Are Blue Light Glasses Worth It? (Do They Work, and Do They Look Cool?)

Between work, phone scrolling, and Netflix, we spend a lot of time in front of screens. Like, a lot of time. Even if you’re not a total phone addict (congrats, you’re in the minority) you probably still look at a screen for several hours a day.

Constant screen time has got people wondering whether staring at LCD displays all day might not be super-duper great for our health, with eye strain, trouble sleeping, and mental health issues being some of the proven negative consequences of excessive screen use.

One much-hyped solution to the screen time problem is blue light glasses. These specs have an orange filter for cutting out blue light — the kind of light most likely to keep you awake at night. But are blue light glasses worth it? Or are they just an excuse for you to get a new fashion accessory?

Let’s find out. Here are the real and purported health benefits of blue light glasses, as well as the best products on the market.

Do Blue Light Glasses Work?

The amount of time we spend looking at screens is increasing. According to one study, recreational screen time for young adults increased from about 25.9 hours a week in 2018 to about 28.5 hours in 2020. And this increase in screen time has brought an increased focus on the effects of blue light emitted by personal electronic devices.

If you use an iPhone, you might have noticed the “Night Shift” feature, which puts an orange hue on your display at sunset. It looks like an Instagram filter, but the idea is to help you sleep better by cutting out that pesky blue light. In theory, blue light glasses work the same way, except they filter out the blue light from everything — computers, phones, TVs, lightbulbs, sunlight — instead of just one device.

Whether these specs actually work is another matter. Some blue light glasses are sold with the promise that they can prevent eye strain, blurry eyes, and eye damage. But a recent scientific study found that blue light-blocking lenses didn’t impact computer-induced eye strain.

They might, however, be helpful for improving sleep: blue light prevents the nocturnal secretion of melatonin, a hormone that helps us sleep, so filtering out that blue light might help our body start shutting down for the night.

Are blue light glasses worth it for preventing eye strain and eye diseases? No, probably not, but they might just help you get more shuteye.

Should You Try Blue Light Glasses?

Most of us could probably cut back on some screen activities, like playing COD on the subway or scrolling through Twitter. But some things — work emails, texts from your partner, checking the basketball score — are literally impossible to avoid. So how can we keep using our devices without suffering the side effects?

The most important question to ask is: are blue light glasses worth it for you? If you’re required to look at a screen for long periods of time and think it’s negatively impacting your health, blue light glasses might provide some much-needed relief.

Although the health benefits aren’t exactly gospel, you can get a pair of these digital shades for a little more than $10, so why not try them out and see?

But Are They Cool?

Eyeglasses are a great way to change up your look. A pair of wireframe or tortoiseshell specs look great with a smart dress shirt, especially in the office.

Here’s the thing: if you look good in glasses, why not wear some that provide a little functionality? No one can pull off lens-free glasses (not even Zooey Deschanel), so blue light glasses may be the perfect pair you’re looking for.

With that in mind, blue light glasses are a great opportunity for people with 20/20 vision to sport some clear-lensed eyewear. Because these glasses are functional, nobody will think you’re trying too hard or playing dress-up.

The Best Blue Light Glasses According to Health Experts

It’s fair to say that eye experts aren’t totally sold on blue light glasses. The American Academy of Ophthalmology, for instance, doesn’t recommend them for computer use.

However, health experts agree that getting a pair from a legitimate optician with an on-site optometrist is safer than ordering from a mysterious online seller. Vision Source? Fine. bluelightmegadiscount.com? Avoid.

The Coolest Blue Light Glasses, According to Us

Blue light glasses are everywhere. Whether you want a premium pair from a hip eyewear brand or just want to try out the cheapest option from Target, we’ve got you covered.

Warby Parker Ellington ($325)

In just over a decade of existence, New York’s Warby Parker has become the epitome of eyewear fashion. They’ve bought into the blue light craze too: you can add a filter to any pair of lenses for $50.

There are a ton of options on the WP site, but we love the wire-frame Ellington style, which costs $275 and includes prescription lenses if you need them. With the blue light add-on, it comes out at $325.

Ray-Ban Wayfarer Optics ($253.50)

Ray-Ban remains the king of shades, but you can also get many of its classic styles with clear lenses, and all of its optical styles have the option for blue light filtering.

If you don’t need a prescription, the iconic Wayfarer with a blue light filter costs $253.50. Tack on an extra $100 if you want a single-vision prescription too.

Target Crystal Clear Blue Light Filtering Square Glasses ($12)

If you’re not fully committed to the idea of blue light glasses, you don’t have to break the bank to try them out. Target has a bunch of options for an easy test run.

Our favorites are the Crystal Clear frames, which look much cooler than the price tag would suggest.

Livho Light Blocking Glasses ($16 for two)

Amazon can’t compete with Ray-Ban for style or quality, but its Livho blue light glasses come in loads of color options, and you get two pairs for just $16: one for home and one for the office. Cool…ish.

Avoid The Blues

The best way to minimize screen-inflicted ailments is to put your device away when you don’t need it. However, when you know you’re going to be on a computer all day for work, blue light glasses can potentially act as a shield against sleep deprivation.

Once you’ve picked out a pair that suits you, read our guide to business attire to figure out what to wear from the nose down.