If you’ve ever struggled with eye strain or headaches after staring at digital screens for too long, you might benefit from blue light blocking glasses. When organic, blue light can be healthy as it naturally regulates the body’s sleep-wake cycle. However, artificial blue light from digital screens like phones, tablets, and computers can disrupt your circadian rhythm. It’s also theorized to lead to eye irritation and diseases such as dry eyes and cataracts. Currently, experts are divided over artificial blue light’s harm, and research is ongoing. Still, Brian Lojka, OD, an optometrist at Clarkson Eyecare, says that people struggling after long hours of screen time could benefit from the coating on blue light glasses as it can save you from eye strain. To find the best blue light blocking glasses, we tested 21 pairs for one week and evaluated their fit, feel, clarity, and overall value. At the end of our testing period, we assessed our thoughts and narrowed down our favorites. A board-certified ophthalmologist from our Medical Expert Board also reviewed the contents of this article for medical accuracy. Our Top Picks Best Prescription: Warby Parker Thurston Glasses at Warbyparker.com (See Price) Best for Headaches: Peepers by PeeperSpecs Women's Shine On Blue Light Glasses at Amazon ($29) Best for Video Meetings: Best for Gaming: Most Comfortable: Best Transition Lens: EyeBuyDirect Escape Blue Light Glasses at Amazon (See Price) In This Article Our Picks We Also Tested How We Tested What to Look For Our Experts FAQ Why Trust Verywell Health Pros Stay in place well Lightweight Durable Cons Unlikely to fit larger faces Sizes: One size | Prescription Option: No | Virtual or Home Try-on: No | Return Policy: Returnable within 30 days Benicci Blue Light Blocking Glasses are durable, comfortable, and effective. We love that they're lightweight, well-fitting, and well-made so they won't cause any added strain while you wear them. When we tested them, the crystal clear, non-tinted lenses kept everything crisp and clear, making almost no difference in our vision. When it comes to fit and feel, the lightly textured material is a unique feature that makes them extremely comfortable. It helped prevent slipping without pinching our nose or ears and causing sore spots. The various color options make it easy to find the perfect pair for your style, and they even include a blue light refraction tool so you can see how much they're actually blocking. And, with their affordable price point, they're also a great introduction to blue light glasses. If you have a larger face these may not fit well on you as they tend to run a little small. Pros Great clarity Lightweight Stay in place well Cons Not a universally flattering style Sizes: Medium and wide | Prescription Option: Yes | Virtual or Home Try-on: Yes | Return Policy: Returnable within 30 days We think the try-before-you-buy possibilities available through Warby Parker make the Thurston Blue Light Blocking Glasses the best prescription option. In testing, we fell in love with the glasses' fit. They were so lightweight we almost forgot we had them on, and they didn't budge the entire day. They hugged the bridge of our noses without any pinching or rubbing, which made them easy to wear and comfortable. The clear tint on the lenses didn't obscure our vision whatsoever. We also noticed a long-term improvement in eye strain symptoms throughout the test. While there wasn't immediate relief, our eyes felt less tired around day four of use, especially after a full eight-hour workday. Most of our editors swear by Warby Parker glasses because of their quality and generous try-on policies that allow you to test out frames before you commit to them. So, if this exact frame isn't right for you, you can find a pair that is. If the aesthetic outweighs the benefits for you, you're not alone. These glasses weren't as flattering as we'd like, but given their efficacy, we'd be more than willing to try a different style by the same brand. Pros Easy to slip on and off Reduce headaches Stylish and attractive Cons Doesn't include a case or pouch Sizes: One size | Prescription Option: No | Virtual or Home Try-on: No | Return Policy:Returnable within 30 days If you need a pair of blue light blocking glasses that ease headaches, we noticed a large improvement after a week of wearing Peepers by PeeperSpecs. This pick's comfortable, flexible frames and clear, magnifying lenses help make daily screen use a more comfortable experience. After wearing the glasses for five work days, we found them to be lightweight but well-made enough to stay in place, even when we moved our heads around a lot. They were easy to put on and take off, thanks to the flexible arms, and they didn’t cause any pain around our ears or nose. They also have a great amount of magnification for reading, a clear tint that doesn’t interfere with vision, and they’re stylish to boot. We loved their flattering shape and shimmery frames. Plus, we noticed fewer headache symptoms after just one day of wearing the glasses while using screens. These glasses don't come with a pouch or case. To keep them protected you'll have to buy one separately. Pros Relieve eye strain Versatile Lightweight Cons Limited variety, colors, and styles Sizes: One size | Prescription Option: No | Virtual or Home Try-on: No | Return Policy:Returnable within 30 days Snug, secure, lightweight, and comfortable, the Readerest Blue Light Blocking Reading Glasses were an easy choice as our best-fitting pair. They didn't slide or move as we went about our work day, making staring at screens for hours on end that much easier. We had zero complaints about the fit or feel of these glasses. The lenses are