EXYRA has partnered with i=Change to help support and protect vulnerable women and children
We donate $1 to charity every time you buy
We donate $1 to charity every time you buy
We are proud to announce that we've partnered with i=Change to donate $1 for every transaction on EXYRA.
This means that every single time you buy you can make a difference to someone's life.
The charities we have chosen to work with are all organisations that work tirelessly to support and protect vulnerable women and children around the world. You can read more about them below.
The Charities We Support
restore women’s sight
protect Australian children
give a new start
Restore women’s sight
Restore sight to women and girls living with avoidable blindness
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults are 3 times more likely to go blind than other Australians, yet 94% of vision loss is preventable or treatable.
Women are also more likely to be blind than men. More than 20 million women in the world are blind.
In the developing world, women live with avoidable blindness because of tradition, culture and the role they play in society. In many cases, women simply can’t access or afford quality eye care.
Every dollar helps improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health. Read more about this charity over on i=Change.
Protect Australian children
Help create a society where children grow up free from abuse
An estimated 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 7 boys are sexually abused in Australia.
Child Wise delivers ‘Personal Safety’ training to teachers, to help them educate children about personal safety, body autonomy, safe and unsafe touch and encourage them to express their feelings, particularly if they feel unsafe. Children with increased awareness of body ownership are more assertive in expressing their feelings are less vulnerable to abuse.
Every $70 raised educates a teacher and provides a manual with activities, templates and resources to teach children personal safety. For every teacher Child Wise trains, 22 students will benefit and be less vulnerable to abuse. Read more about this charity over on i=Change.
Give a new start
Help a woman achieve financial independence
There are currently 346,000 women unemployed across Australia. Thousands of women are struggling and have lost their confidence.
Often the only thing standing between them and vastly improved circumstances - is a chance. We empower women to take back their confidence and overcome their barriers to gaining and sustaining employment.
Supporting a woman to lift herself out of hardship and distress, can enable her to build a brighter future for herself and her family. Not just for today, but for the rest of her life. Read more about this charity over on i=Change.
How It Works
1
Shop As Usual And Check Out
Make a purchase as usual. On completion of you purchase you’ll be presented with three options of our charities.
2
Choose Where To Send Your Donation
Select the cause closest to your heart and we donate $1 from your order total on your behalf.
3
Track The Impact
See in real-time how much your purchase has helped raise and how it's changing lives.
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Is Blue Light Harmful to the Skin?
Photograph: amanda dalbjorn/Unsplash
Is Blue Light Harmful to the Skin?
Our skin is one of the best indicators of our overall health. And because it’s always on display, problems with our skin’s condition can quickly lead to a loss of confidence.
Many of us follow a daily skincare routine and avoid exposure to the sun, but is this enough? Could other factors in our modern lifestyles be upsetting our skin’s delicate balance? One of the areas dermatologists are just starting to study is the effect of blue light on the skin. In this article, we look at the research and answer the question: Is blue light harmful to the skin?
What is Blue Light?
The light we see around us contains a whole spectrum of different colours. Light from the blue/violet end of that spectrum carries a lot of energy – in fact, it’s also known as HEV (High-Energy Visible) light. Because it carries so much energy, scientists are concerned that blue light may damage our skin and eyes – as well as affecting our sleep patterns.
Natural Sources
We’re exposed to blue light naturally, each and every day. Sunlight includes blue light and represents our number-one source of exposure. This natural exposure is limited to the daytime, and it’s something our bodies are programmed to respond to. But ideally, we should get a break from blue light once the sun goes down.
Artificial Sources of Blue Light
Unfortunately, there are many artificial sources of blue light, and our exposure to these is growing year by year. These include fluorescent and LED bulbs – which emit a lot of light from the blue end of the spectrum, as well as the screens of devices we use every single day. Yes – our addiction to laptops, tablets and smartphones means we’re all basking in the glow of blue light, deep into the night!
What are the Effects of Exposure?
Blue light may be causing widespread eye damage and kicking our circadian rhythms out of sync – leading to an insomnia epidemic! Research also suggests that too much blue light can harm the skin – something we’ll look at more in the next section.
