Using Blue Light Filtering Lens Sales to Boost Profits

Does it seem like everyone is talking about blue light filter glasses these days? It seems to be one of the hottest new trends. It could be because society spends most of its time on electronic devices, and we are noticing more problems associated with screen exposure. High-energy blue light rays can reach deep into the eye, cause eye strain, and, in more severe cases, retinal damage. Blue light filtering glasses are designed to filter out blue light rays emitted by screens such as smartphones, laptops, iPads, and televisions. Studies have shown that blue light affects our circadian rhythm, natural wake, and sleep cycle, but there is no detailed study that blue light filter glasses help with eye strain. Most optometrist and ophthalmologists can agree that blue light filters can help regulate sleep and may help reduce the symptoms of eye strain. 

According to the Vision Council, over 35% of Americans experience eye strain, dry eyes, headaches, blurred vision, or neck and shoulder pain associated with digital eye strain. Also, nearly seven out of 10 people reported they didn't know that glasses could help with digital eye strain. With those statistics in mind, I must wonder why are we not educating our patients? In the optical world, we have learned that sometimes we need to pay attention to the trends, and with blue light filtering glasses gaining momentum, why are we leaving profits on the table? If you have not already added a blue light filter to your pitch, consider these tips to increase sales:

Who is the perfect candidate for blue light filtering glasses?

Anyone who spends time on a digital device can benefit from having blue light filtering glasses. People tend not to associate a headache or blurred vision with screen usage, and that is something that only education can help. When a patient is in your chair, you have the perfect opportunity to educate them on the damage that electronic devices can cause and what they can do to help prevent it. For many, blue light filtering glasses can help them battle the symptoms of eye strain and regulate their sleep patterns. When you are recommending lenses for your patient, you should always offer a blue-light filter. Never assume what someone is willing to spend on their glasses. You should always provide the best possible lenses available for your patients' eyewear.

When explaining blue-light filtering lenses, you should focus on the benefits:

Helps regulate sleep

We are regularly exposed to blue light from sunlight, televisions, smartphones, computers, omnipresent LED light bulbs, and many other devices. The brain associates blue light with daytime, so when we spend long periods on our devices, it can be challenging to fall asleep or even wake up.  

Helps elevate the symptoms associated with eye strain

Blue light rays cause not all eye strain, but it can cause eye strain. Adding a blue light filter can help alleviate headaches, muscle cramps, blurred vision, and overall sleep patterns.

Reach out to your manufacturers and ask them for educational material to educate your patients. To inform your patients, you must properly understand what a specific lens offers. Who better to learn from, than your supplier? Many provide an anti-reflective coating with a built-in blue light filter, which is perfect for people who want to eliminate glare, but they can also block out harmful blue light rays.

And for patients with serious sleep disorders, we might want to consider filtering green light at night.  In 1991 a study in Sleep by Horne et al. showed that green light from 500-530nm suppresses melatonin. In 2010, Dr. Joshua Goole, et al. showed that green light close to the 550nm spectrum had a similar effect on suppressing melatonin as that of blue light. Green spectrum light from 500-550nm has a varying effect on suppressing melatonin before bed from what the literature is showing.

Most of us aren’t going to call it a day at 8:00 pm. And most patients aren’t giving up their nightly Netflix/social media routines anytime soon.

There’s a clear problem/opportunity scenario here. We’re in the perfect position to educate and provide the right solutions.

Ready-to-sell

One of the great things about blue light filtering glasses is that everyone needs them, and you can capture a vast range of clientele. This includes: Contact lens wearers and people who do not need glasses for vision correction. It would be best if you considered having ready-to-sell blue light filtering glasses available. These frames make a great example to show your patients, and it will help target impulse shoppers. People tend to gravitate towards things they can immediately take home. With a 1-2 week turnaround time on glasses, having ready-to-sell blue light filtering glasses can help motivate the buyer for instant gratification. You can purchase ready-to-sell eyewear with blue light filter lenses from a manufacturer, or you can have some made with frames that are already in your office.

While most trends die down, blue light filtering glasses might become a staple. At least for the moment, they seem to be holding on strong. You can purchase them almost anywhere, and with large retailers weighing in, you must ask yourself, why am I not offering this?