Blue light blocking eyewear, also known as blue light glasses, are designed to reduce the amount of blue light exposure from digital screens, artificial lighting, and other sources. Blue light is a high-energy, short-wavelength light that is emitted by various devices such as smartphones, computers, and televisions. While blue light is naturally present in sunlight and has some positive effects on our body's circadian rhythm and mood, excessive exposure to blue light from digital screens, especially during the evening, has been associated with disruptions in sleep patterns and potential eye strain.

The main idea behind blue light blocking eyewear is to filter out or block a portion of the blue light spectrum to reduce the potential negative effects of prolonged exposure.

Blue light blocking glasses use various technologies to filter out or absorb blue light. Some common methods include:

1. Coatings: Glasses can be coated with special materials that selectively block blue light. These coatings are often transparent and can be applied to prescription eyeglasses or non-prescription lenses.
2. Tinted Lenses: Some blue light glasses have lenses with a noticeable yellow or amber tint. These tints absorb a portion of blue light and can provide a warmer, more soothing light to the eyes.
3. Anti-Reflective Coatings: These coatings are not specifically designed for blue light blocking, but they can indirectly help by reducing glare and reflections from screens, which may contribute to eye strain.

Do they work – The effectiveness of blue light blocking glasses is a topic of debate. Some studies suggest that blue light blocking glasses can indeed reduce eye strain and improve sleep quality, especially when used during the evening hours. However, the overall impact may vary from person to person.

The general consensus on this debate however, is that firstly the science is not there to back this claim that “blue ray eyewear actually works.” Many also believe that it’s marketed as a solution to eye strain & as a protectant of the retina, but controversially claim they do not work for the things they are advertised for. While they are successful in blocking out blue light, it isn’t something necessary to be blocked out for maintaining good ocular health. 

Doctors & specialists believe many people experience eye discomfort from digital screens, but most of the issues actually fall under a term called computer vision syndrome (CVS). CVS is a broad range of eye strain and discomfort issues wherein one’s eyes are constantly shifting focus and moving while looking at the screen. Plus, the glare and contrast can be tough on the eyes. So, although one may be experiencing eye irritation from a long day working on a computer, one’s eye discomfort is not directly from the blue light itself.

One more thing worth mentioning is that, blue light can suppress our natural melatonin (hormone responsible for making one fall asleep) production, making it hard to sleep if there is increased screen exposure at night. So while the glasses will not protect you from long-term retina damage, and may not safeguard against eye strain, they can be a useful tool for screen use in the evenings.

What can one do to reduce eye strain:

• 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.

The concept of blue light blocking glasses isn't attributed to a single inventor or discovery. Around the late 2010s, the effects of blue light exposure grew and concerns about digital eye strain and sleep disruptions emerged. Eyewear manufacturers jumped on the opening & began developing glasses with blue light filtering technologies. Over time, various companies have introduced their own versions of blue light blocking eyewear, each with slightly different approaches to achieving the desired reduction in blue light exposure. Again, due to the increased fear at the time, these glasses felt revolutionary but safe to say they were nothing more than a gimmick since orthopaedics still suggest to wear regular prescription glasses which are just fine.

Pros:

1. Improved Sleep: Wearing blue light blocking glasses in the evening can potentially help improve sleep quality by reducing the impact of blue light on the body's production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles.
2. Potential for Reduced Disruptions: Filtering out blue light might help minimize disruptions to circadian rhythms, which can be particularly important for individuals who use digital devices close to bedtime.
3. Comfort: Some users report that the tinted lenses of blue light blocking glasses provide a more comfortable viewing experience by reducing glare and harshness from screens.
4. Preventive Measure: Using these glasses can be seen as a preventive measure against potential long-term effects of excessive blue light exposure, although more research is needed to fully understand these effects.

Cons:

1. Limited Scientific Consensus: The scientific community is still researching the extent of the benefits of blue light blocking glasses. While some studies suggest positive effects, there isn't yet a broad consensus on their effectiveness.
2. Cost: Blue light blocking glasses can be more expensive than regular glasses due to the specialized coatings or materials used.
3. Aesthetics: Some users might not prefer the appearance of glasses with yellow or amber-tinted lenses, which are common in blue light blocking eyewear.
4. Reduced Exposure to Natural Blue Light: Filtering out blue light might also reduce exposure to natural blue light, which plays a role in mood regulation and maintaining healthy circadian rhythms.
5. Effectiveness Depends on Usage: The benefits of blue light blocking glasses are more pronounced for individuals who spend significant time in front of digital screens. If you don't use screens extensively, the benefits might be less noticeable.
6. Potential Overreliance: Relying solely on blue light blocking glasses might lead some individuals to neglect other healthy screen-related habits, such as taking regular breaks and adjusting screen settings.