The Effect on Our Eyes
Blue light is believed to be a leading cause of digital eyestrain – a common condition where our eyes become tired, irritated and unable to focus. Digital eyestrain results from spending too long looking at screens. Once, computers were the leading cause, but today many of us spend even longer on our smartphones and tablets. Long-term eye conditions like age-related macular degeneration may also be linked to excessive blue-light exposure.
How Does Blue Light Affect Our Sleep?
In simple terms, blue light encourages us to feel awake, energised and responsive to events around us. This natural reaction is OK if we’re exposed to blue light in the daytime, but it quickly becomes a problem if we’re exposed to blue light at night.
Hormonal changes lie behind this effect. Melatonin levels drop sharply when our skin and eyes are exposed to blue light. Melatonin is a hormone that’s vital for healthy sleep, so by lowering melatonin levels in the evening, blue-light exposure can cause sleep disruption.
Can Blue Light Damage Skin?
According to a study by Unilever Skincare Research, four eight-hour workdays in front of a computer exposes the skin to the same amount of energy as 20 minutes in the mid- afternoon sun. With millennials reportedly checking their phone up to 150 times a day and clocking more than 10 hours of screen time daily, blue light – or High Energy Visible (HEV) light – is shown to cause oxidative stress on the skin and create free radicals which threaten the integrity of collagen structures deep within the epidermis.
Susceptible to the blue light emitted from smartphones, computers and tablets, the fragile skin round the eyes is under the strain of 22 muscles in perpetual motion to help coordinate 10,000 blinks per day. As one of the first areas of the face to age naturally due to the lack of sebaceous glands, HEV light can exacerbate the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and sagging due to protein loss while slowing the skin’s healing processes which in turn leaves damaged cells in a state of senescence leading to unwanted pigmentation such as melasma.
“Blue light silently assaults the skin,” says EXYRA founder, Raymond Seubelan. “Unlike UV rays which can trigger immediate erythema and edema, blue light initially goes unnoticed but can, over time, weaken our skin’s barrier function and accelerate photo-ageing.”
A 2014 study by industry journal Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research also saw researchers compare skin exposed to blue light with skin exposed to UVB rays, the type of ultraviolet light that’s most closely associated with sunburns and skin cancer. While the skin exposed to blue light showed no signs of cancer growth, it did confirm that darker skin types are more vulnerable to blue light induced pigmentation around the forehead and eyes. Dubbed ‘screen face’, this melasma was recorded up to 3-months post the study.
The Links to UV Exposure
Over the past few decades, a lot of research has looked at the negative effects of UV (Ultra-Violet) radiation on the skin. UV exposure is known to cause sunburn in the short term, and prolonged exposure can cause premature skin aging, as well as raising the long-term risk of diseases including skin cancer.
UV rays are close to HEV light on the electromagnetic spectrum. A 2017 study on blue light suggested that it triggers the release of damaging ‘Reactive Oxygen Species’ (or ROS) in a similar way to UVA rays. Other studies have produced similar findings, suggesting that blue-light exposure leads to the production of potentially damaging free radicals.
This research suggests that both UV and blue light can harm the skin, but the effects of UV have attracted a lot more attention. Many people who avoid the sun and wear sunscreen do nothing to protect themselves from blue light. Scientists fear this could cause problems in years to come.
Preventing Skin Damage
Much of our exposure to blue light happens naturally, during the daytime, when we’re exposed to sunlight, but we can take smart steps to minimise the potential damage caused by excessive screen time.
Limit Your Screen Time
Try to limit your exposure to screens – especially during the evening/night. Try scheduling a 2/3-hour screen-free period each evening, before you go to bed. This could involve scheduling your work or study periods differently – or simply kicking your WhatsApp-checking habit!
Wear Blue-Light-Blocking Glasses
The skin around our eyes is 40% thinner than the skin on the rest of the face. This makes it especially susceptible to aging. Blue-light-blocking glasses are a simple and affordable way to protect this sensitive skin from damage. They can also protect our eyes themselves and limit the effects of blue light on our circadian rhythm.
Apply a Topical Cream
Many face creams are now formulated to include blue-light-fighting ingredients. These may counter the effects of blue light – in the same way that sunscreen can counter the effects of UV. (The best face creams actually cover you against exposure to both.)
