Is wearing blue UV light blocking glasses good or bad for your eyes?

Good eyesight is crucial for all people and something that in general determines our overall quality of life. But good eyesight does not have the same meaning for all of us. For some, the most important thing is distance vision for activities such as driving, playing sports, watching television, being among nature, and similar. For other people, close-up vision is the most important thing, because most of their activities are performed at a distance of 35–40 cm, as is the case with accountants, dentists, or for example, service technicians. And for some people, the most important thing is their vision at a medium distance of 50–65 cm for activities that primarily include work on desktop and laptop computers.

In addition, visual function depends on age. A person who once saw perfectly without glasses will, at around the age of 45, due to the physiological weakening of accommodation (the ability to focus the image at close range), become completely dependent on near-vision glasses. All these factors make the necessity for clear vision a rather subjective and complex issue.

What are computer glasses?

“Computer glasses.” The term sounds strange, but as modern people constantly use computers, it’s not surprising that there is a need for such glasses. This has been especially evident during the pandemic, because of the accelerating transition to online learning and studying, as well as more frequent business meetings. Therefore, it is not surprising that many people are exposed to harmful blue light for more than four hours a day. Although digital devices have helped us a lot, they also have consequences (i.e. a negative impact on our eyes).

To avoid so-called computer vision syndrome¹, we can follow a few rules, such as taking breaks from working at the computer, practicing eye gymnastics, properly lighting the room in which we work, etc. However, despite all this, computer glasses are often necessary. These glasses have a special coating, thanks to which they have positive effects such as the following:

• They protect against exposure to UV radiation and blue light.
• They reduce glare from the screen.
• They reduce eyestrain².
• They reduce headaches and improve vision.
• They improve sleep quality³.
• … and more.

What effect can you expect from these glasses?

Those who wear computer glasses note that efficiency increases; eye pain, dryness, tingling, and itching disappear; and visual acuity improves. Also, problems such as watery eyes, photophobia, red eyes, and headaches completely disappear. However, this effect can be obtained only if the glasses are chosen individually. This means you shouldn’t buy the finished products that are often available in supermarkets, because the glasses must be made for a specific patient and take into account particular eye conditions and other factors.

Who are blue light glasses for?

As the need for computer glasses arises, more and more people feel they should protect their eyesight when working at a computer. Ophthalmologists recommend wearing eyeglasses to anyone who is overexposed to this blue light; for example, while working, reading, studying, scrolling through Instagram, etc. It doesn't matter how long the person is in front of the monitor or how old they are, because even children can wear computer glasses.

At the same time, people notice a difference in their vision when wearing computer glasses. The reason for this lies in the different working conditions behind the computer, the different types of glasses they wear, and the individual condition of the eyes.

How to choose glasses for the computer

If these glasses seem like a great idea and something you might need, you will first have to see an ophthalmologist, because the glasses are chosen according to your specific needs. When choosing blue light glasses, pay attention to:

• Lens type. There are two types of lens material: glass and plastic. The glass material⁴ is heavier to wear but is more resistant to scratching. Conversely, plastic lenses are much more comfortable and easier to wear, but you can easily scratch them. The glasses must be comfortable; otherwise, you might feel discomfort on the bridge of the nose and experience the urge to take them off. However, the choice is always yours, of course. Buy the ones that are more comfortable to wear.
• Frame design. This seems like the least important thing; however, you should feel confident and comfortable when wearing glasses. You can be fashionable and stylish at the same time, because eyeglasses are part of your daily look.
• Frame material. The frame material is another very important aspect of your eyeglasses. The more comfortable you feel in them, the more you will want to wear them. Glasses made from polycarbonate are high quality and very durable⁵. Polycarbonate is a high-quality material that can be bent to fit your face.
• Type of activity. If you work on paper and read a lot, glasses with a special coating that enhances contrast and alleviates unnecessary pressure on the eyes will suit best. If you are a fan of computer games, computer glasses for gamers with a special coating that eliminates glare as much as possible are the perfect option for you.
• Lens color. The lenses can be colorless or tinted. However, most people don’t like an orange tint, because it doesn’t look good. Take a look at the blue light blocking glasses we offer, because they are not tinted and provide you with optimal protection from the blue light emitted from your digital device.

The best blue light blocker glasses

Spektrum glasses offers a wide range of blue UV light blocking glasses, and most are unisex. For example:

Elite

Elite glasses can block 99 percent of harmful blue light. Elite glasses are comfortable, so you can wear them before bedtime, too. Wearing them before going to sleep can improve the quality of your sleep . The frames are made from TR90, a clip-on, and aluminum–steel alloy. The lens material is polycarbonate, and they are non-polarized.

Amber

Amber glasses are a unisex style, and both women and men will look great in these glasses. They have lenses with an anti-reflective coating with less tint. The frames are constructed from acetate, copper alloy arms, and acetate tips. The lens material is Tritan copolyester.

Ultimate

Ultimate glasses provide extreme protection against blue light. The frame material is TR90 and zinc alloy, and the lenses are polycarbonate. They help to improve the quality of your sleep, and reduce eyestrain and headaches, too.

Granite

Granite glasses are a great option for everyone. The frame material is acetate, the arms stainless steel, and the tips acetate. These frames are extremely light and durable. The lenses are made from Tritan copolyester.

All these glasses are also blue UV light glasses – they block 100% of UVA and UVB. They are very durable, and are adjustable to fit every face and everyone’s needs.

Final thoughts

Due to the competition on the market, there are many different varieties of blue light blocking glasses. Many of them are cheap and of poor quality. Instead of being good for your eyes, they will cause negative effects that may lead to eye-related conditions developing. Therefore, it is also advisable to think carefully about the time you spend in front of digital screens and the choices you make.