clear, and we noticed less eye strain during our test than when we didn’t use them. To top it off, they didn't compromise on function for style. The rectangular-shaped frames were modern and contemporary and looked great on our faces. While we liked how they looked, style is subjective. If style matters and these aren't for you, you may feel limited in terms of different style options. Pros Reduce eye strain Stay in place well Great clarity Cons Limited frame colors Expensive Sizes: One size | Prescription Option: No | Virtual or Home Try-on: No | Return Policy:Returnable within 60 days If you want to reduce the amount of blue light your eyes are exposed to but also look like you keep up with current trends, the Caddis Blue Light Blockers in the '70s-inspired Hopper style don't compromise form for function. While they’re trendy, in our testing they were also comfortable and stable even when we were active, and had great clarity, despite their light tint. More importantly, we definitely noticed eye strain improvement: Our eyes didn't experience any stress while we used these glasses. Usually, we feel irritation after an hour, so this change was much appreciated. The style of these glasses isn't for everyone (they’re a statement piece!). But, if you’re interested in the aviator shape, we recommend them—especially since their blue light blocking power means they aren’t just for show. Pros Clear tint Anti-reflective Includes case and dust cloth Cons Expensive Sizes: Wide | Prescription Option: Yes | Virtual or Home Try-on: Yes | Return Policy:Returnable within 30 days If you're constantly attending video meetings while wearing your glasses, you've probably noticed some lenses cast a very noticeable (and distracting) reflection on your screen. Thankfully, this wasn't our experience when we tested the Felix Gray Jemison Glasses, which is how these anti-reflective glasses became our top pick for video meetings. Manyprescription lenses do come with the anti-glare option. Still, if you've never worn glasses before, you may not realize how much of a difference this feature can make, especially if you're constantly looking at a glowing screen all day. In addition to minimizing that annoying glare during video calls, the Felix Gray pair was also comfortable to wear throughout several eight-hour work days without needing adjustment. There was no slipping or pinching, either. As for clarity, the untinted lenses were crisp and clear. Overall, if you need a pair of glasses that doesn't cause a distracting reflection during video calls, the Felix Gray Jemison is your best bet. These glasses had a subtler effect on our eye strain. While there was still improvement, we don't think they would perform well for people with more severe symptoms who need stronger solutions. Pros Makes screen images crisper Gentle on the eyes Great for beginners Cons May be too small for those with larger heads Sizes: 51 mm and 54 mm | Prescription Option: No | Virtual or Home Try-on: No | Return Policy:Returnable within 30 days If you've noticed that your eyes can't keep up with your TV-watching habits, the MVMT Everscroll Glasses may help. They felt gentle on the eyes and enhanced our viewing experience while we were streaming our favorite shows. We were surprised that they even made screen images crisper and less harsh than our bare eyes or other glasses. Our editor who tested them said her eyesight is "pretty bad." This pick reduced strain and gave nearly instantaneous relief, which made a world of difference. Also, as an aside, if you haven't worn blue light glasses before, this is a great beginner pair to start with (especially if you have a smaller face). The MVMT blockers weren’t the absolute best-fitting pair we tried. We do suggest them, but not for people with larger faces as they may be tight or uncomfortable. Smaller, more narrower faces will do better in this option. Pros Dims brightness and glare Wide, comfortable fit Lightweight Cons Not overly stylish Slight distortion around edges of lenses Sizes: One size | Prescription Option: No | Virtual or Home Try-on: No | Return Policy:Returnable within 30 days For anyone who games regularly, reducing harsh light and glare is key to making those long hours focusing on a screen more comfortable. We like that the Gunner Optiks Razer Glasses have a subtle yellow tint, making them go the extra mile in blocking blue light. While they aren't the most stylish option to choose from, the fact that you'll most likely be wearing them at home means style can take a back seat to function. These glasses are also comfortable, with a lightweight and wide-frame fit that doesn't dig into the sides of the head. These are probably not the best glasses for work or socializing, but we think they are a solid, no-frills choice for anyone who spends hours laser-focused on a screen and needs major glare protection and brightness reduction like gamers. We noted a slight distortion around the edges of the lenses, but it was only noticeable when we weren’t looking at a screen. The nose rest did dig into our nose a little bit, leaving a mark, but they were still comfortable. Pros Suits most face shapes Reliable fit Reduces glare Cons Might not help reduce fatigue Sizes: Medium and wide | Prescription Option: Yes | Virtual or Home Try-on: Yes | Return Policy:Returnable within 30 days The Emory Glasses from LensDirect were the most comfortable blue light blocking glasses because they have a snug, pleasant fit that can suit various facial shapes and features. Despite our editor's low bridge and small face, these glasses needed much less adjusting than we're used to, which made them an easy-to-wear option right out of the box. Two other things we loved during