Prominent Japanese eye health groups are urging caution over the use of blue-light-blocking glasses for children, arguing that a lack of exposure to sunlight increases the risk of myopia progression. 

The statement, issued by six groups including the Japanese Ophthalmological Society and the Japan Ophthalmologists Association, said although there are concerns that exposure to devices’ blue light late at night can cause sleep disorders – and there may be an argument for reducing exposure to blue light late in the evening – there is no basis for recommending children use blue-light-blocking glasses in the daytime as the blue light emitted from devices is at a level that can’t damage the retina.  

The risk of advancing myopia will rise if children are not exposed to enough sunlight, they said. “The possibility cannot be denied that using blue-light-blocking glasses does more harm than being exposed to blue light.”  

Similarly, The American Academy of Ophthalmology has issued a statement advising the public not to wear blue light-blocking glasses to prevent eyestrain, instead recommending adults and children who spend a lot of time on digital devices should take a break when they experience eyestrain.