If you spend hours looking at your laptop, scrolling through your phone or working at a computer, you've probably heard about Blue Light lenses. They're increasingly common, but what exactly do they do, and how can they help when you're spending so much time looking at screens?

Blue Light lenses are designed to filter some of the blue light emitted by digital screens and artificial lighting. They can be fitted with or without a prescription, making them an option whether you already wear glasses or simply want an additional lens feature for your screen-heavy lifestyle.

But before you add Blue Light technology to your next pair, it's worth understanding how it works and how it can facilitate more comfortable vision throughout your day.

 

New to prescription glasses?

You may also find our A Beginner's Guide to Prescription Glasses and Lens Options for a simple introduction to Single Vision, Reading, Varifocal, Ready Reader, Blue Light and our Fashion lenses.

 

What Is Blue Light?

Blue light is part of the visible light spectrum and is naturally present in sunlight. We're also exposed to it from everyday digital devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops and computer monitors, as well as LED lighting.

Not all blue light is something you need to avoid. Daylight, for example, contains plenty of blue light and plays an important role in keeping your body's natural sleep-wake cycle in sync.

The question is really about how much time you're spending looking at screens, particularly over long periods.

 

What Are Blue Light Lenses?

Blue Light lenses use lens technology designed to filter a portion of blue light from digital screens and artificial light sources.

They can be made as prescription or non-prescription lenses, depending on what you need.

At Fashion Eyewear, Blue Light technology can be added to your chosen optical frame, so you don't have to sacrifice your favourite style for a more functional pair of glasses.

They're particularly worth considering if your day involves long periods of:

• working on a laptop
• using desktop monitors
• scrolling through your phone
• watching television
• studying or reading on a tablet
• switching between multiple digital screens

 

How Do Blue Light Lenses Facilitate Your Vision?

Blue Light lenses are designed to filter a portion of blue light reaching the eyes, helping to create a more comfortable viewing experience when you're spending extended periods in front of digital screens.

For some people, prolonged screen use can be associated with tired or uncomfortable eyes. This can happen for several reasons, including focusing at close range for long periods, reduced blinking, screen brightness and glare.

Blue Light technology can therefore be considered as one part of creating a more comfortable visual experience during screen-heavy days.

However, Blue Light lenses aren't designed to replace good screen habits. Taking regular breaks, adjusting screen brightness and keeping your screen at a comfortable distance remain important too. Learn more about good screen habits as you scroll down.

 

Regular Clear Lenses vs Blue Light Lenses

So, what's actually different?

Regular clear lenses are designed primarily to provide clear vision according to your prescription.

Blue Light lenses provide the same vision correction while incorporating lens technology designed to filter some blue light.

This means you don't necessarily have to choose between fashion and function. Your favourite optical frame can be fitted with Blue Light lenses, depending on the frame and lens option selected.

 

Who Should Consider Blue Light Lenses?

There's no universal rule saying that everyone who uses a screen needs Blue Light lenses.

However, they may be worth considering if you:

💻 Work at a computer all day
If your laptop or monitor is part of your working life, Blue Light lenses can be an additional feature to consider when choosing your everyday glasses.

📱 Spend a lot of time on your phone
From messaging to social media and shopping, our phones can easily become a major part of our screen time.

🎓 Study or work digitally
Students and professionals who regularly move between laptops, tablets and phones may appreciate having a dedicated pair with Blue Light technology.

🌙 Use screens in the evening
If you're scrolling or working late, Blue Light lenses can be considered as part of a more comfortable screen-time setup.

 

What About Screen Breaks?

Blue Light lenses work best as one part of good screen habits, rather than a replacement for them.

Try the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something around 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.

It can also help to:

• keep your screen at a comfortable distance
• adjust your screen brightness
• reduce glare from windows and overhead lighting
• blink regularly
• maintain good posture
• take longer breaks throughout the day

Your eyes deserve a break, too.

 

Blue Light Lenses at Fashion Eyewear

At Fashion Eyewear, Blue Light technology is available with both Single Vision and Varifocal lenses, depending on your requirements.

You can choose Clear or Photochromic lenses with Blue Light technology, giving you the flexibility to create eyewear suited to your everyday routine.

For example:

Single Vision + Clear + Blue Light
A straightforward option for everyday prescription glasses, particularly if you spend much of your working day at a computer.

Single Vision + Photochromic + Blue Light
A versatile option if you regularly move between indoor and outdoor environments while still wanting Blue Light technology for your everyday glasses.

Varifocal + Clear + Blue Light
Ideal if you need distance, intermediate and near vision correction in one pair while spending significant time on screens.

Varifocal + Photochromic + Blue Light
Combines multiple-distance vision with light-sensitive technology and Blue Light filtering for a more versatile everyday pair.

Currently, Blue Light technology is not available with Fashion Eyewear's full tint, gradient or polarised sunglass lens options.

At Fashion Eyewear, premium lens technologies are available from TruOptics, ZEISS and Essilor, depending on your prescription and selected lens package.

 

Final Thoughts

Blue Light lenses are designed to make your everyday eyewear work a little harder for a screen-focused lifestyle. By filtering a portion of blue light while maintaining your prescription correction, they can form part of a more comfortable visual experience during long periods of digital use.

Whether you choose Single Vision or Varifocal, and Clear or Photochromic lenses, Blue Light technology can be tailored to how you use your glasses.

So if your laptop, phone or tablet is rarely more than an arm's length away, Blue Light lenses could be a useful feature to consider when choosing your next pair.