Many experts now recognise that blue light is harmful to the skin, as well as being a leading cause of eyestrain and sleep disorders. But by following the three simple steps above, you can minimise the impact your tech use has on your skin’s health!
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How To Take Care Of Your Blue Light Glasses
How To Take Care Of Your Blue Light Glasses
EXYRA blue light glasses not only improve your vision, they also shield your eyes from UV rays and blue light. It just so happens that EXYRA glasses are quite fashionable, too!
Here are several ways to protect your eyeglasses.
Sanitize Your Eyeglasses
Each pair of EXYRA glasses comes with a premium lens cloth. Clothing and tissues shouldn’t be used to wipe your glasses. You might inadvertently take off the protective coating on your glasses if you use these materials. For optimal results, your frames should be cleaned on a regular basis with mild dishwashing soap, warm water, or a lens cleaning solution. Be careful when holding them - lenses are delicate no matter how sturdy the frames are.
Use a Case to Carry Your Eyeglasses Around
Each pair of frames we offer prevents glasses from getting crushed or scratched. People who keep their eyeglasses on their head don’t realize they are warping the frame’s form by doing so. The result: a frame that slips off your face.
Eyeglasses Shouldn’t Be Left in Hot Cars
Don’t let your eyeglasses sit on your vehicle’s dashboard. Severe heat can warp your frames and damage your lens. Think of your windshield as a magnifying glass in the sun.
Take Care of Your Eyeglass Frames
Use both hands when putting your eyeglasses on and off. When you do so with a single hand, your frames will gradually become looser. For correct application, use two hands to slide your glasses above your ears, then place them on top of your nose. To remove your eyeglasses, raise the frame’s arms, then pull them off your face.
Much like your automobile and home, your EXYRA glasses warrant regular care. We have small eyeglass screwdrivers to fasten screws on the frames if they become loose.
Fastening Loose Frames
Loose eyeglasses are a nuisance. They could slip right off your face and get damaged if you suddenly move. An expensive optometrist visit is needed when your eyeglasses warrant repairs. However, repairing loose frames can be done on your own with an eyeglass repair kit.
Fasten the screws on both sides of the frame. You’ll find a small screwdriver in your eyeglass repair kit. This tool can be used to keep the legs of the frame on the front of the eyeglasses.
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The Dangers of Digital Eyestrain and What You Can Do
The Dangers of Digital Eyestrain and What You Can Do
The world as we know it is changing and evolving at a shockingly rapid rate, and modern technology is now at the forefront of these changes and advancements. It may be hard to believe, but smartphones are not yet even ten years old, yet it can be hard to remember what life was like without them. Smartphones paved the way for the so-called ‘digital age’ and we are now more reliant on technology, especially smart tech, than ever before. Think about it: we do our banking online, we do our shopping online, we can even exchange money online, often with nothing more than our smartphones. Yes, technology has revolutionized the developed world, but there is a downside to this. Digital eyestrain is now a very frequently occurring condition that can affect people of all ages and genders. Currently, 66% of people own not only a smartphone but also a tablet as well as a laptop computer as well. 90% of these individuals use at least one of their devices for a minimum of two hours per day, with many people using them for much longer than that. Of these individuals, 70% of people have reported symptoms associated with digital eyestrain after using these devices, but what can be done? Let’s take a look, shall we?
What is Digital eyestrain?
Digital eyestrain is a condition which primarily affects your eyes, and it is believed to be caused by blue light. Blue light is not to be confused with ultra-violet light, as the two are very different to one another. Blue light, though close to UV light on light spectrums, is made up of incredibly short wavelengths, which in turn, means that it produces a significantly higher amount of energy than other forms of light. On average, the wavelengths of blue light will range from 380 nm to 500 nm. Experts, however, have found that there is significant evidence which appears to point to the fact that prolonged exposure to the blue light on the blue end of the light spectrum, could cause long-term damage to your eyes, which in this case, will come in the form of digital eyestrain. Blue light is all around us, and it is produced via our own sun, as well as from fluorescent light bulbs, and LEDs in our digital devices such as tablets, laptops, and smartphones. Digital eye strain is caused when the eyes constantly have to refocus themselves so that they can process text and graphics. Basically, it is caused because our eyes are having to work too hard, without enough of a break. Symptoms include:
• Headache
• Blurred vision
• Sore eyes
• Itchy eyes
• Fatigued eyes
• Neck pain
• Back pain
• Dry eyes
Are smart phones to blame?
