reduce exposure to both UV and blue light rays.QUESTIONS ABOUT SUNGLASSES LENS TINTS? Visit an optical store near you.What is blue light glare?Blue light exposure and excessive screen time go hand in hand, but should you only be concerned with blue light glare from your digital devices?Not necessarily. Blue light is just one color on the light spectrum that you see on a daily basis, and getting a healthy amount of blue light is actually important for regulating our sleep–wake cycle. The biggest source of blue light is sunlight, not your laptop. It is also important to remember that blue light emission can also vary drastically depending on the manufacturer, device, and brightness settings.Can blue light from screens damage your eyes?You’re probably aware that staring at your computer or smartphone for hours isn’t exactly great for your vision. But why? According to the American Optometric Association, spending too much time in front of a screen that is held too close to the eyes can lead to eye strain, dry eyes, headaches, and neck and shoulder pain. To prevent or reduce your digital eye strain, it’s best to wear protective computer eyeglasses or minimize your screen time. SEE RELATED: What are blue light glasses? Do you need them?Are sunglasses the best way to filter blue light?Sunglasses do reduce exposure to some blue light. How much? That depends on the tint of your sunglass lenses.Would blue light glasses, often also called blue light blocking glasses or simply blue blockers, be a

F.lux/Iris are:– 70-80% (varies from screen to screen) when running at 2700K CCT (correlated color temperature)– 94-98% when running at 1200KSee spectrograms below – click to enlarge – the first is with f.lux off, i.e. 6500K, second at 2700K, and third at 1200K)Blue light filter app efficiency NO FLux Spectrographic analysis" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file=" data-large-file=" loading="lazy" title="Blue light filter app efficiency NO FLux Spectrographic analysis" src=" alt="Blue light filter app efficiency NO FLux Spectrographic analysis" width="196" height="150" srcset=" 150w, 196w, 392w, 300w" sizes="(max-width: 196px) 100vw, 196px"> Blue light filter app efficiency FLux at 2700K Spectrographic analysis" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file=" data-large-file=" loading="lazy" title="Blue light filter app efficiency FLux at 2700K Spectrographic analysis" src=" alt="Blue light filter app efficiency FLux at 2700K Spectrographic analysis" width="207" height="150" srcset=" 150w, 207w, 414w, 300w" sizes="(max-width: 207px) 100vw, 207px"> Blue light filter app efficiency FLux at 1200K Spectrographic analysis" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file=" data-large-file=" loading="lazy" title="Blue light filter app efficiency FLux at 1200K Spectrographic analysis" src=" alt="Blue light filter app efficiency FLux at 1200K Spectrographic analysis" width="197" height="150" srcset=" 150w, 197w, 394w, 300w" sizes="(max-width: 197px) 100vw, 197px">As set by default, f.lux will run at 6500K during the day (no blue light reduction) and closer to 2700K at night. That might be fine if your problem is insomnia. To prevent eye strain, it is preferable to set f.lux/Iris to a lower CCT setting day and night.↑ Contents ↑DIY blue light filter app: Change screen colorsChanging text and especially background color is a free and easy DIY version of a (color transform) blue light filter app. Changing background and text color is a good option if you mostly read of the screen, edit text or work with spreadsheets.The advantage is that you can select any color you want and control the contrast level.Disadvantage: Not everything will appear as one would like to – particularly some buttons on web pages might be hidden or text on them invisible.Depending on your background/text color choice and digital screen model it may “filter” up to 75-95% of blue light as compared to black text on white background (estimates based on LEDMuseum and f.luxometer data).You may find detailed instructions on how to change background color and text color in:– Windows 7, Adobe Acrobat, Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, etc… – Windows 10Choosing background color well is key to reducing blue light emissions of your digital screen; see Least likely colors to cause computer eye strain.Bluelight filter app & color changeYou can combine the two approaches, thus filtering blue light with the app and also being able to choose the colors your screen displays. Remember that the app will distort your colors, so if you care a lot about the exact colors displayed, you should set the app to

You find glare (contrast in brightness) disturbing, but you can stare into a flame – in otherwise complete darkness – without any pain, chances are you are more blue light sensitive. This is because light emitted by a normal flame from a candle, match, wood, emits almost no blue light (see spectral power distribution of a candle below).Candle spectral power distribution" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file=" data-large-file=" src=" alt="Candle spectral power distribution" srcset=" 300w, 598w, 150w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px">Then, there are a couple of slightly more sophisticated methods.Use a free app to test blue light sensitivityIf you don’t know whether computer blue light could be causing your eye strain see: Are you sensitive to light … or just blue light? The guide explains how you can use f.lux, a free blue light filter app to test your blue light sensitivity. It’s easy!Or a blue light filter test kitYou can also test your eyes’ sensitivity with a blue light filter Tester with 8 different blue light filters:Blue light filter Tester S" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file=" data-large-file=" title="Blue light filter Tester S" src=" alt="Blue light filter Tester S" width="300" height="225" srcset=" 300w, 600w, 150w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px">This option will give you more information about your sensitivity and suggest the best suited blue light filter for it.↑ Contents ↑What causes computer eye strainIntense use of the eyes is the generic cause of eye strain – or asthenopia – in a person with normal vision. Activities that likely cause eye strain are extended periods of driving, reading, writing, sewing, … and of course, the use of digital screens. Secretaries, accountants, bookkeepers, draftsmen, are some obvious jobs with a greater risk of eye strain [Is all Asthenopia the Same? (2003)]. But as we are becoming increasingly digitized (at work and otherwise) the experience of computer eye strain is starting to affect everyone.Moreover, digital screens bring about a host of new challenges for our eyes (see article: What causes computer vision syndrome).On average computer screens tend to emit blue light with much greater intensity than other, longer wavelengths of visible light. This is because the predominant color in most GUIs is white. To make it worse, white is often combined with blue.Yet, blue light disturbs our sharp vision because of blue light scatter, chromatic aberration, and because the spot of our precision vision is not sensitive to blue light but to longer wavelengths (green and red).And sharp vision is what we use for screen-based activities. Therefore, computer eye strain develops.Unless our natural blue light filter – macular pigment – blocks enough blue light to prevent it.Or we use external/artificial blue light filters.↑ Contents ↑How to compare different blue light filtersThe only way to compare blue light filters is based