Do Blue Light Glasses Hurt Your Eyes At First?

If you’re reading this, you’re probably curious whether blue light glasses hurt your eyes at first. 

Maybe you’ve just bought a pair and your eyes feel slightly off, and you want to know why. 

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Feeling uncomfortable is normal, but you get used to it with time. 

In this guide, we’ll cover the topic from different angles, helping you understand:

• Do blue light glasses hurt your eyes at first
• What blue light glasses are
• Why is there an adjustment period
• Tips to adjust to blue light glasses
• An overview of what science says
• And more

Let’s dive right in. 

Do Blue Light Glasses Hurt Your Eyes At First?

The short answer is “It’s possible, but it depends on several factors”. Usually, there’s a small adjustment period. Your brain and eyes get used to these glasses after a week or two. 

Some people may not even notice them, but many people experience symptoms like:

• Eye strain 
• Headaches
• Dizziness

These can be similar to when you first wear prescription glasses. Your eyes and brain are adjusting to the new way you see. 

So, if your eyes feel weird or abnormal after wearing blue light glasses, give them time to adjust. 

According to experts, experiencing these symptoms is normal if the adjustment period is not too long. 

See your eye doctor for expert opinion if any of the above symptoms last for two weeks. 

With that out of the way, let’s get back to the basics of blue light for a minute. 

What are Blue Light Glasses?

Blue light glasses are designed for one purpose: blocking or filtering the blue light, no matter its source. 

So, if you wear them outside, they’ll block blue light from the Sun. 

Wearing these glasses while using any type of screen offers two potential benefits:

1. Reduce digital eye strain
2. Improve sleep quality (By normalizing the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone)

Blue light has high energy. Prolonged exposure to it, especially from screens, may lead to:

• Eye strain & fatigue
• Sleep issues

Why Is There An Adjustment Period?

When you start wearing blue light glasses, your eyes and brain have to adapt to the new way of seeing things. 

Depending on the tint (Yellow or amber), these lenses block a certain percentage of blue light, making colors look different. 

As a result, you may feel strange at first. This transition can take longer if you’re new to wearing glasses. 

Also, non-prescription blue light glasses are typically easier to get used to. Prescription glasses have a longer adjustment span. 

What Causes Initial Discomfort?

Let’s break down the main culprits that usually cause discomfort as you try to incorporate blue light glasses into your lifestyle. 

Tips to Adjust to Blue Light Glasses

Let’s give you some actionable tips to help you adjust to these glasses quickly. 

Wear Them Consistently: The simplest way to get used to these glasses is by wearing them more often. 

Put them on whenever you’re in front of a digital screen. The more you use them, the faster your eyes and brain adjust. 

Check Your Fit: If your new glasses are sliding down your nose (Too loose) or gripping your face too tightly, get an optician to adjust the size. 

Verify the Prescription: Wearing prescription blue light glasses? Double-check with your eye doctor that you have the correct prescription. 

What Does Science Say About Blue Light Glasses?

Here’s the good news: Blue light glasses don’t have any significant side effects, besides slight discomfort during the adjustment period. 

A systematic review suggests wearing blue light glasses might help with sleep if used at night. 

However, according to this scientific study, tinted lenses, like the ones that block blue light, can affect your color vision, causing initial discomfort in color perception. 

Understanding Blue Light and Your Eyes

Blue light is a small part of the broad white light spectrum. If you’ve seen a rainbow, you’ll notice that it’s divided into 7 colors; one of them is blue. 

It’s sandwiched between violet and indigo. 

While the Sun is the biggest source of blue light, our digital screens and fluorescent lights also emit this light. 

Choosing The Right Blue Light Glasses

If you don’t yet have a pair of blue light glasses and want to try them, here’s how you can pick the right pair. 

Prescription or Non-Prescription: Have a pair of prescription glasses already? Get your optometrist to add a blue light filter to your lenses. 

Alternatively, you can get non-prescription ones from a reliable brand like Sleepzm. 

Blue Light Blocking Range: Look for glasses that offer protection from the 400 nm to 450 nm wavelength range (Eye strain, headaches, and sleep problems are generally associated with this range). 

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some commonly asked questions about whether blue light glasses hurt your eyes at first. 

How Long Does It Take to Adjust to Blue Light Glasses?

Most people get used to blue light glasses in a few days to two weeks. Wearing them consistently can help your eyes adjust to the tint quickly. 

Can Blue Light Glasses Damage Your Eyes?

Blue light glasses are safe for your eyes. Temporary discomfort, like strain or headache, may occur, but no evidence suggests damage. 

Why Does My Head Hurt When I Wear Blue Light Glasses?

Blue light glasses-related headaches may occur due to poor lens quality and improper fit. Your eyes adjusting to the tint may be another reason. 

Do Blue Light Glasses Feel Weird At First?

Yes, blue light glasses may feel weird at first because of the yellow or amber tint. This usually disappears in a few days as your brain adjusts to the tint. 

Conclusion 

Blue light glasses don’t hurt your eyes. They’re just like normal glasses with a tint on the lenses to block the blue light wavelengths. 

You may experience slight discomfort, eye strain, and headaches, but they usually disappear after a few days.

However, if the adjustment period exceeds two weeks, see your eye doctor for expert guidance.