From your work computer to your personal cell phone, most people spend hours upon hours each day staring endlessly at a screen as they navigate the demands of modern life. The convenience and connectivity that screens provide are undeniable, and the digital realm has become a necessary component that can help you with everything from shopping to staying in touch with friends and family. But alongside all of the major benefits may also be some downsides, and more and more frequently people have begun complaining about headaches, eye strain, and even trouble sleeping at night. Unfortunately, these common symptoms all tend to have the same cause, and if you’ve found yourself suffering and wondering why, then the answer is most likely: blue light. 

A type of of high-energy visible (HEV) light that is emitted by digital screens, blue light has garnered attention for its potential impact on our well-being. Recent studies conducted have found that prolonged exposure, especially at night, can affect the body’s natural circadian rhythm, and it has also been associated with digital eye strain which can manifest as dry eyes, headaches, and difficulty focusing. But in today’s increasingly interconnected world, choosing to completely forgo any screen time is rarely a realistic option, which is why it may be worthwhile to try a different tactic and invest in a pair of blue light blocking glasses. 

What are Blue Light Blocking Glasses?

Designed to protect your eyes from the harmful effects of too much screen time, blue light blocking glasses are a specialized piece of eyewear that utilizes advanced lens technology to filter out or reduce the amount of HEV blue light that reaches your eyes. These glasses are crafted with coatings or materials that specifically target the wavelengths associated with blue light, and they allow you to continue using your computer, laptop, phone, or tablet normally, while also enjoying a more comfortable and healthier experience. Relatively inexpensive, and available in a wide range of styles and colors, these popular tools will provide your eyes with an added layer of defense against the potential risks of blue light, and will help alleviate the discomfort you’ve been noticing and feeling. 

Benefits of Blue Light Blocking Glasses

Although they may be a stylish accessory that come in a wide range of designs and colors, the benefits of blue light blocking glasses go far beyond just making you look more fashionable, and they actually play a critical role in safeguarding the health of your eyes in a digital era. By choosing to wear a pair whenever you need to stare at a screen, you can reduce your risk of a number of health issues, and the overall benefits of using blue light blocking glasses include:

Blue light blocking glasses are designed to mitigate the eye fatigue and strain associated with prolonged exposure to digital screens, and they can leave your eyes feeling more comfortable and less dry. The main symptoms of eye strain are redness, excess watering, heavy or aching eyelids, and difficulty with focusing. If you’ve been noticing any of these symptoms after spending long hours in front of screens, blue light blocking glasses could be the solution you need.

One of the biggest issues experienced by people who use their screens in the evening is that the increase of blue light can actually have a negative effect on your ability to fall asleep and remain asleep. Interfering with the body’s natural circadian rhythm, blue light suppresses the production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for your sleep-wake cycle, and will leave you lying awake for hours and then exhausted in the morning. However, by wearing a pair of specialized glasses you’ll be able to reduce the amount of blue light you see, and this will facilitate a smoother transition at bedtime as your circadian rhythm will be better supported.  

Eye strain is not only one of the main causes of red, teary eyes and a heavy, fatigued feeling, it can also impact your focus and productivity as well as it significantly interferes with your ability to concentrate on tasks. Thankfully, blue light blocking glasses can be a game-changer for your productivity, and this is especially beneficial if you’re someone who needs to stare at screens throughout the day in order to complete your work. By reducing eye strain associated with prolonged screen time, these glasses create a more comfortable visual experience, and they contribute to improved alertness, making it easier to engage with tasks that demand sustained attention.

If you’re prone to headaches or migraines then excess screen time can be one of the worst triggers you encounter on a regular basis, and this is because the blue light that is emitted can cause strain on the eyes and impact blood flow in the brain - both of which are factors associated with headaches. However, users often report experiencing fewer and less severe headaches after incorporating blue light blocking glasses into their routine, making these glasses a practical and accessible solution for individuals seeking relief from the discomfort and disruption of regular headaches.

