Pandemic-era kids are spending an alarming amount of time in front of digital devices—presenting a prime time for ECPs to step in with effective blue light eyewear solutions.
The Covid-19 pandemic condensed the landscape of most classrooms to computer screens—resulting in a surge of screen time for young eyes.
In fact, during the pandemic, screen time doubled for children ages 6-12, according to data from technology company SuperAwesome.
And, yes, with more digital screen time comes more blue light exposure.
In an April 2021 poll conducted by The Vision Council, 70% of eyecare providers reported increased blue light glasses sales over the past year. With this in mind, talking to parents about protecting their child’s vision while they’re in your practice is truly a crucial business opportunity.
Looking to tap into profitable plano blue light eyewear solutions for pandemic-era (and device-dependent) kids?
On the following page, we serve up a lineup of eight staple solutions to offer at your practice.
—KERRI ANN RAIMO
The BluTech collection from ClearVision Optical offers blue light protection for wearers of all ages, including frames in fun colorways for kids. BluTech Lenses are clinically proven to help regulate the body’s natural melatonin production; in a study conducted by Nova Southeastern College of Optometry, the participants experienced a 96% increase in melatonin production when used at least three hours before bedtime. Added bonus? Any frame in the ClearVision portfolio can offer BluTech protection via the company’s Make It BluTech program. cvoptical.com
The Fila Kids eyewear collection from De Rigo REM offers two styles with blue light lenses to protect eyes from harmful rays emitted by digital devices. The VF9461 and the VF9463 (pictured) feature signature brand elements like the “F” logo plaque in baby blue. derigo.us
The SafetyBlue brand was started by a husband-and-wife duo, both graphic designers, who experienced the effects of severely tired eyes firsthand. The brand’s new line for kids, SafetyBlue Jr., filters damaging blue (and green) light in order to promote healthy sleep cycles. safetyblueblockers.com
Frames in the Felix Gray line for kids feature polycarbonate lenses engineered to filter 68% of the most impactful range of blue light, while eliminating 99% of glare and offering 100% UV protection. Above, the Nash model serves up structured style in the aquamarine colorway. felixgray.com
Look Optic promotes its blue light eyewear via micro-influencers on Instagram, including child model and dancer Kendall Annalise (pictured). “How I show up to school when I’m ready to ace my science test!” she shared in her Look Optic frames via her Instagram page, @kendallchronicles. lookoptic.com
Kids Swannies Blue Light Blocking Glasses by Swanwick are offered in both the company’s day and night lens options. Night Swannies were scientifically validated in a study by the University of Washington and Indiana University, which showed that using the frames significantly improved sleep quality/quantity and performance the following day. swanwicksleep.com
Pixel Eyewear promises glare-, smudge-, and scratch-free lenses that filter 50% of harmful blue light and up to 95% at the strongest wavelengths, without a yellow tint. Here, the Ventus style is a youthful display of blue light-filtering tech in the cotton candy colorway. pixeleyewear.com
The GlamBaby brand, created by Arian Fartash, O.D., features trendsetting styles offering blue light protection, including the Parker frame, pictured. “No matter how hard we try to limit screen time for our children, it seems inevitable that they end up using digital devices,” writes Dr. Fartash in a blue light-centric blog post. “Whether it be at school while learning, at home, in the car, or at restaurants to keep them distracted.” officialglambaby.com
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