Can You Wear Blue Light Glasses Outside?

You’ve probably heard that blue light glasses can help reduce eye strain from digital screens. But what about when you step into bright sunlight? Can you wear them outside?

Is wearing blue light glasses safe or even beneficial to wear during the day? In this post, we’ll discuss the following:

Can you wear blue light glasses outside
How do these glasses work
When should you wear them
What does the research say
And more

Let’s get started.

Wearing Blue Light Glasses Outside

So, can you wear blue light glasses outside? The short answer is yes, you can wear them outside.

You see, the Sun is the biggest source of blue light. During the day, this light serves a purpose: Keeping us alert and awake. Normal exposure to blue light from the sun is healthy for our circadian rhythm.

Plus, according to Harvard Health, blue light during the day can boost attention, reaction times, and even mood.

So, the real question should be “Should you wear blue light glasses outside?”. The answer is it depends on your needs.

Because if you’re using these glasses to filter out the sun’s blue light, you may feel sleepy during the day.

But there are several instances where you’d want to wear blue light glasses outside.

For instance, if you have light sensitivity or when you’re using digital devices outside. Blue light glasses can reduce glare and intensity (More on this later).

When Blue Light Glasses Help Outside

Mature bearded man use mobile phone with internet wireless connection wearing glasses. Adult male people chatting with smartphone outside. Sunlight in background

According to the Mayo Clinic, too much blue light can damage the delicate retinal cells deep in your eyes.

In addition, studies have shown that this wavelength of light is a risk factor for the onset of age-related macular degeneration.

So, keeping your exposure normal is crucial for eye health. Here are some instances you may want to wear blue light glasses outside.

Using Digital Devices Outside

If you use your mobile phone or laptop outside, wearing blue light glasses can help reduce glare.

However, note that this isn’t an alternative for sitting in a shaded area. It’ll only make the screen slightly easier on your eyes.

Light Sensitivity (Photophobia)

Conditions like migraine can make bright sunlight painful for some people. If your eyes are sensitive to sunlight, wearing specially tinted glasses may help.

For instance, the FL-41 rose-colored tint was developed for migraine patients. It filters out a portion of blue-green and blue-violet light, reducing the headache frequency of patients.

Driving at Night (Or Dawn)

Although blue light glasses aren’t designed for night driving, yellow or amber-tinted ones can help reduce glare from streetlights and headlights.

However, for daytime driving, you want to stick to polarized sunglasses to reduce glare and block ultraviolet rays.

Other Bright Conditions

A general use case for these glasses is when you want to tone down the harsh light. Note that these lights won’t cut down the brightness like sunglasses would. They’ll just make the light a little warmer for your eyes.

What Does Science Say

Let’s talk about what research says about blue light and eye health.

Blue Light vs. Eye Strain

Asian businessman with eyestrain

Too much of anything is bad. If you’re glued to your screens for work or leisure, your eyes might feel tired, dry, or strained.

But, although long exposures to blue light can cause eye strain, the more scientific reason is reduced blinking.

See, when you blink, your eye distributes the tears evenly. Without enough blinking (About 20 times a minute), your eyes can end up feeling dry and strained.

Blue Light and Sleep

The second and more concerning side effect of unnatural blue light exposure is sleep disturbances.

You see, you only need blue light before sunset. After that, any blue light exposure can suppress melatonin production (The sleep hormone).

Wearing amber-tinted blue light glasses can help with this, helping you sleep better at night and wake up refreshed.

Sunlight vs. Screen Light

Blue light from digital screens is more harmful than from the Sun, unless you have light sensitivity or a medical condition.

So, although the Sun is the biggest source of blue light, it's good for us. But, exposing yourself to this high-energy light after sunset can disturb your natural sleep cycle.

Protection from Blue and UV Light

Young cheerful business man looking at digital tablet with smile while standing on sunny street outdoors

When you're outside, the UV rays can do more damage than the blue light. But, what if you want protection from both?

Some blue light glasses come with UV protection. They not only protect the eyes from screen exposure but also block harmful UV rays.

This dual function makes them perfect for digital device users who spend significant time outdoors.

However, note that although these combined lenses can provide protection against blue and UV light, they’re not a replacement for traditional sunglasses in all outdoor scenarios.

Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s address a few frequently asked questions about blue light glasses and their outdoor use.

Can You Wear Blue Light Glasses Outside Effectively?

Yes, you can wear blue light glasses outside, especially if you have light sensitivity or use digital devices outdoors. They soften the glare and make sunlight a bit warmer for your eyes.

Is It Bad to Wear Blue Light Glasses When Not Looking at a Screen?

It’s not bad to wear blue light glasses when not looking at a screen. But their primary purpose is to block the unnatural blue light emitted by digital screens.

Why You Shouldn’t Wear Blue Light Glasses All the Time?

While they have insignificant side effects, wearing blue light glasses all the time might not be necessary. It could disturb your circadian rhythm by blocking the beneficial blue light from the sun.

Is It OK to Drive With Blue Light Glasses?

Yes, it’s OK to wear blue light glasses while driving. They can help reduce glare from oncoming headlights. However, make sure they don’t get in the way of clear vision.

Conclusion

Wearing blue light glasses, even outdoors, offers several benefits, like reducing glare from bright light sources and helping protect your eyes from excessive blue light exposure.

If you often use digital devices outside and prefer a softer, warmer view in bright sunlight, consider choosing blue light glasses that also offer built-in UV protection.