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Best BLUE LIGHT Blocking Glasses of 2020 - Blue Light Glasses Buyers Guide
Doctor Eye Health
Overview
This video guide explains how to choose blue light blocking glasses by focusing on key features like wavelength protection and lens color. It breaks down the science behind blue light, differentiating between high-energy visible light and light that affects sleep cycles. The guide then reviews various blue light glasses across different price points, from budget-friendly options on Amazon to higher-end choices available at optical shops, highlighting specific brands and their protection levels. It also touches on options for prescription wearers and emerging technologies in lens protection.
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Chapters
- Blue light spans wavelengths from 380 to 500 nanometers.
- The 380-450 nm range is high-energy visible light, potentially impacting retinal cells.
- The 450-500 nm range, particularly 450-480 nm, significantly affects sleep cycles by influencing melatonin production.
- Digital screens emit peak blue light intensity around 455 nm, aligning with the range that disrupts sleep.
Understanding the different types of blue light and their specific effects helps you choose glasses that target your primary concern, whether it's eye strain or sleep disruption.
The speaker explains that blue light from 450-480 nm is most impactful on sleep cycles, and conveniently, computer screens emit light around 455 nm.
- Don't be swayed by flashy marketing; focus on technical specifications.
- Prioritize knowing the specific wavelengths of blue light the lenses block.
- Consider the lens color: darker yellow or amber lenses generally offer more protection for sleep cycles, but clear lenses with advanced technology are also available.
- Look for anti-reflective coatings to reduce glare from screens.
These features are crucial for ensuring the glasses you purchase actually provide the intended protection and are comfortable for extended wear.
The speaker advises against marketing that shows lasers passing through lenses, instead urging buyers to check for specific wavelength protection information.
- Budget options, often found on Amazon, may lack detailed specifications.
- The 'Omik' brand is mentioned as a favorite in this category, blocking about 35% of high-energy blue light.
- These lenses have minimal color distortion but may have lower quality frames.
- Quality can be inconsistent in this price range; check for anti-reflective coatings.
These glasses offer a low-cost entry point for blue light protection, suitable if your primary concern is basic filtering of high-energy light.
The Omik glasses are noted for having very subtle yellow tint and an effective anti-reflective coating, despite having frames comparable to 'dollar store' quality.
- Higher quality frames and better fit are typical in this price range.
- Brands like EXYRA offer good frame selection and block ~70% of high-energy blue light but only ~10% for sleep cycles.
- Pixel and Felix Gray offer two lens types: clear (blocking ~90% of high-energy light) and amber/sleep lenses (blocking 40-50% of sleep-cycle light).
- Gunnar glasses, known for gaming, provide clear (35% block), yellow (65% block), and amber (98% block) options with user-friendly website information.
This segment offers a balance of improved quality, comfort, and more specific protection levels, allowing for a more tailored choice.
Pixel and Felix Gray's 'sleep lenses' have a noticeable yellow tint, which is expected when blocking light in the sleep cycle range.
- THL Sleep glasses are designed for maximum blue light blocking (~98% across the spectrum) with dark orange/amber lenses, prioritizing sleep quality.
- For prescription wearers, local optical shops offer advanced lens technologies.
- Preventzia is a common optical option, blocking 20-25% of blue light (415-450 nm) with clear lenses and a distinct purple anti-reflective hue.
- Transition lenses offer indoor blue light protection (~20%) and significant outdoor protection (~85%), with options to combine with other coatings.
These options cater to specific needs, from maximizing sleep protection to integrating blue light filtering into prescription eyewear seamlessly.
Preventzia lenses show a noticeable purple reflection when light hits them, indicating their anti-reflective and blue-light filtering properties.
- Kodak Total Blue lenses block up to 80% of high-energy blue light and have a slight yellow tint.
- BlueTech lenses are specifically designed for blue light protection, often patented, and work with local opticians.
- BlueTech offers protection in the critical 455 nm range without significant color distortion, keeping lenses virtually clear.
- Always ask your optician about the specific wavelengths and percentages of blue light protection offered by their lenses.
Understanding the proprietary technologies available at optical shops ensures you can make an informed decision about integrating blue light protection into your prescription eyewear.
BlueTech lenses are highlighted for their ability to block blue light at 455 nm while maintaining a clear lens appearance, a significant technological achievement.
Key takeaways
- Blue light has distinct wavelength ranges, with 380-450 nm affecting eye strain and 450-500 nm impacting sleep.
- Effective blue light glasses specify the wavelengths and percentage of light they block.
- Lens color is a key indicator: yellow/amber lenses offer more sleep protection, while clear lenses are preferred for minimal color distortion.
- Budget options may compromise on frame quality and detailed specifications.
- Mid-range and high-end glasses offer better frame quality, comfort, and more precise blue light filtering.
- Prescription wearers can find integrated blue light protection through specialized lenses and coatings at optical shops.
- Always inquire about specific protection details (wavelengths, percentages) from your optician or the product description.
Key terms
Blue lightWavelengthNanometers (nm)High-energy visible lightSleep cycleMelatoninRetinal cellsAnti-reflective coatingLens tintPrescription glasses
Test your understanding
- What are the two main ranges of blue light wavelengths discussed, and what distinct effects are associated with each?
- Why is it important to look beyond marketing claims when purchasing blue light glasses?
- How does the color of blue light blocking lenses typically relate to their effectiveness in protecting sleep cycles?
- What specific information should you ask your optician about when considering blue light protection for prescription lenses?
- How do brands like Pixel/Felix Gray and THL Sleep differentiate their offerings for users concerned about eye strain versus sleep disruption?