Do Blue Light Glasses Change Color?

Considering blue light glasses? They can have several positive impacts on your health and daily life. An improved sleep cycle and reduced chances of digital eye strain are a couple of prominent ones. 

However, there's possibly a small trade-off with them: A changed color perception. This can cause issues for some use cases, or color-sensitive applications, such as: 

• Graphic design
• Photography 
• Gaming/streaming 
• And maybe more

If you're wondering, “Do blue light glasses change color?”, this guide is for you. 

The one-word answer is “Yes”, but there's more to it. If you want to understand how blue light filters work, what your eyes see while wearing these glasses, how to pick the right type of pair, and other important questions, continue reading. 

How Blue Light Filters Work

To understand if, when, and how these glasses change color, you need to understand the types of filters. 

Clear Anti-Reflective Coatings

Blue light glasses with an anti-reflective coating filter out a portion of blue light coming from digital screens. These have a reflective coating as well, which reduces glare from bright light sources. Importantly, clear-lens glasses have minimal to no tint. 

Therefore, any change in color is almost imperceptible. Who are they ideal for? People who want some blue light protection but don’t want the tint to change how their environment or screen looks. 

Clear, anti-reflective coatings are suitable for tasks where color accuracy matters, such as graphic design, video editing, photography, and any visual work. 

Amber or Red Tinted Lenses

Now, this is where your visual perception might change. Amber tints block a broader range of blue light wavelengths, altering how things look to the user. 

So, white color might seem more yellow, and blue might seem warmer or muted. 

Red tints go a step further and block almost all blue light wavelengths. They’re perfect for people with sleep problems or digital eye strain. However, there’s a clear change in how colors or things look. 

Studies suggest that exposure to blue light after sunset often leads to disruption in your sleep cycle. Wearing red or amber tints can help counter this problem effectively, but there’s a trade-off (Changed color perception). 

Color Science: What Your Eyes See

The colors we see are just light at different wavelengths (~400 - 500 nm is blue light). When a blue light filter blocks this wavelength range, the colors you see shift towards warmer hues. 

However, with a 10% blocking percentage, you won’t notice much. With a 65 - 90% filter? You’ll instantly start noticing change. 

Now, even though this color perception shift isn’t harmful, it can be distracting depending on what you’re doing. This is why you need to know when to wear clear lenses and when to go for a darker tint. 

For example, let’s say you’re editing a photo and have to be careful with brand colors. Even a small shift in hue or how you interpret colors will throw things off. 

On the flip side, if you’re just watching a video or scrolling through social media, this change in color might not bother you at all. 

Photochromic Vs. Blue-Light-Only Glasses

Photochromic lenses are designed to provide a comfortable and safe viewing experience under sunlight. 

They offer protection from the harsh UV light (Ultraviolet rays) of the sun. But do they filter blue light? Some do, but only when they’re UV-activated, which means they’re ineffective against indoor blue light exposure (Digital screens). 

So, if you’re looking for blue light protection indoors, photochromic glasses won’t cut it, unless you add a blue light filter to them. 

You May Also Like: Wearing Blue Light Glasses All Day (Can You Do It?)

Picking a Perfect Pair

Here’s how you can pick the right type of lenses for your needs. 

Stick With Clear Lenses If:

• Your work requires color accuracy 
• You want a natural, everyday look 
• You’re uncomfortable with visual distortions

Stick With Tinted Lenses If:

• You work late, or stare at screens late at night, or in the evening 
• You experience headaches and eye strain
• You struggle falling asleep after screen use

Tip: Consider getting both types of blue light glasses. Clear for daytime use and tinted for relaxing in the evening. 

Testing Your Lenses

If you already have a pair of blue light glasses or want to test them yourselves before buying, here’s a simple, practical test:

Open a blank white document on your computer or phone and view it through your glasses. If it’s tinted, the white page will look warmer. 

Generally, tinted lenses will soften the light and make it warmer/softer for your eyes. 

Questions You Might Have

Do Blue Light Glasses Distort Colors?

Clear lenses don’t distort colors. Tinted lenses (Yellow, orange, red), however, distort colors. The intensity of this distortion depends on the blocking percentage of the glasses. Whites may appear yellowish and color tones become warmer. 

Can I Use Tinted Blue Light Glasses for Photo Editing?

It’s not ideal. Tinted lenses alter color perception, which can throw off your editing process. For accurate color perception, stick to clear lenses as they don’t interfere with how you see things. 

Are Color Shifts Harmful or Just Annoying?

Color shifts aren't harmful nor do they have any side effects, other than changing how you see colors. They may not even be annoying once you get used to the warmer hues.

Do Kids Need Blue Light Glasses Too?

Yes, especially if they spend a lot of time on screens. Blue light glasses can help reduce eye fatigue and regulate sleep cycle irrespective of who uses them. 

Conclusion 

Blue light glasses do change color, depending on their type. Darker tints cause a more significant color change while clear lenses are almost unnoticeable. 

It's important to understand different types of tints so that you can get the right one for your needs. 

The rule of thumb is that if you perform color-sensitive tasks or if your work requires accurate color perception, stick with clear lenses. 

If you also want comprehensive blue light protection, consider getting both types (Tinted and clear) with you and switch between them as needed. 

Read More: Do Blue Light Glasses Look Different?