Humans have been inventing solutions to vision problems since prehistoric times, when the Inuit used ivory-carved goggles to help with snow blindness. In 12th century China, lenses made from flat panes of smoky quartz were used to conceal judges’ facial expressions during trials. And 18th century Venetians used colored Murano glass to shield their eyes from the glare reflected off the waters of the canal. Fast forward a few hundred years, and we find ourselves in a visual landscape our bespectacled ancestors could never have predicted: bathed in the unrelenting glow of screens.
Today, the average American spends a hefty seven hours per day looking at a screen. Laptops, tablets, smartphones, gaming rigs – modern devices create modern problems, and require modern innovations to solve them. If you’ve been rubbing your temples after a long day at the office or sacrificing sleep for “just one more episode,” there’s a good chance that blue light from screens is partially to blame. Enter: blue light blocking glasses.
Blue light glasses are the latest in cutting-edge optical tech, shielding your eyes while helping you stay productive, stylish, and well-rested. Let’s dive into everything you need to know to pick your perfect pair, from why you should be thinking about blue light to begin with to how to find glasses that fit your needs (and your face).
What’s the Big Deal About Blue Light?
Bear with us as we get science-y for a moment. Blue light is a high-energy visible (HEV) light with a short wavelength. It’s part of the natural light spectrum, meaning we get it from the sun (all fine and good) as well as artificially from our screens (not so good).
The problem with artificial blue light is twofold:
1. It’s Everywhere: If you’re reading this, you’re more than likely already staring at a source of blue light. Screens emit higher levels of blue light than other types of artificial light, and let’s face it: they’re inescapable.
2. It’s Intense: Blue light penetrates deeper into your eyes than other kinds of light, putting your retinas on the defensive.
So, why does this matter? Excessive artificial blue light exposure can cause a host of issues, from eye strain to disrupted sleep.
1. Eye Strain: Staring at screens all day can leave your eyes feeling tired, dry, and bleary.
2. Headaches: If your scrolling sessions are leaving you with a pounding head, blue light might be the culprit.
3. Sleep Disruption: While natural blue light helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle, artificial blue light from your laptop, phone, and TV can disrupt that same rhythm. Blue light exposure can suppress melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.
4. Potential Long-Term Eye Health Risks: Some studies suggest that extended exposure may contribute to retinal damage over time.
Pro Tip: Even if you don’t spend hours in front of a screen, blue light glasses can be beneficial for anyone exposed to LED lighting throughout the day. Office fluorescents, meet your match.
Blue Light Glasses: Modern Lenses for Modern Problems
Blue light blocking lenses are designed to help be your personal shield against blue light. Made with an anti-reflective coating that blocks artificial blue light, they’re practical, life-enhancing tools that make the digital world a little easier on the eyes. And it doesn’t hurt that they can also be exceedingly good-looking.
Here’s why they’re worth the hype.
1. No More Tired, Achy Eyes
Eye strain is real, and it doesn’t care whether you’re creating Excel masterpieces or binge watching your favorite show. Blue light glasses can help reduce glare from screens and filter out HEV light, helping your eyes relax during marathon screen sessions.
2. Better Sleep = Better You
We’ve all been there: doom-scrolling late into the night, only to stare at the ceiling wondering why sleep won’t come. Blue light glasses may help block the melatonin-disrupting rays so you can catch those Z’s without giving up your bedtime TikTok ritual.
3. Focus Like a Boss
Whether you’re grinding through the work day or zoning in on Minecraft (or whatever the cool kids are playing these days), less blue light means fewer distractions for your eyes. Plus, eyebobs blue light lenses are also scratch-resistant, easy to clean, and anti-reflective, so it’s mind-bogglingly easy to forget you’re even wearing them. More focus, less fatigue.
4. Style Points
We won’t pretend style doesn’t matter. The right pair of blue light glasses can take your look from “I just rolled out of bed” to “I totally have my life together” in seconds. You can get almost any pair of eyebobs with blue light lenses, and with hundreds of fabulous options to choose from, you’re guaranteed to find a pair that’s just so you.
How to Choose Blue Light Glasses That Work for You
Finding the perfect pair of blue light glasses can feel overwhelming (there are a lot of options out there). Here’s how to narrow it down.
1. Lens Strength
Your blue light lenses can act on their own or work alongside other corrective features, depending on your individual vision needs.
