What are computer glasses, exactly?

At this point, we've all seen the promotions for "computer glasses" which boast numerous benefits for your eye health. They claim protection from digital screens, reduced eye strain, and promise a better sleep schedule. These lenses seem like they might be too good to be true.

So, what's really going on? Let's take a look and see if computer glasses are all they really claim to be.

A brief history of blue light

Simply put, blue light is just a specific range of wavelengths that light may appear as. It's a common wavelength of light found in digital screens, LED lights, and other various sources. Blue light is not a new thing that we are suddenly discovering, but the frequency we encounter blue light has certainly increased in the digital age.  

Reports of dry eyes, eye fatigue and disrupted sleep schedules have become common in the digital age as well so researchers sought to find a cause to these common symptoms. Some research indicated that blue light may be to blame.

The rise of blue light lenses

Their findings were fascinating to the eyecare world as it had significant ramifications with how common smartphones, tablets, and general digital device usage was. There seemed to be an epidemic of eye strain which the eyecare world wanted to find a solution for.  

And so we come to computer glasses which work by blocking certain wavelengths of blue light. This is how computer glasses can claim they have numerous vision benefits.  

Blue light glasses are still questionable in their effectiveness. Some studies indicate they are effective at reducing eye strain. Other new studies show that the blue light from digital devices is minimal and unlikely to cause eye damage.

Verdict: do you need blue light glasses?

With that knowledge under our belts, we can confidently say that computer glasses are not necessary for most people. They may have certain benefits, like helping adjust your sleep schedule if you're on digital screens later than the average person, but even then, there are other less costly solutions.