Do You Actually Need Blue Light Glasses?

More people than ever are turning to blue light blocking glasses to help with eye strain, headache, and insomnia. But do they actually work? Dorie Chevlen talks advice and first impressions with Kaitlyn Wells, Wirecutter's blue light expert.

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Wirecutter reviews the best gear, gadgets and more, with recommendations made through vigorous reporting, interviewing, and real-world testing by teams of experts.

Thumbnail photo: Sarah Kobos

[doriechevlen]

Hi, I’m Dorie, the host of this video: I love learning about the best (and worst) products, so if there’s something you’d like to learn more about, leave a comment! Also, even if you think that I BLUE it in this video (ha ha ha) please keep the comments nice as I am devastatingly sensitive and I will take them all to heart <3

[brotendo]

They don't work. Saved you 5 minutes.

[theARoberts]

I spend a majority of my workday and and much of my evenings looking at screens. My (admittedly) anecdotal experience is that a good set of blue light blocking glasses absolutely does help reduce eye strain. All I need to do is wear them for 20 minutes and then take them off to notice a significant difference. My optometrist recommended I use them after I began having significant eye fatigue and they definitely helped. If I use them regularly my eyes do great, but if I stop using them the eye fatigue will eventually return and my vision will suffer as a result. Take that for what you will, but I stand by a good pair of these.

[christiancarrizo]

On my personal experience I’ve been wearing glasses all my life. Blue light filters are actually pretty handy when you spent a lot of time in front of a screen. Also setting night shift or something on your OS to make it warmer had helped me preventing red eyes and insomnia. Cheers!

[scottycatman]

This video was:
"They don't work!" says everyone qualified
"They work" says one anecdote
*Lets explore all types of products despite you just telling us that they're not a good investment!*

[dragonakyun]

Any tips for someone who does experience eye strain from a 9-5 in front of a computer? And great video! Super insightful, yet playful. Thanks!

[arcanekand]

The amount of blue light which comes from digital devices is negligible the main cause of eye strain/tired eyes is because if you look at a PC/phone/TV for long periods of time you tend to blink less which causes the eye to dry out. so what most professionals recommend is for every 20 minutes looking at a digital screen take a 20 second break and look at something in the distance for 20 seconds which should reduce the amount of eye strain I personally wouldn't pay extra for a blue light coating on my glasses ( i DO wear transitions which includes blue light blocking as standard HOWEVER I bought them for the anti glare properties not for the blue light blocking feature)

[j_mae]

I get migraines and piercing eye pain after a couple hours on the computer if I don’t wear them. They do work for me.

[ivvigzc]

Could you please name the soundtrack used here?

[BMarie]

TIJN sucks. They don’t work an come so scratched. The best I’ve used is Benicci. They come with a hard case, pouch, cleaning cloth, and a blue light tester so you know they actually work. Edit* TIJN actually has so much glare it made my eye strain WORSE! Edit* Benicci not Beniccio, sorry

[anarcxh]

Well see blue light literally destroys your vision, so over time they will more like than not be worth the ''60 dollar upgrade'' also they are great if you spend a lot of time in front a computer or any sort of screen really.