Industry News
New Research Challenges Effectiveness of Blue-Light Filtering Lenses in Relieving Digital Eye Strain
In a recent systematic review conducted by researchers at the University of Melbourne, the efficacy of blue-light filtering lenses in reducing digital eye strain has been called into question. The study, comprising an analysis of 17 randomized controlled trials, challenges the widespread notion that blue-light filtering lenses offer significant relief from eye strain caused by prolonged digital device usage.
Published in the esteemed Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the study was led by a team of the University of Melbourne researchers who aimed to explore the veracity of claims surrounding blue-light filtering lenses' potential benefits. Often marketed as a solution to alleviate eye strain related to screen time, these lenses have gained popularity in an increasingly digital world.
Contrary to expectations, the results of the review suggest that blue-light filtering lenses may not offer the short-term advantages they are touted to provide. The trials, encompassing a time frame ranging from two hours to one week of usage, failed to provide conclusive clinical evidence supporting the lenses' ability to mitigate digital eye strain. Additionally, the review found no substantial proof that these lenses have an impact on sleep quality or safeguard against retinal damage.
The research, which involved data from studies carried out across six different countries and encompassing a total of 619 participants, has raised significant implications for both eye care professionals and consumers. Associate Professor Laura Downie, the senior author of the review and Head of the Downie Laboratory: Anterior Eye, Clinical Trials, and Research Translation Unit at the University of Melbourne, emphasized the importance of the findings for those considering the purchase of blue-light filtering lenses.
"Our findings suggest that blue-light filtering spectacle lenses may not provide short-term relief from computer-related eye strain compared to non-blue-light filtering lenses," explained Associate Professor Downie. She further stressed that the uncertain impact of these lenses on vision quality, sleep-related outcomes, and long-term retinal health warrants careful consideration.
Associate Professor Downie also highlighted the confusion that often surrounds these lenses due to their marketing claims, indicating that patients need to be aware of the inconclusive evidence before making a decision. The review's outcomes, drawn from the most current and reliable evidence available, imply that the prescription of blue-light filtering lenses to the general population lacks robust support. This conclusion holds relevance for multiple stakeholders, including eye care professionals, patients, researchers, and the wider community.
Dr. Sumeer Singh, the first author of the study and a postdoctoral research fellow in the Downie Laboratory, called for further comprehensive research to clarify the potential effects of blue-light filtering spectacle lenses on various aspects of eye health. Stressing the need for studies with longer follow-ups and broader participant demographics, Dr. Singh emphasized the potential variability of efficacy and safety outcomes among different groups and lens types.
Dr. Singh also put into perspective the actual amount of blue light emitted by screens, asserting that artificial sources, such as computer displays, only expose our eyes to a minute fraction of the blue light found in natural daylight. Moreover, he highlighted that blue-light filtering lenses typically block around 10-25 percent of blue light, which could significantly alter color perception if higher levels were to be blocked.
The study was conducted in collaboration with experts from City, University of London, and Monash University. As the debate around blue-light filtering lenses continues, the research underscores the importance of evidence-based decision-making in the realm of digital eye strain and vision care.
