Do Blue Light Glasses Help With Migraines: Let’s Find Out

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve had a creeping headache after staring at screens for hours. 

And you’re probably wondering if blue light glasses can help your migraines and digital eye strain.

Here’s the good news: Blue light glasses do help with migraines, but their effectiveness depends on some factors, including:

• The quality and type of lenses
• Whether your migraine gets triggered by blue light

In this post, our focus will be on answering the question “Do blue light glasses help with migraines” from every angle possible. 

If you want to get a detailed look into how and when these glasses can help your migraine, read on. 

What are Blue Light Glasses Anyway?

These glasses have a special lens material that blocks the high-intensity blue light. 

You’ll find several variations of them in the market, depending on how much light they block. 

Clear Lenses: The tint isn’t noticeable, making them the least intrusive. However, they block the least amount of blue light, offering minimal benefits. 

Yellow Tints: These have a slightly darker tint and block more blue light. The tint is noticeable but color distortion is low. 

Amber Tints: These block almost all of the blue light coming from digital devices, making them perfect for night time use. 

The benefits of keeping this particular wavelength of light (Around 400 nm - 500 nm) are many. But, can it  help with migraines?

Do Blue Light Glasses Help With Migraines?

Let’s address the main point of this post in detail with references to scientific studies and expert opinions. 

Studies don’t yet have conclusive evidence that blue light glasses help with migraines. Some say it does, while others say “Maybe”. 

For instance, a study in 2017 had 10 people with migraines wear blue light glasses at night for a month. The result? They had fewer migraine days and they were less bothered by light. 

A relatively older study from 2002 suggested that tinted glasses reduced the frequency of migraines a bit. 

So, we can find some evidence from research that blue light glasses may help reduce migraines. 

However, note that not everyone benefits equally. Your lifestyle, eye health, and other factors also play their parts. 

Why It’s Different For Everyone

Over 90% of people who suffer from migraines hate bright light (Also known as light sensitivity). And blue light triggers the pain for 38% of them. 

So, if you feel a headache coming during a prolonged screen session, putting on blue light glasses can help avoid these migraines. 

However, if bright light doesn’t make your eyes uncomfortable, wearing these glasses may not make a big difference. 

How to Pick the Right Blue Light Glasses

When it comes to helping with light-induced migraines, not all blue light glasses are effective. 

If light sets off your migraines, here are the qualities you need to look at before choosing a pair of blue light glasses. 

Block the Right Light

Light in a specific wavelength range is classified as blue light (Roughly 400 - 500 nm). Importantly, the 480 - 500 nm range is typically responsible for triggering migraines. 

Most blue light glasses don’t block 100% of the blue light or don’t block that specific range (480 - 500 nm). 

So, for effective protection from migraines, make sure to use a pair of glasses that hit that 480 - 500 nm sweet spot. 

Try FL 41 Lenses

These lenses have an amber tint and are designed to block a broad spectrum of light that can spark your headaches, not just the blue light. 

FL 41 lenses are specifically designed for people with migraines, which makes them a natural choice. 

They can be a bit expensive, but if blue light triggers or worsens your migraines, they’re worth the investment. 

Prescription Or Non-Prescription

If you already wear prescription glasses and are light-sensitive, you can get blue light glasses with prescription.

Non-prescription glasses are only suitable for people who don’t have a vision issue. 

Read Reviews

Customer reviews are your guiding light when it comes to selecting a pair that offers exactly what you need. 

Reviews from real customers can shed light on the quality, effectiveness, comfort, and other aspects of a product, helping you make an informed decision. 

Beyond Glasses: Other Ways to Fight Migraines

Wearing protective glasses is one way to fight migraines; there are multiple other factors that contribute to these headaches. 

Here are some tips:

Take Screen Breaks: Practice the 20-20-20 rule to avoid stressing out your eyes. It involves looking at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds after every 20 minutes. 

Stay Hydrated: Dehydration is an important migraine trigger. Keep a water bottle with you all the time when you’re in front of a screen or out in bright sunlight. 

Chill Out: Stress is another major migraine trigger. When you’re feeling tense, try deep breathing and stretches. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s address some common questions related to whether blue light glasses help with migraines. 

How Do I Choose the Right Blue Light Glasses For Migraines?

Choose a pair of glasses that block 480 nm - 500 nm wavelength of light, ensure comfort, and check customer reviews. Consider the FL-41 tint for protection from a wide range of lights. 

Can Wearing Blue Light Glasses Help Migraines?

They may help reduce migraines or protect from them, especially if you have light sensitivity. Effectiveness depends on your migraine triggers. 

Are There Any Side Effects of Wearing Blue Light Glasses?

Blue light glasses are generally safe and have no side effects, except slight discomfort or color distortion. For many people, there’s usually a small adjustment period, which can extend up to 2 weeks. 

Do Blue Light Glasses Work For Everyone With Migraines?

No, they’re only effective for people with light sensitivity. If blue light isn’t your trigger or doesn’t make your migraines work, these glasses may not help. 

Conclusion 

If bright light triggers your migraines, a pair of high-quality blue light glasses may be the best addition to your screen-heavy lifestyle. 

Studies show that wearing blue light glasses can reduce migraine days for many people, especially the FL-41 lenses that block out the main culprit (Wavelengths between 480 and 500 nm). 

The bottom line is that if light, specifically blue light, is your main trigger, start wearing blue light glasses, especially when you’re in front of screens. 

Just make sure they’re high-quality and you’re getting the right tint (Light blocking range). 

Check Out Sleepzm’s Blue Light Collection