Computer Glasses & Blue Light: Do They Really Help?

Dry eyes at the end of the day, blurred vision after hours on screen, a headache that settles around the eyes — if that sounds familiar, you are not alone. Blue-light computer glasses have become very popular, but there is a lot of noise around them. Let's separate what they actually do.

What blue light is and where it comes from

Blue light is a high-energy part of the visible spectrum. Its biggest source is the sun — screens emit far less. Even so, because we look at screens up close and for many hours, often late at night, the exposure adds up. Blue light in the evening is mainly linked to trouble sleeping, because it affects our body clock. For more on the lenses themselves, see our article on blue-light protection lenses.

What the blue-light (blue cut) filter does

A lens with a blue cut filter reduces some of that high-energy blue light before it reaches the eye. In practice, many wearers describe a "softer" on-screen image and less discomfort in the evening.

Let's be honest, though: a blue-light filter does not solve eye strain on its own. Much of the discomfort at screens comes from blinking less, poor posture, reflections and an uncorrected prescription. The filter is one piece of the puzzle, not the whole solution.

When computer glasses are genuinely worth it

You work 6+ hours a day at screens.

You use a phone or laptop late at night and struggle to sleep.

You feel dry, tired eyes at the end of the working day.

You already wear glasses — then the filter simply goes on as a coating on your lenses.

If your eyes tire heavily, don't leave it to chance — if it continues, see an eye doctor; you may need prescription glasses with a small power you didn't know about.

The 20-20-20 rule

The most effective "tool" costs nothing. Every 20 minutes, look at something about 6 metres away for 20 seconds. This relaxes the focusing muscle and rests your eyes. Combine it with:

A screen slightly below eye level, about an arm's length away.

Conscious blinking — we forget to at the screen.

Lighting without reflections on the screen.

Slightly larger text if you squint to read.

How to choose well

1. Decide whether you want a lens with or without a prescription — if in doubt, ask an optician.
2. Ask for a blue cut filter together with an anti-reflective coating; reflections tire the eyes just as much.
3. Prefer a lens with a neutral tint — strongly yellow lenses distort colours.
4. If you already have glasses, ask whether the filter can go on your existing lenses.

See & choose

A blue-light filter can be added to almost any lens. Browse our prescription frames and we will build in the filter you need.