How Do Blue Light Blockers Protect Your Eyes, and Which Brands Are Best?

What is blue light?

Short-wavelength light, ranging from 400 to 495 nm, includes blue and violet light. This light has higher energy and suppresses melatonin production, a hormone crucial for sleep regulation.

How does blue light affect me?

Blue light disrupts melatonin production by activating certain photoreceptors in the eyes that are sensitive to short-wavelength light (400-495 nm). These receptor cells signal an area in the brain that serves as the body’s master circadian clock, delaying melatonin release. Normally, melatonin rises in response to darkness, aiding sleep, but blue light exposure delays this process, disrupting sleep onset and the circadian rhythm.

How do blue light blockers work?

Blue light blockers work by filtering out short-wavelength light (400-495 nm), particularly blue light emitted from screens and LED lighting. 

How can blue light blockers improve my sleep?

By blocking these wavelengths, blue light blocking glasses help maintain higher melatonin levels, leading to improved sleep quality, faster sleep onset, and increased sleep duration. 

Is this proven?

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Houston explored the effects of blue light blocking glasses on melatonin production and sleep quality. The participants wore blue light blocking glasses for three hours before bedtime over a two-week period. The results showed a 58% increase in melatonin levels, leading to improvements in sleep quality, faster sleep onset, and an additional 24 minutes of sleep per night. 

What should I look for in high quality blue light blockers?

High-quality blue light blocking lenses are defined by their ability to block 90-100% of blue light in the 400-495 nm range. Effective lenses use amber or yellow tints for maximum filtering, while clear lenses maintain color accuracy. Anti-reflective and anti-glare coatings reduce screen glare and eye strain, enhancing comfort. Additionally, scratch-resistant coatings and UV protection offer durability and comprehensive eye safety. Premium materials like polycarbonate ensure lightweight and long-lasting lenses, contributing to both performance and comfort.

Should I wear blue light blockers all day long?

You can wear blue light blockers all day, especially if you're frequently in front of screens, as they reduce eye strain and improve focus. But be aware, since blue light is important for daytime alertness and mood, blocking it all day might cause fatigue by increasing melatonin levels prematurely. Some lenses may also alter color perception, which can be inconvenient for specific tasks. It’s typically best to wear blue light blockers primarily in the evening to avoid sleep disruption. 

If you are as convinced as I am, now let's take a look at top brands.

1. Blue Light Block: Blue Light Block

Cost: $89.95

Lens Specs:

• (shown left) Nightfall Red lens: proven to block 100% of blue and green light from 380-550nm

• (shown right) Sundown Amber lens: proven to block 100% of blue from 400-500nm

• ScreenTime Clear Lens - These filter 50% of blue light at 400nm-500nm.

• DayMax Yellow Lens - These filter 70% of blue light at 400nm-500nm. Block 100% of blue light at 400-455nm.

• Lenses tested by a laboratory grade spectrometer. Reports here.   

• Prescription lenses available. 

• Impact and scratch resistant lenses.

Frames: Premium acetate frames made with stainless steel spring hinges. Foldable carry case and lens cloth included.

Shipping/Warranty: Returns, exchanges for store credit or refund within 30 days of your order delivery. Free shipping for exchanges.

2. Swanick: Swanick 

Cost: $89

Lens Specs: 

• Day lens: block 98% of blue light at 400 nm graduating to 45% at 450nm. This is considered the most harmful part of the blue light spectrum. Day lens also block between 21-45% of blue light between 450-500 nanometers. Allows a natural level of blue light exposure needed for optimal productivity during the day.

• Night lens: tested by third party laboratory, showing they block 99-100% of blue light between 400-500nm, and around 80% of green light up to 550nm.

• Both lens block 100% of UV light (below 400nm).

• Anti-reflective coatings.

• Protects against symptoms of digital eye strain and computer vision syndrome.

• Prescription lens available. 

Frames: BPA-free acetate frames. Flexible Spring Hinges. Multiple color options.

Shipping/Warranty: Free shipping on orders over $100+ and free returns in USA. 30-Day No-Risk Guarantee. 

3. Filter Optix: Filter Optix

Cost: $195 

Lens Specs: 

• Lens colors available: clear, yellow, orange, red.

• All lens: anti-reflective, anti-static, super-hydrophobic, grease resistant, scratch resistant 

• Clear: filters out 35% of  blue light spectrum at 400-495 nm and block all harmful blue-violet light (HEV) up to 410 nm giving a 100% UV protection with minimal color distortion. 

• Yellow lens: block 100% of all blue light up to 470 nm. Vibrant yellow tint.

• Orange lens:  block 100% of all blue light, and all green light up to 520 nm. Warm and vivid orange tint.

• Red lens: block 100% of all blue light, as well as all green light up to 550 nm. Bright red tint.

• Prescription lenses available. 

Frames: Handcrafted eco-biodegradable acetate frame with stainless steel core wire. Offered in matte or shiny surface finish. Includes packaging: designer box, premium case, lens cloth. Multiple color options.

Shipping/Warranty: Full returns and refunds available up to 30 days of receiving order. Unlimited number of exchanges for non-prescription glasses with free shipping. 2 year warranty.

