Blue light blocking glasses are glasses with lenses that have filters designed to block or absorb blue light and, in some cases, UV light from getting through. Blue light is the high-frequency segment of the visible light spectrum with wavelengths between 400 nm to 450 nm, which is the shorter wavelength, higher frequency (energy) portion that digital screens emit. These glasses are also known as screen glasses, computer glasses, or blue-blocking glasses.
The effectiveness of blue-light-blocking glasses is still a topic of debate, and there is no conclusive evidence to support the claim that they reduce eyestrain, eye damage, or improve sleep quality. However, some studies have been conducted on the benefits of blue-blocking lenses, such as whether these lenses alleviate eyestrain and discomfort when using digital devices and if sleep quality improved when the lenses were used in the evening. Still, no significant improvement in vision performance or sleep quality has been found from using blue-blocking lenses.
Blue-light-blocking filter technology works by either reflecting or absorbing blue light. Lenses with a blue-light-reflecting coating can appear bluish, whereas blue-light-absorbing lenses feature a yellow or amber embedded tint. These glasses are available as prescription lenses, over-the-counter (OTC) reading glasses, or glasses that are only used for the purpose of blocking blue light.
While blue light glasses arent effective at preventing digital eye strain, there is no harm in wearing them. Other ways to prevent digital eye strain include taking frequent breaks during screen time, following the "20-20-20 rule," using artificial tears to refresh your eyes when they feel dry, and getting a vision exam to evaluate an uncorrected eyeglasses prescription.
