Can You Use Blue Light Glasses for Reading Books?

The habit of book reading offers a perfect escape from a screen-heavy lifestyle.

However, whether you're fond of the classic paperback or like e-readers, both can leave your eyes tired, dry, or strained.

Blue light glasses can offer some protection, particularly against the effects of digital screens. 

However, can you use blue light glasses for reading physical books? Yes, you can. But should you?

In this post, you'll learn about the protective qualities of blue light glasses and when you should wear them for reading. 

Let's dive in. 

Why EBook Screens Cause Strain and How Glasses Might Help

If you're absorbed in your tablet, phone, or computer for hours, your screens aren't just showing text. 

They're emitting a high-energy, visible blue light, and constant exposure to this light has several downsides.

This is where blue light glasses act as a potential savior; they have a coating that filters out blue wavelengths.

Here are a couple of ways blue light exposure can negatively impact your health and how wearing protective glasses can help.  

Eye Strain 

Screens are an active source of blue light, fundamentally different from paper. When you read a physical book, you see text because of the light reflecting from the paper. 

Screens emit a large amount of blue light; prolonged and close-range exposure to this light can cause digital eye strain. 

What’s digital eye strain? If your eyes feel dry, your vision becomes blurry, or you start to feel a headache after a screen session, you’re experiencing digital eye strain. 

While not a science-backed fact, blue light from screens may contribute to digital eye strain, so wearing protective glasses can help.  

Sleep Sabotage

A delayed sleep onset is another common side effect of unnatural blue light exposure, particularly after sunset. 

Sunlight contains blue light, which helps your circadian rhythm by keeping you alert and awake during the day. 

While reading ebooks on screens at night, you expose your eyes to artificial blue light, which gets in the way of melatonin production (Your sleep hormone). 

So, wearing blue light-blocking glasses, especially amber-tinted ones (Block 90+% of blue light), can regulate your sleep cycle. 

Screen Glare

A combination of screens and overhead lights creates glare, which forces your eyes to adjust constantly. 

By wearing a pair of blue light-blocking glasses, you can reduce this glare and make your reading time more comfortable. 

Beyond Blue Light: A Complementary Benefit 

Many blue light glasses come with an amber and yellow tint. This can increase the contrast against the white background on most e-readers, making text appear warmer and less harsh on your eyes.

Best Practices for Digital Reading 

When it comes to protecting your eyes comprehensively, wearing eyeglasses isn't enough. 

You need to follow good eye hygiene as well. Here's what that means:

Use Tech First 

Glasses aren't your only line of defence against blue light. 

The devices you use also have a night mode that makes the display warmer. 

Alternatively, you can use software tools like f.lux on Windows. 

Implement Healthy Screen Habits

Rest Your Eyes Regularly: When you're glued to a screen, it's easy to forget that your eyes need rest, too. 

Ideally, you want to practice the 20-20-20 rule religiously. This means looking at anything that's 20 feet apart from you for 20 seconds after every 20 minutes. 

You can set an alarm for it to stay organized. If it seems too overwhelming, just make sure you give your eyes rest whenever you can. 

Blink More Often: Blinking distributes tears across your eyes; a lack of it leads to dryness and discomfort. 

Make a conscious effort to blink fully while reading books on a digital device. To treat dry eyes, consider using eye drops. 

When Glasses Make Sense for EBooks

Blue light glasses provide an effective filter for blue light, potentially reducing eye strain for some people. 

If you’re reading in the evening, these eyeglasses can protect your sleep cycles by regulating melatonin production. 

Physical Books and Blue Light Glasses

Blue light glasses don't offer any significant benefits for reading physical books under normal conditions. Here's why:

The Light Source is Different

Unlike digital screens, paper doesn't emit light. You see the words on a physical paper because it reflects light (From lamp, tube light, etc.). 

The amount of blue light that reaches your eyes through this route is minimal. So, wearing blue light glasses while reading physical books won't do much good. 

The Real Causes of Physical Book Strain 

Discomfort, while reading a physical book, stems from:

Poor Lighting: Lighting should be optimal; not too dim, not too bright, and use the right color.

Uncorrected Vision: If you need reading glasses or an updated prescription.

Dry Eyes: Lack of enough breaks and insufficient blinking can lead to dry and uncomfortable eyes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Blue Light Glasses Good for Reading?

They're primarily useful for digital screens (ebooks, tablets) to reduce eye strain and improve sleep. They're unnecessary for physical books.

When Should You Not Wear Blue Light Glasses?

Avoid wearing them in extremely low-light conditions and for tasks that require accurate color perception (e.g., graphic design). 

Should I Wear Blue Light Glasses When Reading a Kindle?

Wear blue light glasses only if you're reading from a front-lit or backlit Kindle. E-ink Kindles without a light don't emit blue light, making these glasses unnecessary. 

Can You Wear Blue Light Reading Glasses All the Time?

Generally, they're safe, but unnecessary. You don't get any added benefit by wearing them while reading from physical books or away from screens. 

Conclusion 

Blue light glasses can be a valuable addition to your reading routine if you read on screens (Tablets, smartphones, etc.). 

They block the blue light coming from these screens, protecting your eyes from digital strain to some extent. 

Plus, if you're having a hard time falling asleep on time, they can help regulate your circadian rhythm. 

The important thing is knowing what type of blue light glasses you need and when you should wear them for maximum benefit. 

Check Out Our Blue Light Glasses for Reading