If you have trouble sleeping at night, you're not alone. It's estimated that at least 60 million people in the United States have difficulty sleeping at night. While there are many potential causes, one common issue is the use of blue light during the hours before sleep. You may be exposed to blue light and not even know it. Thankfully, a new pair of glasses can help.

Why Electronics Are So Bad For Sleep

Nearly any form of electronics that has a monitor or screen produces blue light. This light has been shown to keep people awake by changing one's circadian clock. This is an internal, built-in system that helps you to go to sleep when it's dark outside and to wake up once it's bright again. Unfortunately, blue light interferes with this pattern and can trigger the body and brain to boost consciousness levels during the middle of the night.

To make matters worse, if you tend to look at a phone, computer, or tablet when you can't sleep, you're introducing even more blue light. The longer you look at your devices, the harder it will be to rest.

Other Dangers of Blue Light

Blue light can potentially cause problems for you other than an inability to sleep. Excessive exposure to blue light may increase your risk of developing certain eye problems later in life.

Blue light can potentially damage your retina and even trigger macular degeneration if you're exposed to enough of it during your lifetime. While blue light is emitted by the sun, too, any additional exposure you encounter from your electronics will increase your risk.

Glasses Protecting From Blue Light

Thankfully, being protected from blue light is as easy as visiting your eye doctor. Glasses can be made to shield you from excessive blue light, just like how they can protect you from UV radiation. The lenses of these glasses are given a special coating that filters out blue light and prevents it from harming your eyes and altering your sleep patterns. Unlike sunglasses, this filter can be applied to any lens, so you can wear them during the day or at night.

If you're tired of not being able to sleep at night, it's a good idea to seek help. Reducing the amount of blue light you're exposed to nightly can help you to get the rest you deserve, so don't hesitate to contact an optometrist for help.