Many people these days follow a routine where their time is spent in front of a screen. This could be at work, as entertainment, or for catching up with friends and family. The longer we use screens, the more attention gets paid to certain factors, such as the effects of blue light on eyesight. In recent years, we have seen many people flock to blue light-filtering lenses. But what about blue light contact lenses? Are they worth looking into?

This post looks at blue light-filtering contact lenses; what they do, how they work, and whether or not they are right for you.

What Is Blue Light?

Blue light is the type of visible light with the shortest wavelengths and the highest energy. It is a natural part of the daylight that streams through our windows, but it is also produced by screens, fluorescent lights and other light sources. While some blue light helps us stay awake and feel happier, too much of it can be uncomfortable, especially to our eyes.

Mere screen exposure can lead to headaches, eye strain – and even sleep problems Up to three-quarters of the light emitted from computer screens is in the bluish part of the spectrum. That’s why it’s now possible to buy lenses that block or filter out blue light, reducing the wear and tear on our eyes.

What Are Blue Light-Filtering Contact Lenses?

These lenses filter out blue light before it reaches the eye. Glasses that accomplish the same task have been around for years but, as the name suggests, contact lenses are more recent. These lenses are made from a material that filters out blue light, reducing the damage while still giving contact lens users the comfort they crave.

Instead of having a coating on the outer surface that filters the light, as with glasses, these lenses have the technology built into the actual material of the lens. That’s why there’s nowhere for a coating to rub off, and nothing for it to scratch. Lenses such as Biofinity Energys™ not only filter blue light, but also help to keep the eyes hydrated, which can help alleviate the dryness that many complain of after staring at a screen for too long.

Do Blue Light-Filtering Contacts Really Work?

This leads to an obvious question: do they work? It’s been shown, for instance, that filtering blue light can help to reduce eye strain: some studies have indicated that this can help to reduce headaches and other discomfort associated with long-duration use of screens. Blue light-filtering contact lenses reduce the intensity of the wavelength rather than altering how colors appear to the wearer.

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.

Who Should Consider Blue Light-Filtering Contact Lenses?

These lenses are a good choice for anyone who uses devices with screens for the majority of their working day – office workers, students, people who use their smartphones or tablets – and they can help to protect your eyes from digital eye strain associated with screen use.

If you’re a contact lens user and you’re one of those people who use a screen and then complain of discomfort or dryness, it might be time to switch to a tinted blue light-filtered version. Some opticians offer lenses that feature eye-moistening properties as well, such as CooperVision’s Biofinity Energys™.

These lenses might also be helpful to those who worry about their sleep: blue light can interfere with sleep, so it’s possible that wearing blue-light-filtering lenses during the day can solve this problem. It’s still important to maintain healthy habits, though, and avoid screens in the evening to help your body with its natural sleep cycles.

Comparing Blue Light-Filtering Contacts And Glasses

So which is better at filtering blue light? It’s a battle again between contact lenses vs. glasses. While both can prevent the eyes from getting blue light, however, there are some differences:

Comfort

For people who wear contacts daily, blue light-filtering lenses are a comfortable solution. For those not used to wearing glasses, lenses will feel obviously more comfortable.

Convenience

Contact lenses offer convenience and freedom to remain active, or just to avoid the feel of eyeglasses. Blue-light blocking lenses allow people to continue wearing contacts.

Price

Blue light protection glasses are generally much cheaper than blue light protection contacts although within the subscription weekly contacts market, the cost is justified for daily wearers or those whose eyes or contact lenses require the increased water content some brands offer.

Durability

Because the filtering is part of the lens material, there is no danger of the filtering wearing off the coatings – only some of which claim to filter out blue light – can scratch and wear away

Are Blue Light-Filtering Contacts Worth The Investment?

With all this in mind, we can now consider whether these lenses are worth the price. Blue-light-filtering contact lenses typically cost more than standard lenses so you'll want to compare the pros and cons.

Lenses could be a good choice for regular screen users who are willing to fork out on contacts. Both comfort and environmental protection could make the lenses worthwhile to people who struggle with daytime discomfort, while the moisture-retention features of some brands would be ideal for anyone suffering from dry eyes.

Still, these lenses are not the only way to cut down on blue light strain. For anyone on a budget, blue light-filtering glasses are an economical alternative, and a good choice if you don't wear contacts often. Other options include reducing your screen time or adjusting the settings on your devices to reduce the amount of blue light.

All in all, whether blue light-filtering contacts are worth it to you will largely depend on whether or not you spend a lot of time staring at screens and, if you already wear contacts, whether or not you start to feel a bit of eye strain or headaches from all that staring.

Weighing the Benefits

Blue light-filtering contact lenses are an innovative way to address the issues of eye discomfort and dryness from staring at screens. These lenses can be a great option for a lot of contact lens wearers, but they're much more expensive than regular lenses or glasses with similar technology, so you'll have to decide whether or not the benefits outweigh the cost.

For some, the aid and protection these lenses provide are well worth the expense. For others, lenses or reducing screen exposure might be easier solutions. What works for one person may not be right for the next. Speaking to an eye care professional can also help you make the right lens choice.