UNSW Emeritus Professor Stephen Dain has rejected claims that blue light-blocking lenses are required to protect against digital eye strain.
In a news segment aired in Australia by Channel Nine, Professor Dain, who spoke at the Specsavers Dispensing Conference on the subject in August 2018, stated that “the need for blue-blocking lenses when you’re using your computer, watching your television, under normal lighting inside is absolutely unnecessary”. The segment also featured Specsavers Canberra Optometry Partner Jimmy Park, who offered alternative solutions for addressing digital eye strain.
This follows the October 2018 release of a document series by UK optometry industry body The College of Optometrists, titled Using evidence in practice, which states:
“The best scientific evidence currently available does not support the use of blue-blocking spectacle lenses in the general population to improve visual performance, alleviate the symptoms of eye fatigue or visual discomfort, improve sleep quality or conserve macula health.”
Due to the fact that the majority of academic evidence and research presented over the past five years points to blue light lenses providing no benefit or added value to vision or eye health in the general population, Specsavers Australia & New Zealand does not promote blue-blocking lenses to patients.
