Blue Light Glasses – Do They Really Work?

*By: Megan Deppen*

Have your eyes ever felt tired or strained from excessive screen time? I’m definitely finding that Zoom fatigue is real. Between work meetings and my phone, by the end of the day, my eyes feel exhausted.  Last year, before the pandemic started, my sister told me about blue light glasses and how they are supposed to help block some of the blue light from your screen, so your eyes don’t feel as strained. I was curious, so I purchased a cheap pair from Target and wore them at work, and it seemed like they were helping. Fast forward to a few months later, and I started seeing them everywhere as a new fashion statement. 

But the burning question is…Do blue light light glasses really work? After some further research, I found that the blue light glasses I purchased from Target weren’t really working as I had thought after I tested them through this website. There are numerous other websites where you can put these glasses to the test.  Also, because these glasses are a newer product on the market that isn’t regulated by the FDA, there isn’t much research available yet.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, they believe you don’t need any kind of special eyewear, and that overuse of our digital devices is the source of our eye strain and not the blue light that is omitted from them. However, some eye professionals say they do believe that these glasses have benefits and have heard positive experiences from their customers. One customer said it cut down on their headaches and their eyes didn’t feel so tired at the end of the day. 

In conclusion, it’s hard to say if blue light glasses really work, since there hasn’t been much definitive research done. But if you’re interested in trying them, eye experts say they cannot hurt your eyes, and ultimately it’s okay to wear them. However, if you’re skeptical, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Vision Council suggest other ways to give your eyes a break during the day. One way is to follow the 20-20-20 rule. This means every 20 minutes you will look at another object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Other ways to help with eye strain include, turning down your screen brightness and adjusting your computer so your eyes are about 25 inches from the screen. They also recommend using a matte screen filter on your computer to reduce glare. Lastly, take frequent breaks throughout the day from your computer and phone, which should result in less screen time overall. Hopefully, some of these recommendations will help if you are experiencing eye strain.

What are your thoughts on blue light glasses? Leave your comments below.