In truth, smartphones are certainly partly to blame for the nation’s declining eye health, though there are of course other contributing factors. In Australia, a whopping 86% of all households own at least one smartphone, which is actually the same percentage of households that also own laptops. That means that laptops and smartphones are now equally as popular. What’s more, just under 70% of individuals (67% to be exact) rank their smartphones as one of their top three most valuable devices. Of course, we can’t forget our trusty TVs, though surprisingly, for millennials, laptops are actually more popular for TV viewing than television sets themselves. For movies, however, TVs are still the favored outlet as 71% of us would rather watch a movie on a TV set than a smaller screened device. So, with many of us now preferring smart devices and computers to TVs with smaller screens, not to mention the fact that more and more of us also work in front of a computer screen for several hours each week, it’s no wonder why our eyes are suffering so much.
What can be done to tackle digital eyestrain?
As you can see, modern technology appears to be here to stay, and with it becoming more advanced with each passing year, we will almost certainly become more reliant on it. Whilst this is generally a good thing, unfortunately, it’s not good for our eyes, but what can be done? Well, there are certain eye exercises you can do to help tackle the problem, plus you can purchase effective computer glasses, like those offered by EXYRA. Here are a few suggestions on how you can protect your eyes against digital eyestrain.
The 20-20-20 method – This method is incredibly effective, and is extremely simple to perform as well. Basically, whether you’re working at a computer, or simply watching videos on your smartphone, every 20 minutes, give yourself a 20-second break, and focus your eyes on an object which is roughly 20 feet away. Apparently you don’t need to be exact here, but try to be as precise as you can. This helps give your eyes a rest and stops them from straining, allowing them to refocus on the object in the distance. Repeat this several times throughout the day, and you will quickly find yourself experiencing noticeable improvements.
Computer glasses – As mentioned, computer glasses are incredibly beneficial for combating and preventing the symptoms associated with digital eyestrain. EXYRA for example, specializes in computer glasses that offer 100% UV protection and block harmful blue light rays that help to relax your vision, and protect your eyes from the dangers associated with digital eyestrain. The glasses provide a ultra-stylish design, they’re comfortable, and they will provide crystal clear vision throughout the day. Computer glasses look and feel just like any other glasses, with the added bonus of enhancing contrast and giving the wearer a whole new viewing experience.
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Sleep Disruption Because of Blue Light
Sleep Disruption Because of Blue Light
Everyone has done it: You’re lying in bed, scrolling through a newsfeed or laughing at a funny picture online. After a minute, or an hour, you turn off your screen, roll over, and close your eyes. You take a deep breath, and feel your whole body relax. An hour passes, then two, then three, as you toss and turn in your nice warm, dark room. Midnight comes, but sleep doesn’t. There are a dozen causes that could lead to insomnia, everything from caffeine to stress. As technology becomes more and more ubiquitous through our lives, researchers are looking into the effects of our computer usage on our sleeping patterns. The news isn’t good: Blue light emitted by our electronics is destroying our circadian rhythm. A lack of circadian rhythm effects our sleep cycle, our health, and how we can fix it.
Our bodies are biologically trained to sense days and nights. Before we had artificial lights, we needed to know when to be productive, when we could see, and when it was time for rest. In the age of artificial lights, and artificial stimulants such as caffeine, we choose to ignore our sense of day and night. Our bodies have not. Somewhere in the DNA, there is still an understanding that “Daytime is for working, nighttime is for sleeping.” Blue light triggers a sense that it is still daytime, and it takes a while for the body respond. Just because you’ve turned off your computer for the night doesn’t mean your body understands it’s time to sleep. Melatonin is a natural hormone that is produced in the pituitary gland, and it regulates sleep. If your circadian rhythm is off track, your body doesn’t know when to produce melatonin, resulting in chronic insomnia. In order to block blue light, shades or glasses are needed. EXYRA has produced the next generation of glasses for that purpose.
