Did You Know Blue Light-Blocking Contact Lenses Exist? What It Means for Your Eyes and Screen Time
Most of us spend hours staring at phones, laptops and tablets every day, and our eyes feel it. If you wear contacts and have wondered whether you can skip the blue light glasses, there are now contact lens options designed to filter blue light at the source.
Here is how the technology works, which brands offer it and how it stacks up against blue light glasses.
How Blue Light Blocking Contact Lenses Work
Blue light filtering contacts use specialized materials built into the lens itself, not a coating added on top.
“Blue light filtering contact lenses are designed with specialized materials or additives that absorb or block a percentage of high-energy visible (HEV) light in the 380 to 460 nanometer wavelength range. Unlike standard contact lenses, these incorporate light-responsive or light-absorbing compounds into the lens material itself. The amount of blue light filtered varies by brand and lens type, typically ranging from about 15 percent indoors to over 50 percent in bright outdoor conditions for adaptive lenses,” according to Greenwich Ophthalmology Associates.
The science around how much this actually helps is still developing. Greenwich Ophthalmology Associates notes that the American Academy of Ophthalmology has said blue light from digital screens has not been shown to cause retinal damage or eye disease. Most research points to reduced blink rates and sustained near focusing as the bigger drivers of digital eye strain.
Which Brands Offer Blue Light Filtering Contacts
Acuvue Oasys is one of the most widely sold options for screen users. According to the Warby Parker product page, Acuvue Oasys Max 1-Day lenses use TearStable technology for moisture and OptiBlue for up to 60% blue light filtration, both designed to reduce wear from extended screen time. The lenses also have “built-in UV protection from 82% of UVA rays and 97% of UVB rays.”
Biofinity Energys is another option that pairs blue light filtering with added moisture, aimed at the dryness many wearers report after long screen sessions.
According to Web Eye Care, “Users report that they can wear these lenses longer than traditional contacts without eye fatigue. Their eyes feel less tired and dry after workforce screen hours. Again, the degree of improvement will vary between individuals. These lenses won’t correct all the problems associated with digital vision, but they will alleviate some screen-related eye strain.”
Blue Light Contacts Versus Blue Light Glasses
If you already wear contacts, the choice often comes down to convenience.
“Blue-violet light contacts are very convenient, since they not only protect your eyes from blue-violet light and correct your vision, but they are also nearly imperceptible when you wear them, unlike glasses. But if you’ve already stocked up on contact lenses for a while, and you don’t need to buy new ones, you can still protect your eyes from blue-violet light by wearing non-prescription blue light glasses with your contact lenses,” Contacts Direct explains.
Why Not All Blue Light Is Bad
Blue light is not strictly an enemy. It helps regulate sleep, mood and alertness, and outdoor sunlight is the biggest source of it.
“Research has shown that high-energy visible light, such as blue light, boosts alertness, helps memory, improves cognitive function, and elevates mood,” according to the Raleigh Eye Center. Blue light is also “very important in regulating the circadian rhythm, the body’s natural wakefulness and sleep cycle,” the center says.
The issue with screens is proximity and duration. Phones and laptops emit only a fraction of the blue light the sun does, but they sit inches from your face for hours at a time.
A 2018 study published in the International Journal of Ophthalmology found that while some blue light supports refractive development and circadian rhythm, harmful effects on the cornea, lens and retina should not be ignored, especially at night.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
