The Effect of Blue Light Blocking Filters on Human Visual System Performance and Individual Characteristics: A Narrative Review
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Abstract
Blue light blocking filters are recognized as important tools for reducing the harmful effects of light emitted from digital screens. This narrative review, based on a comprehensive search of databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect, examines studies published between 2010 and 2024 and evaluates the effects of these filters on eye health, sleep quality, and related functions. Findings indicate that the use of these filters can help reduce visual discomfort and improve individual factors such as circadian rhythm and sleep quality. Moreover, the relationship between blue light blocking filters and the reduction of sleep disorders such as insomnia, anxiety, migraines, photophobia, mania, computer vision syndrome, and accommodative problems has been investigated. The effects of these filters on retinal structure and function, their potential to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), and their influence on contrast sensitivity, color perception, and motion detection have also been discussed. Some studies suggest that these filters may affect contrast sensitivity; however, further research is needed to clarify these effects. The use of these filters is recommended for individuals who are continuously exposed to digital devices. Although these lenses do not significantly impact overall color perception, they may cause difficulties in distinguishing colors, particularly within the blue spectrum. This study, as a narrative review, provides a comprehensive overview of the effects of blue light blocking filters and emphasizes the need for further research in this area.
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2. Lattimore MR, editor Combatant eye protection: an introduction to the Blue Light Hazard. Degraded Visual Environments: Enhanced, Synthetic, and External Vision Solutions 2016; 2016: SPIE.
3. Wentzel M, van Rensburg JJ, Terblans JJ. Radiology blues: Comparing occupational blue-light exposure to recommended safety standards. SA journal of radiology. 2023;27(1).
4. Tosini G, Ferguson I, Tsubota K. Effects of blue light on the circadian system and eye physiology. Molecular vision. 2016;22:61-72.
5. Charoenpipatsin N, Yothachai P, Nuntawisuttiwong N, Wongpraparut O, Choosri P, Silpa-Archa N. Dosimetry Assessment of Potential Hazard from Visible Light, Especially Blue Light, Emitted by Screen of Devices in Daily Use. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. 2025:169-76.
6. Rosenfield M. Living with blue light exposure. Rev Optom. 2019;156:56-60.
7. Algvere PV, Marshall J, Seregard S. Age‐related maculopathy and the impact of blue light hazard. Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica. 2006;84(1):4-15.
8. Marie M, Forster V, Fouquet S, Berto P, Barrau C, Ehrismann C, et al. Phototoxic damage to cone photoreceptors can be independent of the visual pigment: the porphyrin hypothesis. Cell death & disease. 2020;11(8):711.
9. Moghadasin M, Dibajnia P. Verbal and practical intelligence in general anxiety, obsessive compulsive and major depression disorders. European Review of Applied Psychology. 2021;71(1):100630.
10. Wentzel M, van Rensburg JJ, Terblans JJ. Radiology blues: Comparing occupational blue-light exposure to recommended safety standards. SA journal of radiology. 2023;27(1).
11. Alobaid M, Boon M-Y, Dain SJ. How practitioners say they answer the questions of patients about ultraviolet protection. Clinical and Experimental Optometry. 2022;105(6):642-8.
12. Chorley AC, Evans BJ, Benwell MJ. Solar eye protection practices of civilian aircrew. Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance. 2015;86(11):953-61.
13. Ostovari M, Haghani M, Mortazavi SA, Mortazavi SMJ. Are Blue-Cut Lenses Safe for Children? Potential Effects on Eye Length and Refractive Disorders. Journal of Biomedical Physics & Engineering. 2025;15(2):199.
14. Griepentrog JE, Zhang X, Marroquin OC, Garver MB, Rosengart AL, Chang JC-C, et al. Association between conventional or blue-light-filtering intraocular lenses and survival in bilateral cataract surgery patients. Iscience. 2021;24(1).
15. Więsyk PJ, Urbańska K, Wójcik P, Jasiński K, Wojdat A. Blue Light and Visual Health: Mechanisms, Risks, and Protective Strategies. Quality in Sport. 2024;30:55218-.
16. Yeretsian T, Sanatani G, Nguyen B-N. Blue light blocking glasses: should we all be wearing them? 2023.
17. Cougnard-Gregoire A, Merle BM, Aslam T, Seddon JM, Aknin I, Klaver CC, et al. Blue light exposure: ocular hazards and prevention—a narrative review. Ophthalmology and therapy. 2023;12(2):755-88.
18. Pateras E. Blue light blocking ophthalmic lenses and their benefits–a review. Journal of Materials Science Research and Reviews. 2020;5(3):13-20.
19. Sliney DH. Intraocular and crystalline lens protection from ultraviolet damage. Eye & contact lens. 2011;37(4):250-8.
20. Walker DP, Vollmer-Snarr HR, Eberting CLD. Ocular hazards of blue-light therapy in dermatology. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2012;66(1):130-5.
21. Cougnard-Gregoire A, Merle BM, Aslam T, Seddon JM, Aknin I, Klaver CC, et al. Blue light exposure: ocular hazards and prevention—a narrative review. Ophthalmology and therapy. 2023;12(2):755-88.
22. Redondo B, Vera J, Ortega‐Sánchez A, Molina R, Jiménez R. Effects of a blue‐blocking screen filter on accommodative accuracy and visual discomfort. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics. 2020;40(6):790-800.
23. Alionis ACFL, Netto AL, Lui TAF, Alves MR. Digital asthenopia: blue-blocking lenses and+ 0, 40D additional power in the near zone, for eye strain, accommodation and convergence functions. Revista Brasileira de Oftalmologia. 2022;81:e0054.
24. Hester L, Dang D, Barker CJ, Heath M, Mesiya S, Tienabeso T, et al. Evening wear of blue-blocking glasses for sleep and mood disorders: a systematic review. Chronobiology International. 2021;38(10):1375-83.
25. Mylona I, Floros GD. Blue light blocking treatment for the treatment of bipolar disorder: Directions for research and practice. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2022;11(5):1380.
26. Glazer-Hockstein C, Dunaief JL. Could Blue Light–Blocking Lenses Decrease the Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration? : LWW; 2006. p. 1-4.
27. Lai E, Levine B, Ciralsky J. Ultraviolet-blocking intraocular lenses: fact or fiction. Current opinion in ophthalmology. 2014;25(1):35-9.
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| Issue | Articles in Press | |
| Section | Review Article(s) | |
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| Blue-control filters in spectacle: a review | ||
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How to Cite
1.
Sadeghi M, Rahmani S, Ghasemi Brumand M, Dibajnia P. The Effect of Blue Light Blocking Filters on Human Visual System Performance and Individual Characteristics: A Narrative Review. jmr. 2025;(-).