testing were the noticeable headache relief and the exceptional clarity of the untinted lenses. Both drastically improved our workday and made these glasses' more than worth it. These may not be for you if you want glasses that help with eye strain—we didn't notice much difference between wearing them or not. Pros Work well outdoors Good for small to medium faces Affordable Cons May slide down the nose without adjustment Sizes: One size | Prescription Option: Yes | Virtual or Home Try-on: Yes | Return Policy:Returnable within 14 days Feel and clarity are key when choosing transition lenses, and Eye Buy Direct's Escape Blue Light Glasses delivers both. We wore these glasses in various scenarios: outside, looking down at phones and laptops, and at different times of the day. They performed above our expectations, never interfered with our vision, and noticeably improved eye strain symptoms. We particularly enjoyed wearing them over our contacts as we worked on our laptops outdoors in the afternoons. Our experience was pain and stress-free, and the glasses even helped prevent eye irritation. They're made of high-quality materials that don't cause pain or sore spots after hours of use. They're also good for long-term wear and were just as comfortable at the end of our work day as they were at the beginning. Their fit could use some improvement. Smaller faces may have an easier time wearing them than larger ones, and the arms were a bit too short to prevent slippage. We consulted experts and tested 21 pairs of blue light blocking glasses at home to find the best ones for reducing digital eye strain and stress. We prioritized and picked options based on professional guidance and the following criteria: Do blue light glasses work? Unfortunately, research is currently inconclusive, and experts are divided. Dr. Crews, says some studies have shown that blue light may interfere with sleep cycles, cause eye strain, and possibly contribute to macular degeneration. However, she also says those studies are limited and inconclusive thus far. Blue light blocking glasses may also not work for everyone, but they can provide subjective relief for some of the glare and strain on the eyes by computer screens, says Dr. Lojka. He adds that it’s very subjective, and there's no real test to figure out who may benefit and who won't. Where is the best place to buy blue light glasses? You have several options for finding a shopping locale for blue light glasses, from Amazon to brick-and-mortar stores to optometrist offices. Wherever you choose, Dr. Berman stresses the importance of ensuring your seller has high consumer ratings and a solid customer service reputation, including a good exchange or return policy. What percent of blue light glasses are best? It depends on your personal needs. Many people only require the percent of blue light blocking provided by clear lenses, which Dr. Berman says can be designed to block 20 to 35% of harmful blue light. But these aren’t truly blue light “blocking,” per se, and may not be strong enough for you. Dr. Crews adds that blue light coatings can be added to prescription lenses, but they only block a small percentage. For stronger protection, they need to be tinted to a strength assessed by a professional based on your needs to screen usage. Are blue light filtering glasses safe to wear all the time? According to Dr. Berman, blue light filtering glasses are safe to wear all the time—with some caveats. It’s also important to remember that your body requires some blue light to function properly. It's only when you get too much from “unnatural” sources like digital screens do you run into trouble. It’s smart to take a break from your blue light glasses sometimes, specifically when you go outdoors. Can blue light glasses cause headaches? They shouldn’t, says Dr. Berman, as long as they have clear, non-tinted lenses with your correct prescription (if one is needed) and an anti-reflective treatment. Those without anti-reflective features can headaches, however, and lenses with noticeable tints can cause you to squint in low-lighting environments, adding to eye strain and sometimes triggering headaches. Sarah Bradley has been writing health content since 2017: everything from product roundups and illness FAQs to nutrition explainers and the dish on diet trends. She knows how important it is to receive trustworthy and expert-approved advice about over-the-counter products that help you manage everyday conditions. Although she didn’t personally test the glasses for this list, she has experience testing other personal care products for Verywell Health—and as a migraine sufferer, she understands the importance of finding a pair that actually helps.Best Overall
Benicci Stylish Blue Light Blocking Glasses
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Best for Headaches
Peepers by PeeperSpecs Women's Shine On Blue Light Glasses
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Best Style
Caddis Blue Light Blockers
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Best for Video Meetings
Felix Gray Jemison Blue Light Glasses
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Best Transition Lens
EyeBuyDirect Escape Blue Light Glasses
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What to Look for in Blue Light Blocking Glasses
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FAQs
Do blue light blocking glasses reduce eye strain? ›
Eye Health and Vision Fatigue
Studies had from five to 156 participants and ran from less than a day to five weeks. The analysis of the trials showed that there is no short-term advantage to using blue-light-filtering spectacles for reducing vision fatigue, compared with standard clear lenses.
