One of the biggest eye care issues of our modern world is digital eye strain. We spend a good portion of our lives in front of our digital devices, and it’s no surprise that our eyes are struggling to keep up. Between phones, tablets, computers, and new technology being released every day, our eyes are constantly bombarded with screens and displays.
Although we still don’t fully understand how modern technology affects our eyes, particularly in the long-term, it’s important that we take the appropriate steps to protect our vision day-to-day.
Eyezen lenses are one way we can help prevent the daily discomfort of eye strain.
What Are Eyezen Lenses?
Eyezen lenses are a special type of single vision lens by the brand Essilor. Unlike most single vision lenses, Eyezen lenses have been engineered to encounter digital screens on a regular basis.
Most lenses have the capability of adding a blue light filter or coating to reduce the amount of blue light penetrating your eye. Eyezen lenses are different because they come equipped with a blue light filter feature, as well as extra accommodation and WAVE technology.
That all sounds fine, but does it actually mean anything? Let’s take a closer look at this technology and how it actually works.
The Technology Behind Eyezen Lenses
Smart Blue Filter™
Blue light is everywhere. It radiates from the sun, indoor lighting, and of course, our digital devices. Studies indicate that this spectrum of ultraviolet light could cause permanent damage to our retinal health, increasing our risk of age-related macular degeneration and other eye diseases. There’s also some evidence to suggest that blue light contributes to digital eye strain; an issue that approximately 59% of Americans experience.
Essilor’s Smart Blue Filter™ technology prevents at least 20% of blue light from reaching your eyes. This filtering effect isn’t just for screens, either. Blue light filters will help protect your eyes from blue light emitted from the sun and indoor lighting as well.
Scientists believe that blue light has a cumulative effect on your retinal health. The sooner you protect your eyes from blue light, the better your chances of maintaining healthy retinas.
Accommodative Relief
One of the major sources of computer eye strain is the distance at which we use our digital devices. Most of us read books 15 inches or so from our faces, which is a comfortable distance for the eyes. Meanwhile, most of us hold our smartphones about 12 inches from our faces.
Your mobile devices should be positioned 15 to 25 inches away from your face when you use them and your computer screen should be an arm’s length away, roughly 25 inches on average. These distances allow your eyes to relax more, however, many of us find that text is too small at that distance.
Eyezen lenses offer a small amount of magnification, allowing you to keep a healthy distance from your screen without struggling to read. This gentle correction allows your eyes to relax a little bit more as you spend your day in front of smartphones and computers.
WAVE Technology
Anything that obstructs your ability to see what’s on a screen will contribute to eye strain. Whether it’s glare, smudges, or just dust, these minor impediments are enough to make a noticeable difference in your vision.
Essilor’s WAVE technology is designed to provide sharper vision at any distance, eliminating blur even in dim or low light.
What Are Computer Glasses?
Computer glasses are similar in concept to reading glasses, however, the correction offered in computer lenses is usually milder than readers. Computer glasses also have the added benefit of blue light filtering, designed for the purpose of protecting your retinas from potential harm, and reducing blue light’s potential impact on digital eye strain.
Even if you don’t have or need a prescription to correct your vision normally, computer glasses could absolutely still benefit you.
Eyezen lenses are particularly good for computer glasses because they are uniquely engineered to improve your digital experience while protecting your eyes from strain.
Are Computer Glasses Worth It?
There is some debate among the scientific community as to whether or not filtering blue light will actually reduce digital eye strain. Personally, I’m of the opinion that until we have more concrete conclusive evidence that blue light will not harm or exhaust your eyes, it’s best to take the appropriate steps to protect them.
More importantly, it’s well-documented that screen distance is a significant factor in digital eye strain. Computer glasses offer gentle magnification, allowing you to see the text on your phone and computer more clearly from a healthier distance. This alone is an excellent reason to invest in glasses for digital displays.
I highly recommend that anyone who works in front of a screen or spends considerable time on their phone purchase themselves a pair of computer glasses.
