Do you suffer from eye strain or headaches? 

Have trouble getting to—or staying—asleep? 

Thousands are finding relief with blue light blocking glasses. 

Consumers can choose from budget-friendly pairs from as low as $13  to premium models that can cost over $200. 

Do the cheap ones work? Are premium pairs overpriced? $200 might be overkill, but a $13 pair may not cut it. 

The majority of blue light blocking glasses only thwart 30% of blue light, which might be better than nothing, but there are reasonably priced pairs that block up to 99%. 

Why is Blue Light a Big Deal?

Blue light blocking glasses filter specific wavelengths. Natural light consists of seven colors, with wavelengths ranging from 390 to 700 nanometers. Prolonged exposure to shorter wavelengths can be harmful. 

While blue light from the sun helps regulate our mood and sleep cycles, excessive amounts of artificial light, especially at night, is a different story:

• Circadian rhythm disruptions, making it difficult to fall asleep.

• Disrupted melatonin production, which itself causes a host of issues. 

• Screen-related eye strain, characterized by sore, fatigued, or dry eyes and mental fatigue.

• Insomnia and headaches, including migraines.

• Aggravation of light sensitivity symptoms.

• Potential connections to poor mental health and even obesity.

And, of course, some are more sensitive than others. Naturally there can be other contributing factors. You should check with your healthcare provider. 

Types of Blue Light Blocking Glasses

There are two primary types of blue light glasses:

1. Clear-lens glasses for daytime use.

2. Red-tinted glasses for nighttime wear.

Effectiveness of Daytime Blue Light Glasses

Daytime glasses have clear lenses designed to filter harmful wavelengths emitted by screens and artificial lighting. They do not completely block blue light, but reduce exposure. 

They should block at least half of the most harmful blue light wavelengths (between 440-455 nm).. 

However, many inexpensive options only filter violet light. Some budget glasses may claim to block a percentage of blue light but fail to address the critical 455 nm wavelength.

Effectiveness of Nighttime Blue Light Glasses

Nighttime blue light glasses should be red-tinted to block 100% of blue and green light up to 550 nm, as they can disrupt melatonin production and hinder sleep.

Many affordable options do not offer adequate protection. Some may claim to block 99.82% of light in the 450-510 nm range but leave users completely vulnerable to the 520-550 nm range.

Conclusion and Buying Tips

Understanding the differences between budget blue light glasses and those produced by reputable brands can help consumers make informed choices.

Checklist for Purchasing Blue Light Glasses:

• Request a spectrum report that outlines the wavelengths blocked by the glasses.

• Ensure that daytime glasses filter at least 50% of the 400-500 nm range, particularly the 455 nm wavelength.

• Confirm that nighttime glasses block the full 400-550 nm range.

• Choose products from companies that prioritize research and scientific backing.

Avoid being misled by gimmicks such as light-pen demonstrations. For further inquiries about blue light glasses and their effectiveness, feel free to reach out.  

A starter pair might be better than nothing, but we recommend Dr. S’s blue light blockers. Designed by an optometrist, they are made to block 99% of blue light. Compare this with the 30% blocked by the majority of other brands! 

References and Suggested Reading 

Hatori, Megumi, et al. "Global rise of potential health hazards caused by blue light-induced circadian disruption in modern aging societies." npj Aging and Mechanisms of Disease 3.1 (2017): 9.

Holzman, David C. "What’s in a color? The unique human health effects of blue light." (2010): A22-A27.

Lawrenson, John G., Christopher C. Hull, and Laura E. Downie. "The effect of blue‐light blocking spectacle lenses on visual performance, macular health and the sleep‐wake cycle: a systematic review of the literature." Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics 37.6 (2017): 644-654.

Martirоsova, V. G., et al. "Blue light as an occupational health problem." Ukrainian Journal of Occupational Health 3.15 (2019): 194-203.

Tosini, Gianluca, Ian Ferguson, and Kazuo Tsubota. "Effects of blue light on the circadian system and eye physiology." Molecular vision 22 (2016): 61.

Wong, Nikita A., and Hamed Bahmani. "A review of the current state of research on artificial blue light safety as it applies to digital devices." Heliyon 8.8 (2022).

Zhao, Zhi-Chun, et al. "Research progress about the effect and prevention of blue light on eyes." International journal of ophthalmology 11.12 (2018): 1999.