Choosing a Lens Color

The main component of blue light blocking glasses is the specialized lenses they are equipped with, and these are made using advanced coatings or materials designed to filter specific wavelengths of light. However, not all lenses are identical, and before you purchase your first pair of glasses, you’re going to want to understand the unique options available so that you can make the right decision for your personal needs. Where you plan on wearing your glasses, as well as the time of day you most frequently use digital devices, plays a crucial role in determining the ideal lens color for you, and the most common options you’ll encounter while shopping tend to include clear, amber/yellow, and orange. 

For everyday use, clear lenses tend to be the most popular as they offer greater discretion and are less obvious if you plan on wearing them outside of your house. This is a great choice if you mainly will be wearing your blue light blocking glasses during the day, and if you want to protect your eyes while you’re at work, on a bus, or using your device anywhere else that is public and well-lit. The main benefit to clear lenses, besides how inconspicuous they are, is that they won’t impact or distort your screen or the world around you, and they are able to maintain the natural color perception of your environment. 

As for yellow/amber or orange lenses, these blue light blocking glasses are better suited to dimmer environments, and if your screen time tends to extend into the evening hours then these colors will be highly effective at reducing the disruptive effects of blue light on your circadian rhythm and sleep quality. Tinted lenses can also be fantastic if you want to increase focus, as the coloring will enhance contrast and will help you pay attention for longer periods of time for more sustained productivity. 

For many individuals, it can be beneficial to purchase two different pairs of blue light blocking glasses, so that you can reap the perks of both clear lenses as well as tinted ones. However, if you’re only looking to make a single purchase and need to choose between the two options, the best thing to do is to consider the time of day you engage in the most screen time as this will direct you towards the most optimal pair for your unique needs. 

Additional Considerations

Although lens color is one of the biggest considerations you’ll need to look at when purchasing your first pair of blue light blocking glasses, there are some additional features and factors that you won’t want to overlook during the shopping process. With so much variety on the market, there truly is a pair that will suit every need, aesthetic, and lifestyle, so taking time to understand what’s available will ensure you end up with the ones that you actually like and will feel comfortable wearing on a regular basis. Before making an final decisions, some of the additional considerations you’ll want to explore include:

Ranging from sleek and fashionable to lightweight and discreet, the potential styles you can find are virtually endless and you can completely tailor your selection so that it truly matches with your personal preferences and overall aesthetic. Whether you’re hoping to opt for a sophisticated silhouette or a minimalist design, there certainly is no shortage of options and you will be able to easily find pairs that work for both professional environments, as well as for more casual, at home usage. 

Just like with any pair of glasses, durability is incredibly important to consider as this is an item that you will be wearing every single day, for hours at a time. The last thing you want after spending money on your blue light blocking glasses is to have them break, scratch, or be covered in endless smudges and fingerprints, which is why you’ll always want to gravitate towards pairs that protect against that. Many of the available options are now designed to be both scratch-resistant as well as fingerprint-resistant, and they can be crafted from sturdy yet lightweight materials such as acetate or TR-90 which will last for years and are comfortable for long-term wear.

When shopping for any new product, price is always going to be something you need to consider, and you want to make sure you’re narrowing down your search to options that are affordable and don’t exceed your budget. Thankfully, most blue light blocking glasses are very reasonably priced, and it’s not difficult to find pairs that are well-made and under $50. Some brands also offer pairs in a two-pack for a discounted price, which can be a great solution if you and a family member, partner, or friend want to protect your eyes together but don’t want to spend a fortune. 

Bottom Line

In today’s modern world, interacting with screens is an unavoidable activity, and most people spend countless hours each day staring at their devices and being exposed to the potential harms of blue light. While you may not be able to stop using your devices, you can limit how dangerous they are to your eyes and overall health, and by purchasing a pair of blue light blocking glasses you can feel confident that you’re taking proactive steps to safeguard your well-being. Helping to reduce eye strain, headaches, and poor sleep quality, blue light blocking glasses are an affordable and easy-to-use solution that will fit seamlessly into your daily life, and will enable you to work, browse, and game online, without compromising your visual comfort and health. Available in a wide range of styles, and with unique lens colors available to match any preference and need, blue light blocking glasses are a must-have item for anyone navigating the digital realm on a regular basis.