The use of digital devices has skyrocketed during Covid-19 as more people spend time indoors and work from home. This is exposing people to higher levels of blue light, which can potentially lead to long-term problems, including higher rates of myopia. 

At my Mt Manganui practice, there has been an increase in patients asking about blue-light lenses, concerned about the potential damage to the retina and their sleeping patterns. They also tend to complain about sore and tired feeling eyes. This echoes similar concerns expressed in the 2020 Vision Survey conducted by Carl Zeiss Vision, which found that 56% of New Zealanders were experiencing one or more negative effects on their eyesight including tired eyes at the end of the day (reported by 33%), eye strain (24%) and trouble focusing (26%), which they attributed to recent lifestyle changes such as working from home and spending more time indoors using devices.

As an optometrist, evidence-based research is essential to guide me to an informed decision. While there is ongoing exploration and debate around the long-term effects of blue light from devices, having seen much of the research and heard patients walking through our doors, I believe there is growing cause to address blue-light effects and prevent future damage.

Why I recommend the new ZEISS BluePro Lenses

A common disadvantage of many blue-light blocking solutions is irritating and disturbing reflections on the lens surface. Such reflections can cause distraction to the observer and cosmetic irritation to the wearer. In indoor environments, where displays or LEDs are the main sources of illumination, these reflections tend to be more visible. As blue-light blocking properties are incorporated into the lens material, the new ZEISS BluePro Lenses come standard with ZEISS DuraVision Platinum UV. This premium anti-reflection coating, with its subtle blue residual reflection, ensures the wearer does not get annoyed by irritating reflections and the eyes are clearly visible behind the lenses. Compared to the current blue-light coating ZEISS DuraVision BlueProtect, the reflections of digital blue light are reduced by up to 50%¹. The result is high lens clarity with significantly lower visible reflections of digital blue light. What’s more, since it is a coating with far less hue and color, it’s perfect for all lens types.

In my opinion, everybody - especially those who work for long periods on digital screens, particularly late at night – stand to benefit greatly from the added peace of mind and comfort that ZEISS BluePro can provide. Blue light exposure due to digital devices and the potential link to long-term damage, including myopia, is a worrying trend. As optometrists, the best treatment we can offer is prevention, and I consider ZEISS an important partner in helping me offer this service to my patients.

1. Inhouse measurements and calculations based on the DBRLED (digital blue-light reflection) metric. Analyses by technology and innovation, Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH, DE, 2020.

Karl Fischer is a director and optometrist at Fischer + Fischer Optometrists in Mt Maunganui, New Zealand