Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 29, 2025
Measuring the Behavioral Effects of Intraocular Scatter
Published on: February 18, 2021
A double-blind test of blue-blocking filters on symptoms of digital eye strain
Mark Rosenfield1, Rui Ting Li1, Nancy T Kirsch1
1SUNY College of Optometry, New York, NY, USA.
Background:
Many ophthalmic lens manufacturers are currently marketing blue-blocking filters, which they claim will reduce symptoms of Digital Eye Strain (DES). However, there is limited evidence to support the proposal that DES results from the blue light emitted by electronic screens.
Objective:
This investigation compared the effect of blue-blocking filters on DES symptoms with a no-filter lens, using a double-blind methodology.
Methods:
Twenty-four subjects were required to perform a 20-minute reading task from a tablet computer. They wore either lenses containing a blue-blocking filter (TheraBlue 1.67 or TheraBlue polycarbonate) or a CR-39 control lens which did not include a filter. Immediately following each session, subjects completed a questionnaire to quantify symptoms of DES.
Results:
While a significant increase in symptoms was observed immediately following the near vision task (p = 0.00001), no significant difference in symptoms was found between the 3 lens conditions (p = 0.74).
Conclusions:
There is little evidence at this time to support the use of blue-blocking filters as a clinical treatment for DES. Management of other ocular factors, as well as the creation of an optimal environment for screen viewing, are more likely to provide greater success in minimizing symptoms.
