Do Blue Light Glasses Have a Tint? Let’s Find Out

If you’ve ever tried on a pair of blue light glasses, you might’ve noticed this: Some lenses look perfectly clean, while others have a noticeable tint, which can be yellow or even amber.

One might wonder, “Is this tint supposed to be there, or is it just for aesthetics?

In this post, we’ll break it down and find out what’s going on behind that hue, and whether you should get a pair with clear lenses or the tinted ones.

Let’s get started.

What Causes the Tint in Blue Light Glasses?

Know that the tint isn’t just a design choice; it’s a result of the lens coating technology used to block or filter the blue light.

See, blue light sits at the higher-energy end of the visible white light spectrum, around 400 - 495 nanometers. Your digital screens and overhead fluorescent lights emit this light.

And when your eyes are exposed to it for too long or at the wrong time (After sunset), it can suppress melatonin, making it harder to fall asleep. If your eyes feel fatigued, strained, or even dry, it could be due to screen sessions without effective protection.

The solution? A special filtering layer that either absorbs or blocks the blue wavelengths. So when you wear blue light glasses, the incident light interacts with the coating, creating a visible tint.

The Different Types of Tints and What They Mean

Not all blue light glasses block the same amount of blue light; the tint can tell you a lot about how much protection you’ll get from a pair.

Here are the main types:

1. Clear Lenses

Clear lens blue light glasses on Sleepzm.com

As the name suggests, these glasses don’t have a tint; they won’t disrupt how you see things. They keep your color perception natural.

However, clean lenses block a smaller portion of blue light. The exact percentage range varies from brand to brand, but some block as low as 10 - 20%.

The good thing is that this is often enough to make your screen time less strainful without adding a visible tint.

So if you spend most of your time working on a computer or using your phone, clear lenses are great.

2. Light Yellow Lenses

Yellow tints filter out more blue light compared to clear lenses, which makes them great for people who stare at screens all day.

There’s a slight yellow tint that creates a warmer view and cuts glare and brightness. The result? Screen time feels easier on your eyes.

Although with yellow lenses, colors might look a bit softer, the trade-off is usually worth this small disruption: Less eye fatigue during long hours of work or leisure.

Like clear lenses, yellow tints aren’t ideal if your objective is to regulate your sleep-wake cycle. For that, you’ll need a more comprehensive protection (a higher blue light-blocking percentage).

3. Amber or Orange Lenses

Orange/amber blue light glasses on Sleepzm.com

These provide better blue light protection, blocking more than 90% of it. As a result, they’re ideal for evening use.

Why’s that? Because in the evening or at night, artificial blue light exposure delays our body’s release of melatonin, the hormone that signals our brain that it’s time to sleep.

We can put red lenses under the same category; they’re the most aggressive at blocking blue light, often offering more than 99% protection.

However, keep in mind that these lenses will alter your perception of colors; you won’t see them naturally.

So only use them if you don’t do tasks that require accurate color perception (E.g., graphic design, photography).

Does Tint Color Affect Effectiveness?

Yes, tint color affects the results, but it depends on what you’re trying to achieve with these glasses.

A darker tint usually means stronger filtering power, and amber/red tints are the best choice if you want to improve sleep.

However, if you just want a pair for screen time during the day, clear and yellow tints will do the job. They’re often the better choice as they don’t distort colors.

So it’s a trade-off:

Darker tint = better sleep, less blue light, more color shift
Clear tint = more natural color, lighter blue light reduction

Research supports this; studies suggest that individuals exposed to blue light before bed have lower melatonin levels, which affects sleep quality. Wearing darker tints can help you sleep better.

How to Choose the Right Tint for Your Needs

Choosing the right tint really depends on your lifestyle and when you use screens the most. Here’s a quick guide:

When You Use Screens	Best Tint	Why It Works
Daytime, office, or study	Clear	Subtle protection, no color distortion
Long work hours	Light yellow	Reduces glare and eye fatigue
Evening or night	Amber/Orange/Red	Blocks blue light, supports sleep

If you’re using screens all day and night (like most of us), you might even benefit from having two pairs, one clear and one amber/orange/red. Use clear ones during the day; switch to darker tints in the evening and night to help your body wind down naturally.

Are Tinted Blue Light Glasses Noticeable in Public?

This depends on the tint level; yellow tints are much less noticeable, while amber/orange/red tints are more visible.

Yellow-tinted glasses often just give a soft, warm hue; unless someone’s staring closely, they won’t notice much.

Where to Find Quality Blue Light Glasses Without Heavy Tint

If you prefer blue light-blocking glasses that don’t scream “Tinted”, look for clear lenses with anti-reflective coatings.

Make sure the specifications mention “Blue light blocking” and the blocking percentage. Also, avoid low-quality ones; true filtering comes from coating technology, not dye.

If you’re looking for a pair, Sleepzm has all the options. Here’s a recommended pair of clean-lens blue light glasses.

Daytime wayfarer blue light computer glasses from Sleepzm

Designed for men and women who use screens, these glasses bring a stylish edge while helping ease digital eye strain and minimize the long-term side effects of blue light exposure.

Do Blue Light Glasses Have a Tint: FAQs

Do All Blue Light Glasses Have a Yellow Tint?

No, not all blue light-blocking glasses have a yellow tint. Some come with clear lenses; although they block a lower percentage of blue light, clear lenses are great for daytime use.

Why Do Some Blue Light Glasses Look Orange?

Orange lenses block almost all blue light to help your body produce melatonin naturally. The general rule of thumb for these glasses is: the higher the blocking percentage, the more noticeable the tint.

Can I Wear Blue Light Glasses Outdoors?

Yes, you can wear blue light glasses outdoors, but the real question is “Should you?”. They’re not a substitute for sunglasses since they block UV rays.

Are Clear Blue Light Glasses Effective?

Yes, clear lenses still filter blue light, just not as aggressively as tinted ones (Amber, orange, and red). Clear lenses are ideal for daytime screen use.

Conclusion

The tint in blue light glasses isn’t just for style or aesthetics; it’s what makes these glasses effective.

If you’re mainly trying to reduce eye strain, a clear or lightly tinted pair will do just fine. But if the goal is to regulate your sleep-wake cycle, darker tints are the answer. The key is understanding what your body needs and finding what works best for you.