Do Blue Light Glasses Make You Tired?
Smartphones, TVs, and laptops have become a part of daily life for most of us. So, it’s no surprise that blue light glasses are becoming popular.
These glasses are toured as a perfect solution for strained eyes and disrupted sleep due to excessive or unnatural screen use.
But here’s an important question: Do blue light glasses make you tired? The short answer is yes, they can, but only if you don’t use them the right way.
In this guide, we’ll break down what role blue light plays in our routine lives, when blue light glasses make you tired, when you should use them, and some related questions.
Let’s get started.
Why Does Blue Light Matter?
To understand how blue light glasses make you tired, it’s crucial to know why you even need them in the first place.
See, these glasses have one purpose only: To block the incident blue light no matter the source. Digital screens are only one source; the Sun is at the top of the list. However, light from it serves a clear purpose. It keeps you alert during the daytime.
But here's the thing: Your brain thinks the Sun is still out when you expose your eyes to this high-energy light at night.
As a result, it makes you feel alert, just like it would during the day. This makes going to sleep hard.
How Blue Light Affects Sleep and Fatigue
Let's briefly discuss the technical relationship between blue light and your ability to sleep. Your brain releases a hormone called melatonin when it's time to wind down.
- During the day, natural blue light suppresses melatonin, keeping you alert
- At night, your body needs to produce melatonin to prepare for rest, so you don't need blue light
If you keep on using digital screens at night without effective protection, blue light will continue to suppress melatonin.
As a result, you may find it hard to fall asleep or feel mentally foggy the next day. Over time, the compound effect kicks in; your sleep cycle gets disturbed, and you feel tired.
The worst part? You may not even know that screens are playing a key role in it.
What Blue Light Glasses Actually Do
Blue light glasses have a filter, either applied on the surface of the lenses or embedded inside, that blocks blue light before it enters your eyes.
Some lenses are clear while others are tinted (Yellow, amber, orange, or red).
The amount or percentage of blue light a pair of glasses blocks depends on this lens color. Darker shades tend to block more, with red providing the most comprehensive protection (Almost 100%).
The potential benefits of wearing blue light glasses regularly are:
- Reduced digital eye strain
- Help with natural melatonin production, improving sleep quality and onset
Can Blue Light Glasses Make You Tired (Detailed Answer)
Blue light glasses don’t make you tired. It’s the wrong use of these glasses that could make you tired indirectly.
What they’re meant to do is block blue light, which can help you wind down at night. So, if you feel relaxed after wearing them in the evening, that’s a good thing.
Don’t confuse relaxation with tiredness. That’s your body finally getting the message that’s been blocked by unnatural blue light exposure after sunset.
However, if you wear these glasses when the sun is out, and feel tired during the day, blue light glasses might be the culprit.
As mentioned earlier, blue light from the sun keeps you alert. It even boosts your mood, helping you go through the day. By blocking the blue light, you’re confusing your brain and may feel drowsy hours before bed time.
This usually happens when you wear the wrong tints during the day. Clear lenses with a small blocking percentage are okay. It’s the darker tints that can make you tired by blocking out natural blue light.
Tips for Using Blue Light Glasses for Better Sleep
Blue light glasses are a powerful tool if you use them correctly. It’s all about the timing.
Use Them 2 - 3 Hours Before Bed
This is the window your body starts producing melatonin. Blocking blue light 2 - 3 hours before bedtime helps your body produce enough melatonin, supporting your body’s natural sleep cycle.
Avoid wearing high-tint blue light glasses during the day, unless you’re managing light sensitivity or working in a high-glare environment.
Don’t Wear Them All Day
Glasses with a low blocking percentage (10 - 40%) are better suited for daytime use as they counter digital eye strain without affecting alertness.
The ones that block more than 80% are best for nighttime wear.
Related Read: When Can You Wear Blue Light Glasses All Day?
Frequently Asked Questions
Let's briefly discuss some common questions related to whether blue light glasses can make you tired.
Can Using Blue Light Glasses Make You Feel Tired?
If you wear them during the day, when you're supposed to get blue light for alertness, you may feel tired. Use glasses with less blocking percentage if outdoor use is important.
Do Blue Light Glasses Reduce Eye Strain or Headaches?
Yes, these eyeglasses make your view comfortable and subtle, helping with digital eye strain and light sensitivity. They won't help if your headaches are caused by other reasons.
How Do I Know If Blue Light Glasses Are Effective?
You'll start noticing the positive impacts after a while, including reduced eye strain and improved sleep quality. Wearing them consistently for around a couple of weeks is important to see any noticeable changes.
Can Blue Light Glasses Help Reduce Tiredness?
Yes, indirectly. Wearing blue light glasses before going to bed improves sleep quality. When you wake up refreshed, you don't feel tired.
Conclusion
So, do blue light glasses make you tired? Not directly. But if you wear high-tint ones during the day or when the sun is out, your brain thinks it's night time, potentially making you sleepy or tired.
When you block blue light at night, you help your brain relax. Melatonin production kicks in and you're more likely to sleep on time. This means blue light glasses can help you feel refreshed and less tired if used correct.
