June 15, 2025

Blue light, tired eyes, and a supplement that may help

While researching for my recent post about rethinking my scrolling habits before bed, I stumbled upon something deeper. I kept coming across info about blue light and how it can mess with both your sleep and your eyes. Then – almost like the universe was nudging me – I happened to get even more insight during a wellness training I recently attended (thank you so much for the invite, Jill!). Suddenly, the pieces just clicked!

So this article? It’s part personal experience, part research deep dive, and part “the stars aligned” moment that helped me connect the dots between screen time, eye fatigue, and something I’m now adding to my wellness routine.

Between work emails, Peloton classes, bedtime Kindle reading, and (let’s be real) having our phones serve as appendages to our bodies – screens are part of our everyday existence. But all that screen time comes with a downside – eye strain, disrupted sleep, and overall fatigue.

Lately, I’ve been digging into the science behind why our eyes feel so tired – and whether anything can help beyond just turning the brightness down. 

Let’s talk about blue light, what it does to your eyes, and how one supplement I discovered at that training might offer some inside-out support.

What Does Blue Light Actually Do to Your Eyes?

Blue light is part of the visible light spectrum, and it’s especially strong in the light emitted by phones, tablets, and computer screens. While it’s not inherently “bad,” prolonged exposure (especially at night) can mess with our eyes and sleep cycles.

Here’s how:

✔️ Eye Strain & Fatigue: Too much screen time leads to something called digital eye strain, which feels like dryness, headaches, or blurred vision. 

✔️ Dry Eyes: We blink less when staring at screens, reducing moisture on the eye’s surface.

✔️ Disrupted Sleep: Blue light suppresses melatonin, the hormone that helps us fall asleep.

✔️ Possible Long-Term Effects: Some studies suggest overexposure could increase risk for retinal damage (though more research is needed on this topic).

I started wondering…aside from adjusting habits (which I try to do, cue yesterday’s post) is there something that can help support our eyes from the inside?

Enter IC Bright: A Supplement for Screen-Stressed Eyes

I came across IC Bright by LifeVantage, a supplement specifically designed for people like us – those spending hours each day in front of screens. The ingredients caught my eye (pun intended!), because many are backed by solid science:

What’s Inside:

✔️ Lutein & Zeaxanthin: These are natural pigments found in leafy greens…AND in the retina. They filter harmful blue light and protect against oxidative stress.

✔️ Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These support eye lubrication and overall retinal health.

✔️ Bilberry Extract: This is traditionally used to reduce eye fatigue and to support night vision.

✔️ Antioxidants (Vitamins C, E, Zinc, Copper): These help combat oxidative stress in eye tissues, especially from screen exposure.

IC Bright isn’t a magic pill…but it’s designed to help filter blue light from the inside, support visual performance, and even promote healthier sleep patterns.

NOTE: The individual ingredients are well-studied, especially lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3s. They’ve been shown to reduce eye fatigue and support retinal health. However, IC Bright itself hasn’t been studied as a full product in clinical trials. So while the formula is promising, the results are inferred from its ingredients.

Still, as someone trying to keep up with emails, workouts, dinner prep, bedtime stories, and the latest Colleen Hoover binge-read, I’m always looking for ways to feel better and protect my health proactively. Adding this supplement was therefore a no-brainer.

Wearing Many Hats While Protecting My Eyes

In this season of life where we juggle all the things, our vision (literally) deserves some love. I’m adding IC Bright to my wellness routine and keeping up with my blue light filters, 20-20-20 breaks, and actually putting my phone down before bed. 

If your eyes are feeling the effects of all that screen time too, IC Bright might be worth exploring for you, too.

You can check it out here. I’m always happy to answer questions or share what’s worked for me!