Short answer: blue light glasses don't treat a concussion, but a tinted lens can make light easier to put up with while you recover. In the best-known study, 85% of concussion patients with light sensitivity found relief from at least one colored lens, and the colors that helped most were blue, green, red and purple. So what matters is finding a tint that suits you, not just how much blue light it blocks. Use tinted glasses alongside your doctor's recovery plan, and don't drive in them.
See a doctor first. Any head injury should be checked by a doctor. Go to the emergency room right away if someone has a headache that gets worse and won't go away, repeated vomiting, slurred speech, weakness or numbness, a seizure, one pupil larger than the other, unusual confusion or drowsiness, or can't be woken. This article is general information, not medical advice.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury. A blow or jolt to the head makes the brain move quickly inside the skull, which briefly disrupts how it works. Common symptoms include headache, dizziness, balance problems, trouble concentrating, and sensitivity to light and noise.
Light sensitivity (the medical term is photophobia) is one of the most disruptive symptoms. It can make reading, screens, TV, stores and offices hard to manage.
Why Light Feels Worse After a Concussion
After a concussion, the brain processes incoming signals less smoothly, and light that felt normal before can feel too bright or even painful. It often comes with headaches or nausea. For many people it eases as they recover. If it lasts more than a few weeks, or gets worse, tell your doctor.
Is Blue Light the Problem?
Not on its own. Blue light comes from daylight, LED and fluorescent lighting, and screens, and bright light of any color can be uncomfortable after a concussion. The research doesn't show that blue light causes or worsens concussion symptoms.
That's why the study below matters: patients found relief with blue and green lenses as well as red and purple ones. A blue lens lets plenty of blue light through, so the benefit can't just be about blocking blue light. It seems to depend on the person and the tint.
Research on migraine, a related kind of light sensitivity, points the same way. White, blue, amber and red light all made migraine headache worse, and green light the least. We cover that in Can Blue Light Glasses Give You a Headache?
Proof From Research
In a 2017 study in the Journal of Athletic Training, doctors at the University of Cincinnati assessed 51 concussion patients. Of the 39 who had visual symptoms, 76% had light sensitivity. Of those, 85% got relief from at least one colored lens. Blue, green, red and purple worked best, and no side effects were reported.
Keep its limits in mind. It was a small study, relief was self-reported, and there was no comparison against untinted lenses. The authors saw colored glasses as one part of managing light sensitivity, along with sunglasses, hats and avoiding very bright light. They also advised against driving in colored lenses, because some tints make traffic lights and emergency lights harder to see.
How Blue Light Glasses Can Help, and What They Can't Do
What they can do: make screens, bright rooms and fluorescent lighting feel more comfortable while you recover, so everyday tasks are easier.
What they can't do: heal the injury, speed up recovery, or replace your doctor's advice on rest, screen time, and getting back to work, school or sport.
Choosing the Right Blue Light Glasses
Because different tints suit different people, it helps to try more than one. An optometrist or your doctor can help you test which tint feels best. These are the Sleep ZM lenses people with light sensitivity usually look at, with figures measured by Micro-Light Optics:
| Lens | Tint | What it filters | Light let through (VLT) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harmony | Rose (FL-41) | 47.74% at its 510nm peak (480–520nm) | 67.56%, Cat 1 | Indoor light sensitivity, screens |
| FlickerAid | Blue | 67% at 580–640nm, 56% at 380–500nm | 48%, Cat 1 | Fluorescent lighting and flicker |
| Oasis | Brown (FL-60) | 94.45% at 400–500nm | 14.80%, Cat 3 | Bright daylight outdoors |
| SleepAid | Orange | 99% at 380–550nm | 48%, Cat 1 | Evenings at home, before bed |
None of these lenses is a concussion treatment, and none has been tested on concussion patients. The numbers tell you what each lens does to light, not what it will do for your symptoms. For every lens we make, see our lab data, compare the colors in Through the Lens, or use the Lens Finder. If you want to know more about the rose tint, the University of Utah's Moran Eye Center explains FL-41 lenses, and our migraine article covers how they're used for light sensitivity.
When and How to Wear Them
- Under bright indoor lighting: offices, stores and classrooms with fluorescent or LED lighting are where many people notice the most difference. Harmony or FlickerAid are the usual choices.
- At screens: put them on before you start, and turn screen brightness down too. Follow your doctor's advice on how much screen time is OK.
- Outdoors: in bright daylight you need sunglasses or a dark lens like Oasis, plus a hat. See Can You Wear Blue Light Glasses Outside?
- In the evening: an orange lens like SleepAid cuts the light that can push back your sleep timing. Good sleep is a big part of recovery.
- Not all the time in the dark: some clinicians advise easing back into normal light rather than avoiding it completely. Ask your doctor how much to use tinted glasses.
- Never while driving: don't drive in colored lenses, and follow your doctor's advice on when it's safe to drive again.
For more on timing, read When to Use Blue Light Blocking Glasses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Blue Light Glasses Good for a Concussion?
They can help with one symptom, light sensitivity, by making light more comfortable. They don't treat the concussion itself. See your doctor if symptoms last or get worse.
What Color Light Is Best for Concussion?
There isn't one best color. In the 2017 study, different patients found relief with different tints (blue, green, red or purple). Trying a few, ideally with help from an optometrist, is the best way to find yours.
What Color Light Is Best for the Brain?
No color is best for the brain. For your body clock, what matters most is timing: bright daylight in the morning and dimmer, warmer light in the evening. After a concussion, keep lighting at a level that feels comfortable.
Is Blue Light Bad for Your Head?
Blue light from screens and indoor lighting isn't harmful. Bright light of any color can feel uncomfortable after a concussion, and blue light in the evening can delay sleep, which is why an orange lens makes sense at night.
How Long Does Light Sensitivity Last After a Concussion?
For many people it eases as other symptoms settle. If it lasts more than a few weeks, or is getting worse, see your doctor. They may refer you to an eye doctor or concussion specialist.
Can I Drive With Tinted Glasses After a Concussion?
No. Don't drive in colored lenses, because some tints make traffic signals harder to read. Your doctor will tell you when you're ready to drive again.
Conclusion
Light sensitivity is common after a concussion, and a tinted lens can make daily life more comfortable while you recover. There's no single right color, so try what suits you: a rose or blue tint indoors, a dark lens outside, and orange in the evening. Treat them as a comfort aid, not a treatment, keep them off when driving, and keep your doctor involved, especially if symptoms linger.
