Do blue-light-blocking glasses really work?
If you spend a lot of time looking at a computer screen every day, chances are you’ve heard about blue-light-blocking glasses. These glasses are easy to purchase and often come in a variety of colors and patterns.
But how effective are they? And do they actually help improve digital eye health?
Dr. Christina Weng, an ophthalmologist with Baylor Medicine, discusses blue-light-blocking glasses and shares tips for preventing digital eye strain.
Q: Why are blue-light-blocking glasses popular right now?
A: During the past year, there has been increased curiosity about blue-light-blocking glasses. The way we work and connect with people is now often through screens. Companies that are selling these glasses often claim that they decrease digital eye strain, help prevent eye disease, and improve sleep.
However, The American Academy of Ophthalmology doesn’t endorse or recommend using blue-light-blocking glasses because there is no scientific evidence that they do any of these things.
Q: Can you share more about these common claims?
A: Allow me to elaborate:
- Digital eye strain (or computer vision syndrome): Digital eye strain is not related to the blue light coming from computers – it’s caused by forcing our eyes to look at a screen up close for long periods of time. The four main symptoms of digital eye strain are dry eyes, headache, sensitivity to light, or blurry vision.
- Eye disease: There is no evidence currently that blue light from computers will lead to eye disease. In fact, there’s more blue light emitted from sunlight than our screens. UV light is more dangerous and can lead to eye cancer and cataract growth.
- Sleep health: Theoretically, there is a link between better sleep and limiting blue light. But the amount of blue light coming from our screens is minimal, so it’s questionable as to whether or not circadian rhythms can be improved with these glasses. If you want better sleep, I suggest turning on the night or low-light mode on your phone rather than using blue light-blocking
Q: What are some ways to help prevent digital eye strain?
A: It’s important to take frequent breaks when you’re on your screen so that the quality of your vision doesn’t suffer as a result of overuse. I recommend following the 20/20/20 rule: Every 20 minutes you spend using a screen, you should look away at an object that is 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds. That will give your eyes a chance to relax and regain their strength.
Q: Is there a difference between blue-light-blocking glasses purchased online vs. prescription glasses with a blue light filter?
A: Usually, when you get a prescription pair of glasses from an optometrist or ophthalmologist, it’s a custom pair of glasses with lenses that are made to fit your exact power; however, I am not sure that there is a significant difference between in the blue light portion compared to over-the-counter versions. This may be manufacturer specific.
Q: Is there any evidence that blue-light-blocking glasses are harmful?
A: There are no long-term scientific studies looking at what happens if you wear the glasses too much. I don’t believe they are dangerous to wear, but I also don’t think it’s dangerous not to wear them. While I can’t speak for all of my colleagues, I personally do not wear blue-light-blocking glasses.
Q: Any other advice you’d like to share?
A: Aside from the financial cost, I don’t think there’s much risk when it comes to wearing blue-light-blocking glasses, but I would encourage potential buyers to make sure that any medical claims they may read are scientifically-based.
Dr. Weng is an associate professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Baylor College of Medicine. Learn more Baylor Eye Care services or call 713–798–6100.
Additional Resources
Know your risk for macular degeneration
-By Nicole Blanton
I have very light sensitive eyes. Would blue light blocking glasses help with this issue? What about other types of lenses?
Hello,
You can learn more about Baylor Eye Care here: https://www.bcm.edu/healthcare/specialties/eye-care-opthalmology-optometry or call 713–798–6100 to schedule an appointment.
Best,
-Nicole
IMHO covid and all the conflicting information that has been put out has given the medical profession a black-eye. It is refreshing to see an article like this to debunk what I’ve suspected from the very beginning was a scam to separate fools from their money.
Cheap “readers” or “cheaters” are a great way to reduce eye strain when using the computer so your eye can be relaxed (focused near infinity) to see the screen clearly. I have an assortment of strengths from from +1 to +2. in 0.25 steps that I use depending and the screen size and the required “working distance” I also have some +3 to + 3.5 for extreme close-up work like soldering or machine-shop work.
Are prescription glasses that get darker in direct sunlight for light sensitive eyes worth buying? What colors work best?
Hello,
You can learn more about Baylor Eye Care here: https://www.bcm.edu/healthcare/specialties/eye-care-opthalmology-optometry or call 713–798–6100 to schedule an appointment.
Best,
-Nicole
I need magnifying glasses to work comfortably on my various “computers”, ie. Desktop, tablet, laptop computer and phone. I use all these different computers for different work situations. The use of a phone is obvious, but, at my age, the small screen and small keys are a hassle. Magnifying glasses really help. So true for my Tablet used for reading newspapers, magazines and books. My laptop is essential for working while traveling. My profession requires a significant amount of waiting for planes. Those are useful hours. The desktop is necessary to holding hearings and attending professionally required courses via ZOOM.
All of the different glasses with different magnification are blue light blockers. I have found they do help me. I have dry eye syndrome, I also try to take frequent short breaks, but the 20-20-20 rule would really disrupt my concentration. I find stopping every 45 to 50 minutes to use eye drops and putting my head back to allow the drops to stay in my eyes for longer. Five minutes, with eye drops and blue light magnifiers makes working long hours on the screens somewhat easier.