How to Tell If Blue Light Glasses Are Real?

Let’s face it. Today, screens are practically an extension of ourselves. Most of us barely spend any time without our mobile phones and laptops. 

As a result, our eyes are constantly bombarded with blue light. Wearing blue light glasses can help reduce eye strain and improve your sleep. 

But, walk into any store or online shop and you’ll find it hard to pick a single pair; there are so many options.  

The truth is, not all blue light glasses are made equal, and not all of them are suitable for your needs, even if they’re high-quality. 

How do you tell if a stylish pair of blue light blockers can actually protect your eyes by blocking enough blue light?

This post discusses the features and qualities to consider while selecting blue light glasses. We’ll address the question, “How to tell if blue light glasses are real?” in detail. 

Let’s get started. 

Why Verification Matters

Because blue light glasses work, the market is booming. But it’s also rife with misleading claims. 

If a pair blocks 90% of the blue light, it should have some noticeable qualities, such as an amber or red tint. 

You may also see bold claims like “Complete protection”, which isn’t always close to reality.

Understanding what to look for in a pair of blue light eyeglasses protects you from:

• Wasted money (Paying for glasses that offer minimal benefits)
• A false sense of security (Believing your eyes are protected when they’re not)

7 Ways to Tell If Blue Light Glasses Are Real

You don’t have to do lab tests to know if a pair of blue light glasses is real and offers the promised benefits. 

Here are some simple and practical ways to test them yourself:

The Tint Test

This is the simplest authenticity check. Pick up the glasses and look through the lenses. Genuine blue light-blocking glasses will almost always have a slight yellow, amber, or red tint. 

Why’s that? This tint is the physical manifestation of the coating that filters out a specific wavelength range from the white light. 

Importantly, be skeptical about claims of “Effective protection” by a pair that has fairly clear lenses and doesn’t have a visible tint. 

While advanced clear lenses can block some blue light from passing through, it’s usually around 10 - 20%. 

Eyeglasses can’t block the higher, more impactful wavelengths of blue light (430 - 455nm) without a noticeable color shift. 

The Reflection Check

Hold the glasses under a bright light source. This can be sunlight or a lamp. Tilt the lenses slightly and look for a noticeable color change on the lens surface. 

If you see a blue/violet/purple reflection, there’s a genuine blue light-blocking coating. If the reflection is green or blue-green, it signifies an anti-reflective coating. 

If there’s no coating reflection, it’s probably because there’s no significant blue light coating present. 

Look at the Data (Transparency is Key)

Reputable brands invest in lab tests and share the results with potential customers. Check their spectral transmission reports and look for:

• Specific wavelengths that their glasses block
• Blocking percentages

Check Blocking Percentage

The percentage of blue light a pair of eyeglasses blocks determines its effectiveness and purpose. 

Clear lenses block a small amount, which makes them suitable for casual, daytime wear.

If the lenses are slightly yellow, they may block a good portion of blue light (Anywhere around 30 - 50%). They're good for combating digital eye strain. 

Amber or red tints block most of it, making them the right option for evening and night use. These are the types of lenses that can help you sleep better. 

Knowing all those numbers can help you understand what type of glasses can actually make a difference in your routine. 

Scrutinize the Price 

Expensive doesn’t always mean effective, and cheap doesn't always mean fake. 

However, be wary of extremes. You can't expect a $5 - $15 pair to offer 90% blue light blocking. 

Moderately priced glasses ($30 - $100) often have slightly tinted lenses and verifiable blocking percentages. 

High-end blue light blockers can be over $100. They should have premium materials, strong blocking, and a comprehensive lab report for verification. Remember that you're paying for lens tech, not just a designer name. 

Visit Your Eye Care Professional 

Eye care specialists have tools and devices that can measure the transmission spectrum of your lenses. They can even tell you which wavelengths your lenses block and by how much. It's probably the best way to confirm authenticity. 

Key Red Flags

Here are some common red flags to be aware of when selecting a pair of blue light glasses:

• Bold claims like, “Blocks 50%+ blue light with clear and tinted lenses”
• No transparency by the brand
• Only mentions UV blocking (Important, but not the same as blue light blocking)
• Brand is unknown, has no website or online presence

Frequently Asked Questions 

Let's address some commonly asked questions about how to tell if blue light glasses are real. 

How Do I Know If My Glasses Are Blue Light?

Look for a subtle yellow or amber tint when viewing white surfaces. The lens reflection under bright light should be blue-violet or purple. 

How Can You Tell If Glasses Are Fake?

Clear lenses claiming to block a high amount of blue light (50%+) are likely fake. Also, look for a blue reflection from the lenses under bright light. 

Do Cheap Blue Light Glasses Work?

Very cheap ones ($5 - 15%) generally block a low amount of blue light (10 - 15%). They don't offer enough filtering to reduce digital eye strain and improve sleep. 

Conclusion

To find real blue light glasses, you need to know what to look for. Otherwise, you may end up with an ineffective pair and waste your money without getting the desired protection. 

We've discussed several ways to verify the authenticity; a tint check is the simplest one. A yellow, orange, or amber/red tint means there's a blue light coating. 

Also, look for blue or violet reflections when the lenses are exposed to bright light. 

Clear lenses do block some blue light, but in low amounts. In case you want a pair with clear lenses, use a different verification technique or simply visit an eyecare specialist.