Watchdog Tonight

[mikey4444]

I have been watching Watching this evening and the piece on the special specs that both Boots and Vision Express were fobbing people off with was very worrying.

Despite Watchdog proving that there was no evidence of damage to the eyes due to "blue light", Boots and Vision Express both still continued to deny that they were at fault in any way. My own Optician, an old family firm, told me in January that the blue light thing was just a scare and a scam to get you to spend more money.

In the same program, there was a piece about the usual wide-boy shyster, this time in chairs for people with medical conditions, the sort of things Matt Albright is a master at uncovering. There were all the usual sharp practise going on, and I don't expect anybody was at all surprised by this in any way.

The difficulty with the glasses scam, was that both companies are well-known High Street names and Boots especially has been going to yonks. It really shouldn't be happening to retailers of this calibre...or should it ?

If we are not safe in Boots, where are we safe ?

[Tilly2]

I didn't watch it, Mikey. What's this blue light thing all about?

[Buenchico]

For Tilly2:
https://www.asa.org.uk/Rulings/Adjudications/2015/10/Boots-Professional-Services-Ltd/SHP_ADJ_293200.aspx

[mikey4444]

Its a scare story that the optician have been putting about, to get us to pay for something we don't need.

Blue light is given off by screens in our phones and computers, and it was alleged that this was harmful, causing long-term damage to the eyes, tiredness, headaches and even age related macular degeneration.

The program produced two leading experts that showed that the amount of blue light that these devices gave off was very, very small indeed, and that it didn't involve any risk whatsoever.

But the opticians quoted refused to accept this.

[mikey4444]

Thanks Chris....it should be on the iplayer any moment now.

[agchristie]

Should have gone to Specsavers!

[Tilly2]

Thank you, Chris. I don't use Boots so had not come across this misleading sales pitch.

[Tilly2]

....I do go to Specsavers. No mention of blue light there.

[ubasses]

I use a small independent, the subject has never been raised.

[mikey4444]

I would like to predict that sometime over the next 24 hours, both firms will come clean and tell us that they have stopped actively selling these useless and unnecessary glasses.

Watchdog has a enviable reputation of bringing the high and mighty down to earth with a bump.

[pastafreak]

I've heard about the blue light in relation to pc screens and eye fatigue. There's a bit of kit you can download that adjusts the light according to the time of day. It's free.

[mikey4444]

Pastafreak....it would appear that whether its free of not, we don't need it.

There is nothing to be concerned about !

[gingejbee]

Anybody who finds their computer screen is too blue (particularly in the evening or near bedtime) should try the f.lux software (which was recommended by Computeractive magazine)...the softer, warmer screen colour is much kinder to your eyes - it adjusts your screen tone automatically as the evening progresses.
Free download from f.lux....


https://justgetflux.com/

[pastafreak]

That's the one gingebee. ;-)

[mikey4444]

One of the many false claims that the Opticians made tonight, is that this dreadful blue light was responsible for making people tired, and it was pointed out by the expert that if anything, blue light woke us up !

So...relax everybody, but watch the program anyway, as it covered other interesting items as well.

[gingejbee]

pasta...I've had it for some months and find it really easy on the eyes as the evening progresses.
There is a difference, mikey, between paying for special lenses and simply making your screen "easier on the eyes" ....try it.

[gingejbee]

mikey..."blue light wakes us up"....yes, that's the problem. You don't want to be in a "wake-up" mode just before going to bed.

[pastafreak]

And doing it for free.

[pastafreak]

That was for your first comment at 21.43,ginge

[Cloverjo]

My son has been wearing orange-tinted glasses in the evening for a few years, now. I'm not convinced they do any good, but he seems to be.

I prefer the orangey light that my iPhone has in the evening, but can't get it on my iPad.

[Old_Geezer]

First I've heard of potential damage. Had only heard that it tended to prevent you getting ready to sleep (which is why I'm amazed that a mobile app to help you sleep, I have on my mobile phone, is full of blue screens).