Anyone who has stared at their third Zoom of the day will know how tired the eyes can get from constant computer use! The main source of blue light is the sunlight, and most of us get exposure to it when we are outdoors. But a significant amount of blue light is emitted by the display screens of smartphones, computers and electronic notebooks. The eyes are pretty efficient at blocking the harmful ultraviolet rays, and if you wear sunglasses, they can block up to 100 percent of UV rays thereby protecting the eye from damage that could lead to cataracts and cancer. This is not the case with the blue light. When it comes to blue light, almost all of it passes through the cornea and lens and reaches the retina, making the eye susceptible to damage. Iris Eyewear is here to help!
IRIS Eyewear, has launched a new range of stylish, price-competitive, blue light protection glasses for 2022. And the company is setting its sights on expanding across the Middle East as more people become aware of the health effects of over exposure to blue light.
According to research by Statista, 97 per cent of people living in the UAE have a smart phone and nearly 70 per cent use a computer. Today’s fast-paced lifestyles and growing reliance on devices for work, reading and gaming make blue light exposure an increasing health threat.
Blue light is the most harmful of the seven colours in the digital light spectrum. At best, over exposure symptoms include dry or irritated eyes; at worst, macular degeneration and cataracts can occur, along with headaches, mental fatigue and sleep deprivation according to medical experts, who say that at least 50 per cent of digital users have eye problems.
IRIS Eyewear supplies prescription and non-prescription glasses online, with delivery to anywhere in the UAE and KSA within 48 to 72 hours. Customers can choose from a wide range of reasonably-priced eyewear – updated seasonally to reflect latest styles, colours and fashion trends – for men, women and children. Every pair is made from lightweight and impact -resistant material – including biodegradable options – and comes with lenses that feature scratch resistant, hydrophobic and antistatic filters while blocking 100 per cent of blue light. A range of UV protection sunglasses is also available.
Issa Younes, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer at IRIS Eyewear, says: “Natural blue light, which is emitted from the sun and gives the sky its blue colour, is actually good for you, as it regulates natural sleep and wake cycles, boosts alertness and promotes overall wellbeing. But it’s a different story with artificial sources of blue light, including cell phones, computer screens, fluorescent lighting and LED lights. That’s why we launched the IRIS eyewear brand, and are continuing to focus on digital wellbeing awareness to protect people across the region and promote a healthier mental and physical lifestyle.”
Research shows that blue light from devices is harmful and accumulates throughout the day to become more impactful in the evening, according to Dubai-based sleep experts, Nurture 2 Sleep.
“Exposure to blue light at night including extensive use of electronic devises can disrupt our sleep or exacerbate sleep disorders,” says Julie Mallon, Senior Sleep Consultant. “Blue light is known to inhibit melatonin, a key sleep facilitator that controls our daily wake-sleep cycle, and therefore sleep is often compromised. The effects of blue light, including compromised sleep and other health issues, are impacting adults and children: before the Covid-19 pandemic, research estimated that more than 80 per cent of children were spending three hours or more a day using digital devices”.
IRIS Eyewear is committed to sustainability and social impact, too. As part of its carbon neutral approach, for every pair of glasses purchased, the company will plant a tree in Africa through a partnership with Tree Nation. IRIS is also planning a series of roadshows at businesses and schools across the UAE and KSA – and potentially further afield – to raise awareness of blue light among people who electronic devices for work and lessons during the day, and perhaps for reading, gaming or social networking in their spare time. Further initiatives are also in the pipeline.
Research suggests that wearing the blue light blocking glasses for even a few nights can be extremely beneficial for your eyes, so, head to https://shopiris.co/ and give your eyes a pair of blue light blocking glasses now! Your eyes will thank you for this kind gesture!