4. Ra Optics: Ra Optics 

Cost: $164-297 - Use code "HPJ" for a discount

Lens Specs: 

• (shown left) Daylight lens block 95% of blue light and remove around 85% of the problematic High-Energy Visible Light (HEVL) radiation. 

• (shown right) Night lens block 100% of blue light and remove over 99% of the problematic HEVL radiation. 

• Both lens are coated with the highest quality scratch-resistant, oleophobic, and anti-reflective coatings. 

• Clear lens not available. 

• Prescription lenses available. 

Frames: High quality materials available: Italian Acetate, German stainless steel, and premium titanium. A few color options.

Shipping/Warranty: 30 days for a full refund. Free shipping on all US orders, as well as free shipping for any returns and exchanges.

5. Felix Gray: Felix Gray

Cost: Starting at $95 for non-prescription lenses; prescription lenses are also available.

Lens Specs: 

• Clear lens that filter blue light. Prescription and non-prescription.

• Grade A ophthalmic quality lenses

• Filter the highest energy wavelengths in the 380-440 nm range.

• Felix Gray filters over 50% of the entire range and almost 90% of the most impactful wavelengths (380 - 440nm). Additionally, digital devices emit Blue Light in the most abundance at 455nm. Competitors filter ~2% at this nanometer, Felix Gray filters ~30%.

• 100% UVA/UVB protection

• Double sided, anti-glare coating

• Proprietary Blue Light filtering solution

Frames: Hand-finished organic acetate. Multiple color options.

Shipping/Warranty: Free shipping on order over $99. Free exchanges. 30 day money back promise. 1 year warranty. 

6. Warby Parker: Warby Parker

Cost: Starting at $95 with options for prescription lenses.

Lens Specs: (no information provided on range of nm filtered out)

• $50 to add on blue-light filtering lens. Clear lens. 

• Can be prescription or non-prescription lenses. Polycarbonate material.

• The most impact-resistant lens material for glasses. 

• Anti-reflective and scratch-resistant lens coatings. Lenses block 100% of UV rays. UV-blocking lenses with scratch-resistant, anti-reflective coatings.

• 1.67 high index lens is $50 more.

Frames: Made from hand-polished cellulose acetate. Multiple color options.

Shipping/Warranty: Free return or exchange within 30 days of purchase. Free shipping. Guaranteed for prescription lenses within six months of purchase.

7. Peepers by PeeperSpecs: Peepers

Cost: Around $29, making them an affordable option.

Lens Specs: Peepers Blue Light Focus™ Lenses utilize proprietary baked-in technology that filters high-energy visible blue light

• Peepers blue light lenses filter more than 40% of high-energy visible (HEV) blue light in the 400-450 nm range.

• • 7 Layer Anti-Reflective Coating enhances contrast and visual acuity by reducing reflections (glare) on the surface of the lens

• • Unique Lens Clearness all the comfort, all the style, with barely-there tints

• • Dual Anti-Scratch Coating for long-lasting protection

• • UV400 Protection blocks 99.9% of UVA/UVB rays

• • Acrylic Aspheric Material Lens that’s ultra-thin and lightweight

Frames: Spring Hinges for a durable, comfortable fit. Crafted from a certified recycled polycarbonate material that's durable and heat-resistant. Multiple color options.

Shipping/Warranty: Offer a stress-free 90 day return policy.

8. Gunnar Optiks: Gunnar Optiks

Cost: Starting at $55, popular for gaming and extended screen time. No clear lens option.

Lens Specs: 

• G-Shield® lens coating: anti-reflective & smudge resistant

• Lens tints: AMBER blocks 65% of blue light at 450nm. 

• AMBER Max blocks 98% of blue light at 450nm. 

• SUN blocks 90% of blue light at 450nm. 

• Proprietary polyamide lens material provides crisp optics with ultra durability

• Blocks harmful blue light and 100% UV

Frames: Sustainably harvested ebony wood exterior with carbon fiber inner layer. Flexible spring hinges for customizable fit. Multiple color options.

Shipping/Warranty: 24 month warranty. Refunds available within 30 days of purchase. 

9. GlassesUSA: GlassesUSA

Cost: Starting at $74 for a wide selection of blue light blocking options.

Lens Specs: (no information provided on range of nm filtered out)

• Blue light lens is additional $39 to add on to any lens package.

• Choose your frame, then select your lens. Clear lens available. 

• Lens package: 1.5-1.67 lens index options ranging from $0-$129. 

• Standard lens +$39: 1.5 Index Basic Lenses, Scratch Resistant Coating, UV Protective Coating, Anti-Reflective Coating

• Polycarbonate lens +69: 1.59 Index high impact resistant safety lenses, Up to 22% thinner, Scratch Resistant Coating, UV Protective Coating, Anti-Reflective Coating.

• Premium lens +$129: -1.67 Index Super Thin Lenses, Up to 35% thinner, Scratch Resistant Coating, UV Protective Coating (UV400), Premium Anti-Reflective Coating, FREE Prescription Card, + 15% off your next purchase

Frames: High grade acetate, plastic material. No spring hinges. Multiple color options.

Shipping/Warranty: 1 year warranty. 14 days for exchange or return.