Indian Market:

There is a great shift in the eyewear industry in India, where people are becoming more conscious and want to keep everything perfect—literally everything perfect. Notable, when it comes to vision, who is not going to pay attention when it becomes life-threatening in the latter days? So, it's better to get a test sooner rather than later.

Indian Eyewear Industry is one of the fastest-growing retail industries in the country. It has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by a number of factors such as increasing consumer awareness about eye care, rising disposable income, and a growing preference for fashion-forward eyewear products. The growth of e-commerce has also been a major factor in the growth of the Indian eyewear industry, making it easier for consumers to purchase eyewear products from the comfort of their homes.

The spectacles market is divided into 3 parts – spectacles, sunglasses & contact lenses. Spectacles hold the overall highest share at around 60%, followed by 35% for sunglasses and the remaining with contact lenses. Of the 60% who wear spectacles, it would be a maximum of 15% who own/wear blue light blocking spectacles.

The low percentage reason is mainly due to the lack of any scientific evidence regarding its benefits, however many people when buying new spectacles often get persuaded in buying the blue light blocking spectacles because one, they don’t mind the price hike and two, the salesman more or less persuades them with the notion that “it’s better for you.”

In 2023, the revenue generated in the Eyewear market of India is estimated to be $5.58bn and it is anticipated that the market will grow at an annual rate of 8.17%, representing a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2023 and 2027.

Moreover, the volume in this market is expected to increase to 468.10m pieces by 2027, such that in 2024, a volume growth of 6.6% is expected in the Eyewear market of India.It is interesting to note that by 2023, 94% of sales in the Eyewear market will be attributable to Non-Luxury.India has a growing demand for affordable eyewear, with a focus on stylish frames and prescription lenses.

The major players would include a mix of domestic & international companies such as:

• Titan Eyeplus:Titan, famously known for watches, launched its eyewear division Titan Eyeplus in 2007. The Titan company owned by Tata group has consumer trust by serving the consumer with quality produced at a fair price for almost four decades. Even the subsidiary of Titan, Fastrack has its presence in the eyewear industry.
• Fastrack Eyewear:Fastrack Eyewear is a subsidiary of Titan Company, offering a range of stylish and affordable eyewear products, including sunglasses, spectacles, and prescription eyeglasses.
• Vogue Eyewear:A subsidiary of Luxottica Group, Vogue Eyewear is a leading brand in the eyewear industry, offering a range of stylish and fashionable eyewear products, including sunglasses and prescription eyeglasses.
• Lenskart: Lenskart is one of the largest online eyewear retailers in India, offering a wide range of spectacles, contact lenses, and sunglasses. It was founded by Peyush Bansal (of Shark Tank fame), a former Microsoft employee in 2010 along with Amit Chaudhary and Sumeet Kapahi. The company has a strong presence in both online and offline markets and has been successful in providing affordable and accessible eye-care solutions to the Indian population.
• Ray-Ban:Ray-Ban is one of the most popular and recognizable eyewear brands in India, offering a wide range of high-quality sunglasses and optical frames. The brand has a strong reputation for its classic and stylish designs and has been successful in attracting both young and older customers.
• Himalaya Optical:Himalaya Optical is a popular eyewear brand in India, known for its quality and affordable products. The company offers a wide range of eyewear products, including spectacles, contact lenses, and sunglasses, and has a strong presence in both online and offline markets. Himalaya Optical is known for its commitment to customer satisfaction and its focus on providing high-quality eye care solutions to the Indian population.

One interesting take from all of this is, that around 40% Indians wear glasses, which means 60% do not wear glasses. Quite interestingly, this entire 60% is essentially a target market for blue ray blocking eyewear because firstly you don’t need to have power in your eyes to wear such these glasses. Powerless blue ray blocking eyewear is also available and they usually tend to combine these glasses with fashion to make it more appealing to someone without power to purchase them. Taking the example of LensKart, the biggest eyewear brand in India now, offer only 4 different (powerless) frames for blue ray blocking eyewear but all 4 of them look fashionable/sturdy to the extent consumers still want to buy these glasses without them having any evident benefit as discussed above already. Not only is this a great marketing technique, it has inadvertently boosted this particular eyewear segment. New & budding eyewear brands can definitely borrow a page from their book to kick-start their own growth in this sector.

Furthermore, the growth of this industry is expected to continue in the coming years, driven by rising demand for eye care products and services.