The need for online school and online socializing in order to keep safe during the COVID-19 pandemic led to a steep increase in screen time for most children and teens. This information from a recent Fox News article confirms this fact: "…the group found that screen use rose to 7.7 hours per day from pre-pandemic estimates of 3.8 hours per day." With all of this additional screen time, children's eye health is at risk. The good news is blue light-cut screen protectors can help prevent macular degeneration, reduce eyestrain and headaches, and may even keep sleep patterns stable. But what is blue light and why can it have these negative effects on human health?
Rainbows, light, and electronic devices
When you see a rainbow, the colors of light normally not seen by the naked eye can be seen because the light is refracting through the water droplets in the air. Red, yellow, blue, and many other shades of color can be seen. Electronic devices such as tablets, cell phone screens, gaming devices, and computer monitors emit these same colors, including, of course, blue. On the light spectrum, blue is very close to ultra-violet, which is commonly understood to have negative effects on eye health. Many researchers are now saying that long exposure to blue light from electronic devices can produce some harmful health effects. This is why many ophthalmologists offer blue light reducing lenses and consumers can find blue light reduction readers at their local department stores and pharmacies. But many children do not wear glasses, and some find that blue light glasses are not comfortable.
The Nitty-Gritty
We hope these 3 solid reasons may persuade you to install blue light reduction screen protectors on your children's phones, laptops, and other electronic devices.
Reason #1: Your child may sleep better.
No matter how hard parents try to dissuade their child from using their phone or tablet before bed, it can be a losing battle. Using blue light reduction screen protectors, however, can at least help limit the potential sleep disruption that viewing a screen can have. Devices emitting blue light used before bed can affect the body's melatonin levels and interrupt sleep patterns. In fact, many professional resources such as this article on the Sleep Foundation website confirm this finding.
Reason #2: Reducing blue light may soothe your child's eyes.
Long exposure to blue light can cause eye strain, dry eyes, and eye fatigue. While a blue light screen protector won't block all of the blue light coming from a screen (otherwise, the viewer wouldn't see any blue at all), Photodon's MXB film cuts up to 93% of high-energy visible light on the violet/blue band from 400-450 nanometers. Plus, the protector slightly mutes the blue on the screen, which many find helps with preventing headaches.
Reason #3: Blue light reduction screen protectors can help to deter macular degeneration.
Macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD), is a medical condition that may result in blurred or no vision in the center of the visual field (Wikipedia). Optometrists like those of The Review of Optometry have discovered that reducing UVB (Blue Light) can lessen the occurrence of macular degeneration.
Perfect fit. High quality.
Photodon's blue light reduction screen protectors can be custom cut to any device. Click on the link to find your device on our website. If you don't see your device listed, we can custom cut one for you! Contact us at 847-377-1185, M-F 9:00a.m – 5:00pm EST, or email us at [email protected].