Can Blue Light Glasses Be Clear? Let’s Find Out

When you think of blue light glasses, you might imagine those yellow, amber, or red tints. But, those aren’t the only shades these glasses come in.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably wondering, “Can blue light glasses be clear?”. The answer is yes, clear blue light glasses do exist, and they can even be a better option than dark tints for some people.

In this blog post, we’ll break down how blue light glasses work, whether they have to be tinted, when you should consider clear lenses, and more.

Let’s get started.

Do Blue Light Glasses Have to Be Tinted?

Not at all. Blue light glasses can be clear. Tinted lenses are designed to block more blue light than clear lenses, often in the 450 - 500 nm wavelength range.

The darker the tint, the more aggressive these glasses will be at blocking blue light. Darker tints offer extra protection, which makes them suitable for gamers, students, and anyone who spends long hours in front of digital screens (A major source of blue light).

They’re not for everyone. You may not need to block a high percentage of blue light, especially if your screen use is limited. Plus, dark tints may not suit your environment and preferences. This is where clear blue light glasses come in.

How Do Clear Blue Light Glasses Work?

Three blue light glasses in parallel with their boxes beneath them

Blue light glasses with clear lenses block a small percentage of the intense blue light. While the exact percentage may vary depending on the brand and technology, they usually block 20% - 40% blue light.

This may seem small, but it’s often enough to ease eye strain and make your visual experience more comfortable. Graphic designers, for instance, would want everything to look natural, which makes clear lenses a more practical option for them.

While they may not block a significant amount of blue light, clear lenses offer a good balance between function, appearance, and comfort.

Clear Vs. Tinted Lenses: Pros and Cons

Let’s compare both types of lenses and help you pick the right option for your needs and preferences.

Here are some benefits of clear blue light glasses:

They look like regular glasses
Great for daytime use and professional settings
There’s minimal to no color distortion, so you can perform color-sensitive tasks effectively

However, the amount of blue light these glasses block is insufficient for some users. For instance, they can’t offer enough blue light protection to improve your sleep quality.

How does blue light exposure affect your sleep?

When you put yourself under the influence of blue light after sunset, your brain thinks it’s still daytime. This makes it tough for you to sleep on time. Clear glasses aren’t designed to help you in this aspect.

Pros and Cons of Tinted Blue Light Glasses

Color letter block in word pros cons on wood background

Tinted lenses or glasses that aren’t clear block more blue light. Yellow tints block a little less than orange or amber tints, while red tints offer maximum protection.

What this means is that these glasses block a wider range of blue light wavelengths (Even close to 100%).

This makes high-tint lenses suitable for night wear (In the evening or before sleep). When you don’t expose yourself to high-energy blue light, you make it easier for yourself to sleep on time. This regulates your circadian rhythm.

However, you don’t want to wear these lenses all day. Blue light from the Sun boosts your mood and keeps you alert, so avoid wearing dense tints outside.

Also, tinted lenses can change your color perception, making them an unsuitable choice for color-sensitive tasks, such as image editing and photography.

The ideal time and occasion to wear blue light glasses with a tint is:

Either when you’re using a digital screen (Yellow or orange)
Or, 1 - 2 hours before sleep (Amber or red)

Are Clear Blue Light Glasses Effective?

Yes, they're effective. Even partial protection from harsh blue wavelengths can reduce digital eye strain and fatigue.

However, don't expect them to work if you're spending 8+ hours in front of screens, especially at night. For a more comprehensive protection, you need high-tint lenses.

Who Should Use Clear Blue Light Glasses?

Surprised bearded man in eyeglasses isolated on blue

Clear blue light glasses are perfect for everyday use. If you spend a few hours on screens and don’t want the hue to change your color perception, these glasses are a solid pick for you.

They’re ideal for:

Teachers
Freelancers
Office workers
Designers
Students
Anyone who uses screens during the day but not at night.

For screen use at night, even if it’s for an hour or two, use tinted glasses for better results.

Questions You Might Have

Let’s address some questions you may have about clear and tinted blue light glasses.

Do Blue Light Glasses Need to Be Tinted?

No, they can be clear. These blue light glasses block a narrow range of blue light, which makes the lenses clear. You can use them in the daytime, and if your screen time is short.

Can You Use Blue Light Glasses as Normal Glasses?

Yes, you can use clear lenses as normal glasses. They don't have any significant side effects. However, they can't replace your prescription glasses.

What Color Should Blue Light Glasses Be?

This depends on your goals or how much blue light you want to block. Highly tinted ones block a higher percentage of blue light, making them suitable for nightwear. Clear lenses are more suited to daytime use.

What Color Cancels Out Blue Light?

The yellow-orange or amber color cancels out the high-energy blue light. It filters or blocks the blue color, reducing its impact on your eyes.

Can You Block 100% of Blue Light?

Modern blue light-blocking lenses can block almost all the blue light. Red tints, for instance, block most of it, offering comprehensive protection against digital screens.

Conclusion

Blue light glasses can be clear; it's a type of blue light glasses that block some of the blue light, allowing some or most of it to pass through.

As a result, they can effectively counter digital eye strain during daytime screen use. However, clear lenses aren't ideal for nightwear or if you want to improve your sleep onset or quality. For that, you need a pair that blocks more than 90% of the blue wavelengths.