The trend of glasses with yellow lenses is gaining momentum among athletes. There is an opinion that this is not just a fashion attribute: such an accessory blocks harmful blue light from the screens of mobile devices, helps the body to relax, prepare for sleep, makes it easier to deal with jet lag, and also improves mood. Let’s find out from an expert if this is really so.
What we will tell you about:
What does science say about the effects of yellow-tinted glasses?
Neurologist at the Evroonko Federal Network of Expert Oncology Clinic in St. Petersburg
“In terms of UV protection, yellow sunglasses are just as beneficial to eye health as sunglasses of any other color.”
Glasses with yellow lenses are believed to block the blue light spectrum, both from the sun and from screens. This supposedly helps reduce eye strain and fatigue.
There is also an opinion that such an accessory helps with prolonged work at the computer, reducing the glare of the screen and facilitating visual perception. However, it is important to note that scientific evidence on this issue is contradictory.
Too much of the blue part of the spectrum can overstimulate the brain a little and this can worsen the process of falling asleep.
The blue spectrum of daylight is partially absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere, but when the sun is high or at its zenith, absorption decreases. Blue light therefore predominates during periods when the sun is at its highest point, i.e. during the day, when the problem of falling asleep is irrelevant.
There is also blue light in the brightness of the screens of various devices. Therefore, to sleep better, it is not recommended to use gadgets before going to bed.
Photo: istockphoto.com/AlessandroPhoto
As for the problem of jet lag: it is not caused by blue light or any other light, but by the failure of the body’s “internal clock” when changing time zones. Therefore, wearing yellow glasses will not improve it in any way.
There is also an opinion that yellow glasses improve mood and help to cope with depression. This is not true, as mood disorders, including depression, are complex diseases based on a deficient production of certain substances in the brain, mainly serotonin and norepinephrine.
The course of such diseases depends on many factors and yellow glasses do not improve the condition of such a patient.
However, there is no scientific evidence to confirm the health benefits of yellow glasses.
How do yellow glasses work?
Like any other sunglasses, they cut the ultraviolet part of the spectrum, which is invisible to the eye, which is harmful to both healthy eyes and to people with diseases of the lens or retina.
Photo: istockphoto.com/izkes
In addition, glasses with yellow lenses cut (some almost completely) the blue part of the spectrum visible to the eye. Therefore, on a clear day, when the sun is high and the blue color predominates, they can slightly improve contrast when looking into the light.
On this basis, yellow glasses have gained popularity among tennis players and golfers, i.e. those athletes who have to look at the sun, for example, while watching the ball while playing.
This may be important if the competition takes place in the middle of the day, near the equator, when the blue spectrum activity is maximum and the contrast against this bright background is poor.
The further north the latitude, the less this effect will be, and in cloudy weather there is no need to cut the blue spectrum at all.
It is also important to remember not to look at the sun for long periods of time, even with yellow sunglasses, as this can cause very serious burns.
Photo: istockphoto.com/Solovyova
At dusk or in the dark, a decrease in any part of the color spectrum, including blue, can only worsen visibility, so drivers should not use yellow glasses at night.
What are the benefits and harms of yellow glasses?
The benefits of UV protection are undeniable, but this is a property of glasses of any color. Cutting the blue part of the spectrum is important to improve contrast only in very bright sunlight in areas closer to the equator.
The benefits of yellow glasses for improving emotional background, normalizing sleep and overcoming jet lag are a myth.
Nowadays, yellow glasses are actively promoted, they are very popular among athletes and this influences our choice. However, there is no scientific data or convincing studies on this subject, or there are not yet any.
Perhaps, if a person loves the yellow color or sincerely believes that these glasses will help him solve these problems, then why not use this device? There will definitely be no harm from it.
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