An analysis of 17 randomized controlled studies deduces that blue light-blocking eyewear has no effect on computer-related eye strain or sleep quality. The included studies did not analyze this outcome. Hence the analysis did not uncover any proof that blue-light-filtering lenses shield against harm to the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
Researchers from the University of Melbourne, along with associates from City, the University of London, and Monash University, led the new review, which was published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. The team’s goal was to evaluate the benefits of blue-light-blocking lenses to non-blue-light-blocking glasses for enhancing visual performance, shielding the retina, and enhancing sleep quality.
They analysed data from every randomized controlled trial they could uncover and discovered 17 experiments from six different nations. Participant counts in various experiments ranged from five to 156, and the length of time used to evaluate the lenses was somewhere between a few hours to five weeks.
Senior author of the review, Associate Professor Laura Downie, said, “We found there may be no short-term advantages with using blue-light filtering spectacle lenses to reduce visual fatigue associated with computer use, compared to non-blue-light filtering lenses. It is also currently unclear whether these lenses affect vision quality or sleep-related outcomes, and no conclusions could be drawn about any potential effects on retinal health in the longer term. People should be aware of these findings when deciding whether to purchase these spectacles.”
She, however, added the quality and duration of the studies also need to be considered. “We performed the systematic review to Cochrane methodological standards to ensure the findings are robust. However, our certainty in the reported findings should be interpreted in the context of the quality of the available evidence. The short follow-up period also affected our ability to consider potential longer-term outcomes,” Downie said.
The first author of the review, Dr Sumeer Singh, said “High-quality, large clinical research studies with longer follow-up in more diverse populations are still required to ascertain more clearly the potential effects of blue-light filtering spectacle lenses on visual performance, sleep and eye health. They should examine whether efficacy and safety outcomes vary between different groups of people and using different types of lenses.”
The review did not find any consistent reports of adverse side effects from using blue-light filtering lenses. Any effects tended to be mild, infrequent, and temporary. They included discomfort wearing the spectacles, headaches and lower mood.