Cochrane review – blue-light filtering lenses

Blue‐light filtering spectacle lenses for visual performance, sleep, and macular health in adults

A Cochrane systematic review has investigated the potential benefits and safety of blue‐light filtering spectacle lenses on visual performance, macular protection and sleep quality. The study found limited evidence to differentiate these lenses from non-blue-light lenses.

This Cochrane review supports an earlier systematic review by the College of Optometrists. Members should continue to follow the College’s recommendation on blue-blocking spectacle lenses.

Objectives

To assess the effects of blue‐light filtering lenses compared with non‐blue‐light filtering lenses, for improving visual performance, providing macular protection, and improving sleep quality in adults.

Authors’ conclusions

This systematic review found that blue‐light filtering spectacle lenses may not attenuate symptoms of eye strain with computer use, over a short‐term follow‐up period, compared to non‐blue‐light filtering lenses. Further, this review found no clinically meaningful difference in changes to CFF with blue‐light filtering lenses compared to non‐blue‐light filtering lenses. Based on the current best available evidence, there is probably little or no effect of blue‐light filtering lenses on BCVA compared with non‐blue‐light filtering lenses. Potential effects on sleep quality were also indeterminate, with included trials reporting mixed outcomes among heterogeneous study populations. There was no evidence from RCT publications relating to the outcomes of contrast sensitivity, colour discrimination, discomfort glare, macular health, serum melatonin levels, or overall patient visual satisfaction. Future high‐quality randomised trials are required to define more clearly the effects of blue‐light filtering lenses on visual performance, macular health and sleep, in adult populations.

A Dilemma

This appears to support the College’s position on blue light which has in comparison to many claims made in the States and the EU made it an outlier to those claims and is at odds to tablet and smart phone manufacturers who have gone out of their way to include blue light filters.