Insomnia effects tens of millions of people in the United States alone. There are many artificial supplements that can help regulate melatonin production and sleep cycles. If you are not happy about taking pills just to get to sleep, some behavior modification can help reset your circadian rhythm, and get your sleep cycle back on track. Purchasing glasses with a blue light filter will screen out the blue light from your computer. The easiest thing you can do to increase your restfulness at night is to turn off your screens at least one hour before bed. This will give your brain a chance to reset a little, and produce melatonin naturally.
The 21st century says never to rest, never to turn off, never to check out. You cannot be the best version of you if you don’t check out once and a while. Don’t be afraid to turn off your computer before bed. If you really cannot afford to, EXYRA has developed glasses that will reduce eyestrain and improve your work life.
Save Your Eyes From Computer Screens
Save Your Eyes From Computer Screens - Take Breaks When You're Working
Take a moment to assess your day at work. Are you taking breaks regularly? More often than not, job schedules come with long durations of work, with the only break coming at lunch. Were you aware, though, that those who take frequent short breaks as the day progresses are more productive and physically healthier than those who don’t?
We all know it’s difficult to pause your responsibilities if the workplace culture doesn’t encourage it. That said , breaking regularly on the job has proven to stimulate motivation, energy, and focus. Also, staff who take breaks are less inclined to suffer from eye-strain pain, headaches, or back issues.
Consider these suggestions that can aid you in optimizing your break time:
- Stop working every 90 minutes or so. Your mind has the ability to concentrate on a task for anywhere between 90 minutes to 2 hours. To reset your mind, experts advise taking a break every 90 minutes, which will allow you to collaborate with your brain rather than stress it out.
- Don’t take breaks at your workstation. Stepping away from the computer, sans-smartphone, will benefit your body, mind, and eyes! You’re more inclined to go on social media or surf the internet if you remain at your workstation. This will inhibit a recharge of your mind and distract you. Also, painful eye strains are the result of screen lights. Being away from a screen is an optimal approach to resolving this issue. To stop eye strain from happening, stick to the 20-20-20 rule .
- Take a walk, even if it’s just for five minutes . Walking has been proven to enhance levels of energy, and the advantages of incorporating more movement into your day are well documented. Exercising is a cumulative thing - you can get 40 minutes of walking in per day if you take just a five-minute walk per hour!
- Be aware. You’ve taken a break from working, moved away from the screen, and walked around for a bit. By taking a decent break, your calming your brain before you start working again. Even breathing deeply will aid your mind and alleviate stress. You can take on your responsibilities with a clear mind in doing so.
Each one of these suggestions will aid you in coordinating work breaks and make your day more productive. We are particularly partial to these concepts since they all deal with eye strain . This painful problem is becoming more commonplace in the office, but the effects can be minimized by taking regular breaks.
Integrating these recommendations with changes to your workstation and the way your screen is set up is the most optimal approach for eye strain management. You can shield your eyes from a computer screen by wearing glasses that are purposely created to filter out blue light emanating from digital screens. Eye strain is caused mostly by this blue light, so filtering it out is a great approach to dealing with its troublesome symptoms, even between breaks at work!
Are you prepared to create a more comfortable day at work? You can eliminate harmful lights with EXYRA glasses . Along with ongoing work breaks and a proper desk setup, you’ll be productive without consequence. Find the right glasses for your computer screen needs on our online store !
What is Digital Eye Strain?
What causes Digital Eye Strain?
Every day millions of people go to work around the world, and spend the majority of their time staring in to their computer screens. Most of those people will go home with a headache, and not always caused by their boss. That’s where EXYRA comes in. Digital Eye Strain and Computer Vision Syndrome has become the focus of many scientific studies over the last twenty years. Exyra glasses are formulated to be the best eyeglasses available to combat eyestrain. As digital devices have become almost universal, the workplace has become a perfect staging ground for a new type of condition: Digital Eyestrain. In order to combat this condition, we need to understand what causes it, what its long-term effects are, and how we can manage it.
