Why are glasses with yellow lenses often used in sports? Answered by a doctor

The trend for glasses with yellow lenses is gaining momentum among athletes. There is an opinion that this is not just a fashion attribute – such an accessory blocks harmful blue light from the screens of mobile devices, helps the body to relax, prepare for sleep, more easily endure jetlag, and improve mood. Whether this is true, we find out with an expert.

What does science say about the effect of glasses with yellow lenses?

neurologist at the clinic of the Federal Network of Expert Oncology “Euroonco” in St. Petersburg

“In terms of protecting the eyes from ultraviolet light, yellow glasses are as beneficial to eye health as sunglasses of any other color.”

Sunglasses with yellow lenses are believed to block the blue spectrum of light – both from the sun and screens. This supposedly helps reduce eye strain and fatigue.

There is also an opinion that such an accessory helps with prolonged work at the computer, reducing the brightness of the screen and facilitating visual perception. However, it is important to note that scientific data on this issue is contradictory.

An overabundance of the blue part of the spectrum can somewhat overexcite the brain, and this can impair the process of falling asleep.

The blue spectrum of daylight is partially absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere, but when the sun is high or at its zenith, the absorption is reduced. Therefore, blue light predominates during periods of maximum sun exposure, that is, during the day, when the problem of falling asleep is not relevant.

Also blue light is in the glow of various screens of gadgets. Therefore, for better falling asleep, it is not recommended to use gadgets before going to bed.

As for the problem of jetlag: it does not depend on blue or any other light, but on the failure of the body’s “internal clock” when changing time zones. Therefore, using yellow glasses will not improve it in any way.

There is also an opinion that yellow glasses improve mood and help to cope with depression. This is not true, because mood disorders, including depression, are complex diseases, which are based on a violation of the production of certain substances by the brain, primarily serotonin and norepinephrine.

The course of such diseases depends on many factors, and yellow glasses do not improve the condition of such a patient.

However, there is no scientific data confirming the health benefits of yellow glasses.

How do yellow sunglasses work?

Like any other sunglasses, they cut off the ultraviolet part of the spectrum invisible to the eye, which is harmful both to healthy eyes and in case of diseases of the lens or retina.

Also, glasses with yellow lenses cut off (some almost completely) the blue part of the spectrum visible to the eye. Therefore, on a clear day when the sun is high and blue is predominant, they can improve contrast somewhat when looking toward the light.

On this basis, yellow sunglasses have gained popularity among tennis players, golfers – that is, those athletes who have to look towards the sun, for example, when following a ball during a game.

This can be important if the competition takes place in the middle of the day close to the equator, then the activity of the blue spectrum is maximized, and the contrast against this bright background deteriorates.

The more northerly the latitude, the less this effect will be, and in cloudy weather, cutting off the blue spectrum is not necessary at all.

It is also important to remember that you should not look for a long time in the direction of the sun even in yellow-colored glasses, you can get a very real burn.

At dusk or darkness, the reduction of any part of the color spectrum, including blue, can only worsen visibility, so drivers should not use yellow glasses in the dark.

What are the benefits and harms of yellow glasses?

The benefit in protection from UV rays is undoubted, but this is a property of glasses of any color. Cutting off the blue part of the spectrum is important for improving contrast only when the sun is very bright in areas closer to the equator.

The usefulness of yellow glasses for improving emotional background, normalizing sleep and overcoming jetlag is a myth.

Now yellow-colored glasses are actively advertised, they are very popular among athletes, and this influences our choice. However, there is no scientific data, any convincing research on this subject, or not yet.

Perhaps, if a person likes the yellow color or sincerely believes that these glasses will help in solving such problems, then why not use this gadget? There will certainly be no harm from it.