Neurology AdvisorBlue Light Glasses Unlikely to Improve Eye Strain, Sleep Quality in Adults

Comprehensive Systematic Review Finds Inconclusive Evidence on the Benefits of Blue Light Glasses

In a recent systematic review published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, researchers found that blue light glasses offer little to no advantage over non-blue light glasses in reducing visual fatigue or improving sleep quality. The study aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the efficacy of blue light glasses in adults, drawing from 17 randomized controlled trials across six countries.

HCN Medical Memo
This systematic review underscores the need for caution when recommending blue light glasses as a solution for visual fatigue or sleep quality issues. The current evidence does not support a clear benefit, and more rigorous, high-quality research is needed to establish any potential advantages or disadvantages.

Key Points

• The review included 17 RCTs from 6 countries with a total of 619 participants.
• Primary outcomes focused on visual fatigue and critical flicker-fusion frequency (CFF).
• No significant differences were observed in visual fatigue or CFF between blue light glasses and non-blue light glasses.
• 65% of the studies were assessed as having a high risk for bias due to unblinded outcome assessors.
• Researchers concluded that more high-quality research is needed to define the potential effects of blue-light filtering lenses.

“Overall, the results of this review indicate that future high-quality research is required to more clearly define the potential effects of blue-light filtering lenses on visual performance, sleep and macular health.”
– The Researchers

Additional Points

• Secondary endpoints included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), patient satisfaction, daytime alertness, serum melatonin levels, and subjective sleep quality.
• Results for sleep measures were inconclusive, with mixed findings from heterogeneous study populations.

More in Optometry