Non-Prescription: Perfect for people who just want blue light protection, and don’t require any other corrective measures for their eyes.
Reading Glasses: For far-sighted folks, a blue light coating can be added to lenses with your normal reader strength. Anyone who needs magnification while combating HEV light should opt for blue light reading glasses. If you’re new to readers or just want to make sure your reader strength is up-to-date, head towards our handy-dandy Reader Strength Test.
Prescription: Our near-sighted friends can also add blue light protection to their everyday lenses. Congratulations: you can now rest easy in the knowledge that your eyes are safe from blue light the next time you decide to re-watch Grey’s Anatomy. McDreamy would approve.
2. Frame Comfort and Fit
We want to make sure your glasses are as comfortable on your face as they are easy on your eyes. At eyebobs, we combine the highest quality materials like Italian-designed acetate and premium stainless steel with clever craftsmanship to ensure your eyewear experience is the best it can be. Better, even. If you’re particularly concerned about comfort, here are some things to keep in mind.
Lightweight Materials: All our frames are created with an eye towards comfort, but if you’re looking for the truest barely-there feel, we suggest opting for thin metal frames like our Teddy readers.
Flexible Hinges: In case you didn’t know, our frames come equipped with flexible spring-hinges that allow them to bend further than the average pair. They’re not invincible, but they’re as close as you can get.
Customizable Fit: Adjustable nose pads and temple arms mean your glasses will feel like they were made just for you. Because, well, they kind of were.
Size: We offer frames in sizes narrow, average, and wide to ensure you can find frames that fit, no matter the breadth of your noggin. Check out our Fit Guide to find the pair that’s juuuust right.
3. Style
Here’s where the fun really begins: selecting frames that flatter your face shape and speak to your personal style.
Round Face: Opt for wide, square, or rectangular frames to add some angles to your soft features.
Oval Face: Lucky you! Almost any shape will look stunning on you, but square frames can offer a stylish contrast.
Heart-Shaped Face: Oval, round, or cat-eye frames balance out a wider forehead.
Square Face: Round or oval frames will soften sharp angles.
Triangle Face: Find a natural face-lift with cat-eye or round frames.
Feel free to use these guidelines as a starting point (or, throw caution to the wind and ignore them entirely). It’s all about what you like, and when it comes to frame styles, our world’s your oyster.
The Timeless Sophisticate: If the first word you use to define your style is “classy,” we’ve got frames for you. Best-sellers like Boardroom, Old Sport, and Total Wit in savvy shades like black and tortoise are the perfect toppers for any tasteful pantsuit.
The Modern Minimalist: Frames like Case Closed, Number Cruncher, and What Inheritance? in neutral hues are ideal for those who prefer to adopt a clean, sleek aesthetic.
The Retro Revival: Still stuck in the 70s, or craving a hit of Old Hollywood glamour? Rounds and cat-eyes like Wisecracker and Biddy Dear give a nod to bygone eras while keeping your style firmly rooted in the present.
The Fearless Trendsetter: If your intent is mainly to make people say, “I’ve never seen frames like that!” then you’ve come to the right place. Funky geometric frames like Chutzpah’d and Elgnairt or boldly oversized pairs like Signal Fire will be right up your alley.
Staring down a case of choice paralysis? Start with our Style Quiz.
Let’s Talk Dollar Signs
So, you’re wondering precisely how much your new pair of blue light blocking glasses will run you. It’s hard to put a price on unparalleled protection, but we’ll do it anyways. Here’s what you need to know.
First, if you have vision insurance, it will likely cover a good chunk of the cost. While it depends on your provider (check with them directly to be sure of your coverage), many plans extend to non-prescription features like blue light blocking lenses.
Without insurance, designer glasses’ price tags can run up to and above $1000 for prescription pairs. Luckily, we’ve made things easier on your wallet. Our readers and non-prescription glasses start at $98 and our prescription glasses start at $248, so that’s about what you can expect to pay out of pocket if you’re not covered by vision insurance.
Here’s the best part: no matter the base price of your frames and lenses, adding on a blue light coating is just $40 extra.
In today’s screen-saturated world, blue light glasses can make all the difference. Whether you’re hustling at work, relaxing with an e-book, or dominating in your favorite game, the right pair can help you see better, work smarter, and rest easier.
Ready to put blue light in its place and look good doing it? Shop our blue light glasses collection and give your eyes the break they deserve.
