The 5 Best Blue Light Glasses to Prevent Eye Strain
Updated: May 10, 2023Blue light glasses might be the solution to eye strain, headaches, insomnia, and more. Here are the best pairs, with or without prescription lenses.
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Perhaps now more than ever, we’re overly exposed to blue light from our digital devices: computer screens, smart phones, tablets, and televisions all emit blue light. Just like wearing sunglasses blocks harmful rays from the sun, wearing blue light blocking glasses could help reduce exposure to blue light and decrease your screen-induced headaches and eye strain.
“Blue light consists of short wavelength, high energy light rays which lie next to potentially harmful ultraviolet light on the visible electromagnetic spectrum,” explains Jonah Berman, OD FAAO, a New York-based ophthalmologist. “UV light can contribute to the development of cataracts and retinal damage such as macular degeneration. If you are often using blue light emitting devices, you could benefit from wearing glasses that filter out blue light, much the same way sunglasses protect your eyes from UV when you’re outside.”
Berman recommends wearing blue light glasses whenever you’re looking at a screen to minimize damage, along with making healthy choices like taking screen breaks, eating a healthy diet, and turning off blue light emitting devices before bed. “Blue light can suppress our body’s production of the hormone melatonin and therefore disrupt our normal sleep-wake cycle—another good reason to use blue blockers especially when frequently viewing digital devices at night,” Berman tells Reader’s Digest.
Ready to try blue light glasses? Here are our favorites—and, if you’re in the market for new glasses in general, here are the best places to buy glasses online. Consider checking into your FSA or HSA to cover the cost, or we have a promo code for GlassesUSA. And yes, you can get most blue light glasses with a prescription or as readers for magnification. Sorry, there’s nothing we can do about Zoom fatigue!
Note: Prices listed were accurate as of press time; pricing fluctuations may occur.
LensDirect Blue Light Blocking Glasses
$74
If you’re envisioning blue light glasses as futuristic or gaming-inspired, think again. LensDirect has hundreds of stylish eyeglass frames you can order with blue light blocking lenses with BluDefend blue light blocking technology and anti-reflective treatment to avoid glare. Case in point: Emory Wide. These classic frames are updated with a wider set to look more modern. They come in shade ranges from ultra-cool clear to fun pink to traditional black. Whichever color you choose, you can keep them on through your video presentation and look perfectly polished as you protect your eyes. Another thing to note, LensDirect lets you add blue light blocking lenses to frames you already own. If you’re using your blue light glasses in the office and are required to wear a mask, try one of the best anti-fog sprays for glasses.
GlassesUSA Blue Blocking Glasses
From $47 to $97
GlassesUSA makes it easy to shop for blue light blocking glasses online. Along with virtual try-on and a 100 percent money back guarantee, the online lens shop has a whole line of Bluease blue light glasses. Features include glare prevention, scratch-resistant lenses, ultraviolet blocking, and blue light technology that blocks three times as much light as regular lenses. Filter by frame shape (aviator, cat eye, round) and by color or material to find your perfect pair. They even sell blue light blocking glasses for kids. Want to save 15 percent off your order? Use promo code READER15 on the Bluease category with free basic prescription lenses and free shipping to your doorstep. Check out Reader’s Digest-approved reading glasses at GlassesUSA.
Warby Parker Blue Light Glasses
$50 to any pair or Warby Parker glasses
Warby Parker revolutionized the way people shop for glasses online so it’s no surprise the eyeglass giant is in on the blue light glasses game. To make it simple for shoppers, Warby Parker lets you add blue light lenses to any pair of prescription or non-prescription frames for an extra $50. Easy! We like the minimalist look of Japanese-made Eshi frames, some of the thinnest and strongest glasses on the market. Warby Parker will send you five pairs of glasses to try on at home. You keep the pair you like, return the rest, and safely get back to your screens.
GammaRay Blue Light Glasses
$18
If you want to try out a really affordable pair of blue light glasses before you commit to a more expensive version with better-made frames and lenses, check out the GammaRay blue light glasses. They have a four-and-a-half star rating on Amazon and have been reviewed more than 21,000 times. The modern black plastic frames feature anti-reflective lenses tinted a slight amber color to block blue light. Some wearers keep multiple pairs around the house so they’re always within reach.
Peepers Blue Light Reading Glasses
$25
Looking for a pair of blue light glasses that double as magnification readers? Peepers Blue Light reading glasses are a solid choice. They come in five color options on Amazon, have a modern square shape, and each pair is coated with UV400 coating to block blue light. You choose the magnification strength, from 1x to 3x. If you love doing crossword puzzles on your tablet, reading news articles online, or focusing on crafting projects while the TV is on, blue light magnification reading glasses help you see better and protect your eyes from blue light. Check out Peepers entire range of blue light blocking glasses if you want more options.
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