Does Insurance Cover Blue Light Glasses?
Have you started noticing more people wearing glasses in the office? They could be wearing blue light glasses! Blue light is a colour in the visible light spectrum emitted from sunlight and digital devices. In a world where we want to stay connected and have increased screen time every year, we’re exposed to more blue light than ever before.
Over time, blue light can cause digital eye strain, headaches and negatively impact your sleeping habits. To combat these symptoms, many people have turned to wearing blue light glasses regularly. As they are important for eye health, you may be wondering whether or not your insurance covers blue light glasses. Read more to find out.
What are blue light glasses?
Blue light glasses are beneficial for blocking out blue light from screens and digital devices with a protective surface on the lenses. These can be prescription or non-prescription lenses, which are specifically designed to reduce the amount of blue light reaching the human eye.
Blue light blocking coating
Our zFORT® blue light blocking technology helps to block out the blue light wavelength, which can scatter and cause damage to the eye over time. By reducing the penetration of the wavelengths, zFORT® blue light filtering lenses help to protect your eyes and block blue light.
Why do I need to wear blue light glasses?
If you frequently use digital technology, blue light glasses will help you maintain your eye health. Although exposure to blue light from the sun is normal, we’re now overexposed to this light inside thanks to our digital devices and screens. Blue light can cause insomnia, digital eye strain, headaches and blurred vision. We recommend wearing blue light filter glasses when you’re in front of computers or scrolling on your phone.
Does insurance cover blue light glasses?
Vision insurance can significantly reduce the cost of eyeglasses, sunglasses, or contact lenses. But does it cover blue light glasses? The answer depends on your insurance type.
To get the most out of your buying experience, you must be informed about your insurance policy and use your optical extras when purchasing prescription glasses.
What are optical extras?
Optical Extras are a health benefit that covers vision care either completely or partially. This can include covering optical items such as glasses and contact lenses. Not all insurance plans include vision coverage, so we advise checking the details of your current plan or any plan you’re considering.
Does my health insurance include optical extras?
Not all insurance plans include vision benefits, and not all optical extras are the same. The Australian healthcare system includes Medicare and private health insurance. Medicare covers the cost of some public hospital services and some of the costs of other health services, including vision care.
Private health insurance will usually cover a portion, or all, of hospital treatments and extras that you have on your plan. Medicare will cover a portion or all of your eye exam depending on the practice and tests required. Whether you have private health insurance or Medicare, it is best to check directly with your provider to find out what you are covered for. Furthermore, we advise contacting your vision insurance directly to determine if they will pay for your glasses.
DID YOU KNOW?
Why use your vision insurance with us?
Interested in finding a pair of blue light glasses? Vision Direct has hundreds of frames for you to explore from the comfort of your own home. The best part is you can use our Virtual Try-On tool to see yourself wearing the frames online. The tool will also determine your face shape and recommend the most flattering glasses for you. Once you have found your ideal pair, you can add blue light block at checkout. With your blue light glasses you can start reducing your headaches, digital eye strain, and sleep better at night!
Why blue light is unhealthy
If your eyes are constantly exposed to blue light, this can damage your retina and cause vision problems, such as age-related macular degeneration.
Another reason why blue light is unhealthy is because it can trick your brain into thinking it’s daytime, even when it’s night. Exposure to blue light before you go to bed can interrupt sleep, as it stops the body from producing the sleep hormone, Melatonin. Melatonin is what helps your body to wind down and get ready for sleeping.
Health problems associated with blue light exposure
There are various health problems linked to overexposure to blue light. These can include digital eye strain, blurry vision, insomnia and interrupted sleep at night, and Macular degeneration. You are at an increased risk of developing these issues if your screen time is high, such as spending endless hours staring at computer screens.
Furthermore, blue light can also disrupt your Circadian Rhythm. Your Circadian Rhythm is a 24-hour cycle that is part of your body’s internal clock, which carries out essential functions. Your body’s circadian clock responds to light, acting as a signal to be awake, and dark, as a signal to fall asleep. Therefore, if you stare at phones before you sleep, this light can keep you more alert, which is where blue light blocking glasses come in, to reduce exposure of blue light. Research shows that we often blink less when staring at screens, which also leads to dry eyes.
Furthermore, blue light can also disrupt your Circadian Rhythm. Your Circadian Rhythm is a 24-hour cycle that is part of your body’s internal clock, which carries out essential functions.
Your body’s circadian clock responds to light, acting as a signal to be awake, and dark, as a signal to fall asleep. Therefore, if you stare at phones before you sleep, this light can keep you more alert, which is where blue light blocking glasses come in, to reduce exposure of blue light. Research shows that we often blink less when staring at screens, which also leads to dry eyes.
The benefits of blue light glasses
If you spend many hours looking at digital devices you are likely to notice a difference when wearing blue light blocking glasses. This is because blue light is harmful for different reasons, such as affecting sleep patterns, causing eye fatigue and digital eye strain.
Blue light glasses are the best way to help reduce these symptoms and avoid discomfort when using smartphones or other devices.
Can you add blue light coating to existing lenses?
Yes, you can add blue light coating to existing lenses, by visiting your local optometrist and getting it added. Alternatively, if you select a pair of glasses online, you can choose to add blue light at checkout, giving you endless options for blue light-blocking glasses.
Can I get a prescription for blue light glasses?
No, you do not need a prescription for your blue light glasses, as it is technology that helps to filter blue light with many benefits. We recommend talking to your eye doctor to get more advice concerning your glasses prescription. However, once you have chosen the right pair of glasses for you online, you can select ‘Lens with blue light block’.
So, can you claim blue light glasses on health insurance?
As mentioned, it simply depends on your vision insurance company and your type of insurance. We recommend contacting your insurer to check if blue light glasses are covered. Don’t forget to browse our range of blue light glasses to match your lifestyle and protect your eyes with blue light blocking glasses, especially if you are always surrounded by screens and smartphones.
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