Why Do Programmers Wear Glasses? (4 Main Reasons)

Computer glasses are eyeglasses specifically designed for viewing computers, tablets and smartphones. 

Not all programmers use glasses, but constantly working with a PC over time can make your eyes dry, lead to eye strain and fatigue and in severe cases cause eye irritation. 

However, programmers cannot decide to stop working with a PC because of the damage that the light can cause to their eyes because it’s their everyday tool.

They still can’t take the general advice of staying away from their computer screen because that’s what they signed up for in the first place.

As a result, they are left with no choice but to use glasses for clear vision and to prevent eye-related problems.

Let’s take a look at the 4 known reasons why programmers wear glasses.

1. Programmers wear glasses to prevent eye strain and eye fatigue

Most programming-heavy roles like software development require the programmer to work for 40 hours a week, amounting to 8 hours of work per day.

This doesn’t mean they write rigorous codes for complete 8 hours but when the need arises, they can spend up to 5 undisturbed hours working and resolving code issues.

A lot of programmers also glue their butt to their programming chair especially if it’s a comfortable one and they can span up to 10 hours working.

They only remember getting off when they feel pressed or hungry.

Staring at a computer screen for such long hours causes eye strain and fatigue.

It’s like a sharp weary pain you feel in the eyes after heavy work.

Computer glasses used by programmers and not just any random glass are used to prevent such eye strains during and after work.

2. Programmers wear glasses to reduce blue light intensity and overall glare

A lot of bright light from computer screens is thrown at the user during active work.

This is the major reason why most programmers prefer dark mode to light mode while coding.

Some programmers alter the brightness of their screens at intervals or use the stress-free option, F.lux: a software that automatically adjusts a display color temperature according to the programmers’ location and time of the day.

Dark mode and F.lux software do a good job in reducing light intensity but most programmers still prefer the common style of using computer glasses. 

3. Programmers wear glasses to improve their eyesight 

Over time, some elderly programmers above the age of 40 suffer eye defects like myopia (short-sightedness) caused by unprotected usage of computer screens during their early days.

They tend to wear special corrective glasses prescribed by an eye specialist after diagnosis.
This glass reduces bluriness, eye squinting and greatly improves vision.

Eye defects caused by extensive use of computer screens might not be visible from the onset but can strike you at a later age.

That’s why young programmers and gamers are advised to protect their eyes and not get carried away in the process.

4. Programmers wear glasses to fit into the stereotype

Don’t be surprised that most newbie programmers wear glasses just to feel along.

“My mentors do use eyeglass, my colleague at work and even the bad-ass hackers on movies, so why won’t I? it seems like a tradition”

Well, wearing glasses to fit into the clan is not a bad idea but make sure you are using the right glasses else you might be doing yourself more harm than good.

Do Programmers Actually Need Glasses?

Yes. Programmers need glasses due to the nature of their work.

Staring at screens for a living requires you to protect the eyes from strains, excessive bright lights that emanate from computer screens at close range and to avoid eye defects at a later age.

Do Programmers Have Eye Problems?

If programmers don’t maintain healthy eyes or cultivate the necessary habits required to protect the eyes from prolonged light exposure, they can develop eye problems like blurred visions, double visions, dry eyes, eye strains, red eyes, eye fatigue and even eye defects like myopia.

The Computer Glasses and Blue Light Controversy

There has been some research pertaining to blue light in the past, most of which can be seen as mixed findings as their results and findings overlap; making some postulations only correct theoretically as we await more scientific research with closer validity to the human eyes.

A recent study suggested that blue light-blocking glasses do not improve symptoms of digital eye strain. As a result, the American Academy of Ophthalmology does not recommend blue light-blocking glasses because of the lack of scientific evidence that blue light is damaging to the eyes.

Another study (Harvard Medical School) has shown that exposure to bright blue light in the evening can affect your circadian rhythms by causing sleep interference which makes it harder to fall asleep.

The widespread danger of not using blue light filter glasses became so rampant that CBC (a Canadian public broadcast service) carried out a hidden camera investigation across Canada’s top optic stores to see if the claims are true or just a marketing jinx.

See video below.

You must be wondering how does blue light affect sleep?

Blue light greatly suppresses the secretion of melatonin; a hormone that your brain produces in response to darkness.

Melatonin helps with the timing of your circadian rhythms (24-hour internal clock) and with sleep.

Although the majority of blue light comes from the sun, people who spend a lot of time in front of digital screens are at high risk of diminishing melatonin production and therefore poorer sleep.

A Doctor of Optometry, Dr. Joseph Allen in Minnesota, United States in a video recording about “If Blue light glasses works” says:

“I personally on an anecdotal level see a lot of patients who can go either direction. Some people will come back into the office saying, thank you so much for this blue light glass because they have reduced my eye strain on the computer while some people don’t really notice a benefit at all.

 

But again, the results are very mixed, I personally don’t find a huge benefit from the dark yellow tint, unless I’m currently experiencing a headache or a migraine”

Although people who spend a lot of time in from of computer screen are still at risk of eye strains and sleep interference, there are other ways to manage those which do not require computer glasses.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends the following tips for computer uses to protect against eye strain devoid of glass usage:

• Sit about 25 inches (arm’s length) from the computer screen. Position the screen so you are gazing slightly downward.
• Take regular breaks using the “20-20-20” rule: every 20 minutes, shift your eyes to look at an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
• When your eyes feel dry, use artificial tears to refresh them.
• Adjust your room lighting and try increasing the contrast on your screen to reduce eye strain. Use a matte screen filter if needed.
• If you wear contact lenses, give your eyes a break by wearing your glasses.
• If you contine to experience eye problem symptoms after following the above tips, then contact your ophthalmologist.
• The above tips helps prevents eye strains without the use of computer glass making them only scientifically proven for reducing blue light that affects sleep interference.

If you are a programmer and don’t really buy into the idea of using computer glasses, but still don’t want any form of sleep cycle interruption then you should do the following:

1. Reduce your amount of screen time, especially in the evening or better still do not code or use any sort of digital screen for at least two hours before going to bed.
2. If you must code, then use a blue light screen protector like the matte screen filter mentioned above or a blue light software like F.lux or turn on Night Shift in Macbooks.

Do Macs Need Blue Light Glasses?

Recent Mac computers have their default blue light filters called Night Shift that use your computer’s clock and geolocation to automatically shifts the screen display to a warmer or cooler spectrum depending on the time of the day making blue light glass a lesser necessity.

If you use a MacBook,  then go ahead and activate Night Shift. You can check out this Apple guide to see the activation guide as well as the system requirement.

Personally, I also set my Macbook to automatically adjust its color brightness.

When coding or writing an article just like this in a sunny garden, the brightness increases but reduces and adjusts accordingly in darker environment.

Conclusion

Programmers often wear glasses to reduce blue light intensity, prevent eye strains and improve eyesight.

However, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) opines that blue light-blocking glasses do not improve symptoms of digital eye strain but are still necessary for reducing bright blue light that affects circadian rhythms making it harder to fall asleep.

Blue light software like F.lux and Night Shift for Macs are really helpful in reducing blue light intensity.

AAO also suggests other safety tips for protecting against eye strain devoid of glass usage.

If eye symptoms persist, it’s advised to visit your ophthalmologist.

NOW OVER TO YOU…

Have you used computer glasses for coding or currently using blue light glasses of any sort?

Then I’d love to hear from you.

Share your experience with me in the comment section below.

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Till we meet again on another article,

Happy Coding!