Can You Wear Blue Light Glasses All Day? A Detailed Answer

You’re working on your laptop, scrolling through your Facebook feed, and watching TV for hours, and your eyes are begging for rest. Sound familiar?

Can you do something about it? Yes, wear blue light glasses! Why? Because they block the high-intensity blue light, which can cause eye strain.

You’re exposed to these rays almost all day (Even the sun emits blue light). But, is wearing these glasses all day a good idea? Are there any drawbacks to it? What does science say about that? Can wearing these glasses help you sleep better?

This post addresses all those questions, with the latest research and expert insights.

Let’s dive in.

Can You Wear Blue Light Glasses All Day?

The short answer? Yes, blue light glasses are safe to wear all day. Wearing them for extended periods don’t harm your eyes or vision.

In fact, there’s a study that found no evidence of significant side effects from wearing blue light glasses.

However, whether you need to wear blue light glasses all day depends on your lifestyle choices. For instance, if you’re sitting in front of a computer for several hours, wearing them might help reduce eye strain and improve sleep.

But, there’s less need for these glasses when you’re outside or not using any screens. Also, note that lenses that are highly tinted, like amber ones, may distort colors.

This can be a problem if you require accurate perception of colors, for instance, if you’re a graphic designer.

When Are Blue Light Glasses Most Useful?

The best times to use blue light glasses is when you’re in front of a screen. This can be your laptop, mobile phone, tablet, or even TV.

Putting on amber-tinted glasses a few hours before going to bed might help improve your sleep quality.

You May Also Like: Advantages of Using Light Blocking Glasses

A Little About Blue Light Glasses

Blue light glasses block high-energy blue light, which is a portion of the visible light spectrum.

White light, as you perceive it, is a combination of all visible wavelengths, often described as seven colors—violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red—that blend to create the appearance of white.

By filtering this high-energy light, blue light glasses can help reduce eye strain from prolonged exposure to digital displays.

Plus, since the blue light can also disrupt the production of the sleep hormone melatonin, wearing these glasses can also help you sleep better at night.

Blue lights come in different types:

Clear lenses: Block just enough blue light with a minimal and unnoticeable tint
Yellow-tinted lenses: Block a good chunk of blue light and have a noticeable yellowish tint
Amber-tinted lenses: Block most of the blue light and have a reddish-golden or deep orange tint

The Science Behind Blue Light

Blue light isn’t all bad - it regulates your body’s internal clock, keeping you awake during the day.

But, too much of it? That can mess up your sleep. According to a study, blue light from digital devices may disrupt sleep by suppressing melatonin.

But there’s no conclusive evidence that exposure to blue light causes long-term eye damage. Yet, many people report eye strain after long screen sessions.

So, while it can negatively impact your sleep quality, blue light’s role in eye strain isn’t clear.

The Benefits of Wearing Blue Light Glasses

Serious brunette businessman, wearing in casual blue shirt and glasses, working in office with laptop, notebook and cup of coffee, on background of bookshelves, waist up

With mixed research, you might still want relief from eye strain and better sleep. Here are some prominent benefits of wearing them:

Eye Strain Relief: If you spend hours in front of the screen, your eyes can feel dry, irritated, and tired.

Blue light glasses can help reduce eye discomfort by blocking out some blue light from digital screens.

Improved Sleep Quality: A study found that people with self-reported insomnia slept better after wearing purple-tinted blue light glasses.

Why’s that? Because wearing blue light glasses in the evening before bed can help your body produce melatonin more effectively.

Potential Drawbacks of Wearing Blue Light Glasses All Day

While it’s safe to wear blue light glasses all day, there are a few potential downsides to wearing them all day.

Color Distortion

Clear lenses don’t distort colors. You don’t even notice a tint while wearing them. But, glasses with a high tint may distort colors, which can be frustrating in some cases like working on a design project.

For instance, a red apple may look orange in yellow-tinted glasses.

Over-Reliance

With blue light glasses, you may end up working for hours without taking a break.

Pro tip: Implement the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet apart for 20 seconds.

Cost

Blue light glasses tend to be a bit expensive, especially the high-quality ones. Cheaper lights may not be as effective in filtering out the high-energy wavelength (The blue light).

Practical Tips for Using Blue Light Glasses

If you want to try blue light glasses, here are a few tips to get the most out of them.

Choose the Right Tint: For daytime use, go for clear or lightly tinted lenses. If you’re glued to the screen in the evening or night, yellow or amber tints can help with sleep.

Best Practices: Even when you’re wearing blue light glasses, make sure to give your eyes some rest during long screen hours (Implement the 20-20-20 rule).

Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s tackle some common questions.

Do Blue Light Glasses Actually Work?

Yes, they can help reduce eye strain and help with sleep by blocking the high-energy blue light, but the scientific evidence is mixed.

Can I Wear Blue Light Glasses While Driving?

Yes, but avoid wearing heavily tinted lenses, especially at night, as they can reduce visibility. Clean lenses are fine for daytime driving.

Are Blue Light Glasses Safe for Kids?

Yes, but since children’s eyes are still developing, it’s better to consult a pediatric eye specialist first.

How Do I Test the Effectiveness of Blue Light Glasses?

You should notice a reduced glare from screens and an improved sleep when using blue light glasses.

Conclusion

So, can you wear blue light glasses all day? Yes, they’re completely safe. There are no significant side effects to wearing them for extended periods.

But, the real question should be “Do you need to wear them all day?”. This can vary from person to person.

If you’re glued to the screen for work or leisure, you’ll need them more. When you’re outside or not exposed to digital screens, you can take them off.

Also, remember that your eyes need rest, too. So, in addition to filtering out the blue light, take regular screen breaks.