Any type of eyestrain is caused when your eyes are exposed to uncomfortable situations. While your computer, tablet, or phone might not seem uncomfortable to use, your eyes see things a little differently. This has to do with the entire light spectrum. The light spectrum encompasses all forms of light, visible and invisible. Some colors you see are low energy and long wavelength, such as red and yellow. Others have high energy, and short wavelengths, such as blue and purple. In the chase to find clearer and brighter colors for digital devices, manufactures have edged ever closer to the high energy visible light. This “blue light” causes your eyes to work harder to process the images you are seeing. While not as intense, the strain you are feeling on your eyes from the computer is the same strain you feel looking directly at the sun.
So maybe your eyes hurt once in a while, every job has its draw-backs, right? Not so fast, eye pain is just one symptom. Computer Vision syndrome can lead to blurred or double vision, headaches, and even satellite pain in your neck or back. No, Computer Vision Syndrome isn’t going to kill you, but it can make a bad day exponentially worse. It is important to put a stop to it as soon as you feel the first twinge of pain in the back of your head.
The best way to deal with Computer Eye Strain is to modify your environment. If you are working on an old style monitor, upgrade to a new flatscreen. These have been shown to have less eyestrain for the users. It is also important to minimize glare. If you work in a bright white office, add a bit of color, something to look at while your eyes rest. Proper lighting also assists in reducing eyestrain. Optometrists can give your glasses an anti-glare coating, or if you wear contacts you can have a special pair of computer glasses ordered. Unfortunately, not everyone can make such changes to their workplace, or even afford them. Low cost solutions anyone can do include being sure to blink more, or get up a few times an hour to give your eyes something else to focus on.
You have to go to work, there’s no way around it. However, work doesn’t need to give you a headache. EXYRA has the perfect pair of glasses waiting for you. Take care of your eyes, and they will take care of you
Consequences of Digital Eye strain
Bringing Digital Eye Strain Into Focus
Everyone wants to be comfortable at work. If the work environment isn’t at least pleasant, everyone suffers. Office morale goes out the window, productivity plummets, and workers will leave the company like the building was on fire. One of the best things that can be done is to ensure that your eyes are taken care of. However, optical visits are expensive, and glasses seem like they are always dirty. What’s the big deal, anyways? It’s just a small headache at the end of the day, or is it more? EXYRA can help. We have spent years building the best eyewear to keep eyes healthy. Eye health, and the impact of eye strain has become a focus of many workplace investigations, and the health consequences may be more serious than first believed.
According to MedicineNet.com, minor symptoms of eye strain include dry eyes and blurred vision. While not life threatening, any distraction or minor inconvenience can lead to bigger problems, especially in high-stress situations. Blurred vision can be a hazard when driving, or reading a document. Dry eyes, or watery eyes, can cause the same problems with vision. Minor symptoms can be treated easily enough. Your ophthalmologist can prescribe you a pair of computer glasses to reduce glare, and blue light. If that’s not what you’re looking for, the solution could be as simple as getting up a few times an hour to give your eyes something else to look at. In most cases, treating minor eye strain is just a matter of small changes throughout your day.
A more severe symptom of eye strain, or computer vision syndrome, is constant headaches. These usually manifest themselves behind the eye, or at the back of the head. These headaches are usually minor, but persistent. Constant persistent headaches are a very real concern for those suffering from migraines. Even a minor headache can start a chain reaction that will end in a migraine. Light sensitivity also accompanies the headaches. Office spaces are known to use fluorescent lights. Fluorescent lights and light sensitivity don’t mix well, with the former often magnifying the effects of the latter.
One significant source of eyestrain is blue light, emitted from any computer screen, or energy efficient bulbs. According to the Harvard Health Letter, blue light has some great benefits during the day. Blue light attracts attention and boost moods. However, at night, it effects the human circadian rhythm. This disruption to the sleep cycle has been linked to several types of cancer, diabetes, and obesity. How can the same blue light have such different effects on the same body, just at different times of day? It is all about sleep. The blue light that is contributing to your eye strain is also doing a wonderful job at tricking your body to not know what time it actually is. Once your body is out of sync with itself, it loses track of when it can begin to repair damaged cells or tissues.
Digital Eye Strain is nothing to laugh about. A little problem can lead to bigger ones, or contribute to them. Fixing the small things can lead to a happier workplace environment, and a more productive team. EXYRA has created the optimal optical aid to combat eye strain, and prevent headaches.