Blue light glasses, which aim to block the blue light waves, claim to improve sleep and reduce digital eye strain. Wearing blue light glasses isn't harmful to your eyes, so you could wear them all day if you wanted, but it may not eliminate digital eye strain entirely.
What is the disadvantage of blue light blocking glasses? ›Potential Disruption of Sleep-Wake Cycle: While blue light-blocking filters can be beneficial for reducing blue light exposure in the evening, using them during the day may interfere with your natural circadian rhythm. Daytime exposure to blue light is essential for alertness and maintaining a healthy sleep-wake cycle.
What glasses reduce eye strain? ›Anti-reflective lenses: As the name implies, these lenses have a coating that cuts down the glare that can be reflected into your eyes from any light source — screens, headlights, bright sunshine, even the rays that break through on a cloudy day. Less glare means your eyes don't have to work as hard to see well. Dr.
Why blue light blocking glasses don t work? ›Researchers noted that one reason the glasses don't help is that the amount of blue light received from computer screens and other artificial sources is only about a thousandth of what people get from natural daylight. On top of that, blue light lenses usually filter out only about 10%-25% of blue light.
Are blue light glasses worth it? ›While blue light blocking glasses are effective at reducing the amount of blue light that enters the eyes, there is no current research to suggest that this can improve or protect the health of your eyes. Put simply, there is no scientifically-proven benefit of wearing blue light blocking glasses for your eye health.
Can people tell you're wearing blue light glasses? ›It's impossible to tell clear blue light and regular prescription glasses apart from the naked eye.
Are blue light blocking glasses a myth? ›Also, while the blue blockers may not do anything, they won't hurt you. In fact, he said, "it causes absolutely no damage." As for screen time, we spend an average of seven hours and four minutes per day looking at our phones or computer screens and that's the worry optometrists have about the future of our vision.
What time should I start wearing blue light glasses? ›Put on your blue light lenses whenever you're exposed to artificial blue light. It's a good idea to put on your glasses if you spend much of your day on a computer. A stylish set of lightweight blue light glasses are perfect for wearing to work or the home office.
Can you drive with blue blocking glasses? ›Yes, they are a great way to help improve vision for your night driving. They reduce eye strain and glare while allowing you to focus on the road better. Blue light glasses could be advantageous for improved sight and comfort when driving at night.
Which is better blue cut or blue filter? ›
If you are primarily concerned about reducing the harmful effects of blue light, such as eye strain and fatigue, blue protect lenses may be a suitable choice. However, if you want to maintain a balance between protection and the potential benefits of blue light, blue cut lenses could be a better option.
Do doctors recommend blue light glasses? ›“The American Academy of Ophthalmology states that you don't need them, and it doesn't recommend any special eyewear for computer users.” He adds that when people experience benefits from wearing blue light glasses, it could be more psychological, like a placebo effect.
Do blue-blocking lenses reduce eye strain from extended screen time? ›Conclusions: Blue-blocking lenses did not alter signs or symptoms of eye strain with computer use relative to standard clear lenses.
Is a blue light filter on a phone good for eyes? ›The blue light filter on an Android or iPhone may help to ease eye fatigue and regulate the sleep cycle. Extended periods of screen time may additionally cause eye discomfort known as digital eye strain and a blue light filter may help mitigate the symptoms.
Do blue light blocking glasses make you tired? ›Wearing blue light glasses, especially at night, can help ease you into sleep. So while blue light-blocking glasses may or may not help reduce eye fatigue and digital eye strain, they can definitely help you get a better night's rest.