Scrolling at night can mess with your sleep, but these blue-light glasses can help

Our featured picks

Editor Favorite

Zenni Translucent Square Glasses

Diff Sawyer Blue-Light Glasses

Editor Favorite

Eyebuydirect Amber Glasses

Swanwick Classic Night Swannies

Though the merits of blue-light-blocking glasses are still being debated, wearing a pair may be beneficial for your eye health if you spend a lot of time in front of a computer monitor or other electronic device, as many of us do. According to Dr. James Dello Russo, an optometrist at Dello Russo Laser Vision, “blue light is a high-energy visible light with wavelengths between 380-500 nanometers that’s emitted by digital screens, LED lights and the sun.”

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While some blue light exposure is beneficial, Dello Russo said it can negatively impact sleep quality by disrupting the release of melatonin, a hormone that regulates our circadian rhythym. Studies show that when people wear blue-light-blocking glasses, they’re more likely to fall asleep faster and experience improved sleep.

According to Dr. Danielle Richardson, the founding optometrist at Clarity, some wearers have also reported that blue-light glasses improve their comfort and visual clarity when they’re looking at their devices by “reducing glare and potentially increasing contrast on screens.”

There are other steps you can take to protect your eye health when using electronic devices. To minimize screen-related discomfort, Richardson recommends reducing the brightness on your screens, keeping your devices at an arm’s length distance and taking breaks often. “Implementing small changes like these in addition to the use of blue-light glasses can make a big difference,” she said.

To help you on your eye health journey, I consulted optometrists for their recommendations for the best blue-light glasses. I also tapped our team of editors for their favorite picks and sourced options from various retailers that meet our experts’ criteria on what to look for.

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Best blue-light glasses

Editor Favorite

Zenni Translucent Square Glasses

“I’ve been wearing Zenni glasses for over 10 years and have added their Blokz blue-light feature to all of my glasses for the past five years,” CNN Underscored editorial coordinator Stephanie Luna said. Her most recent style is this translucent square-shaped pair. She loves that they don’t slide down her face and are lightweight and comfortable to wear. She also said the blue-light-blocking lenses help her eyes feel less tired.

From $33 at Zenni Optical

Felix Gray Carver Glasses

These blue-light glasses from Felix Gray were designed with low nose bridges in mind. They have clear lenses, so color won’t be distorted, and antireflective coatings to minimize reflections from screens. They also boast UVA and UVB protection, which makes them a great choice for outdoor use too.

From $129 at Felix Gray

Editor Favorite

Eyebuydirect Amber Glasses

CNN Underscored health and fitness editor Summer Cartwright loves that she was able to add her prescription to these stylish blue-light glasses. “They feel super comfortable around my ears and nose, even after hours of wear and have a fashionable cat-eye look to them,” she said. Before you add these frames to your cart, you can select one of four blue-light-filtering options for your lenses.

From $49 at Eyebuydirect

Diff Sawyer Blue-Light Glasses

Diff has some of the chicest eyewear around, and these blue-light-filtering glasses, which come in six different colors and patterns, are no exception. The lenses are made from a scratch-resistant polymer, so you don’t have to worry about accidents. They’re also available as prescription glasses with the option to add blue-light-filtering lenses.

$108 From $49 at Diff

Editor Favorite

YMRFW Oval Blue-Light-Blocking Glasses

CNN Underscored associate programming editor Kevin Martinez purchased a pair of these blue-light-blocking glasses during this year’s Prime Day sale and considers them “a standout purchase” so far. “Not only do they seem to reduce eye strain and minimize the headaches I sometimes get after spending hours in front of a screen, but the cat-eye silhouette is also incredibly chic,” Martinez said. “I’ve received so many compliments while wearing them in meetings, scrolling on my phone at night and even when I’m out and about.” These lightweight glasses have clear antireflective lenses that are scratch-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about damage.

$13 $10 at Amazon

Editor Favorite

Eyebuydirect St. Michel Glasses

“To ease the pain of screen-induced headaches, I treated myself to a shopping spree at Eyebuydirect for blue-light-filtering glasses,” CNN Underscored former contributing editor Marissa Miller said. She’s had these frames for the last seven years and has noticed they’ve allowed her to go longer stints without having to squint or look into the distance to rest her eyes. “Their adjustable nose pads lock them firmly in place, so I often forget I’m wearing them,” she said.

From $49 at Eyebuydirect

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Warby Parker Keiko Glasses

If you’re looking for a stylish pair of eyeglasses, Warby Parker’s Keiko Glasses fit the bill. In addition to being able to select from several prescription types, including readers, you can also customize your glasses with blue-light-filtering lenses that are scratch-resistant, UV blocking and anti-glare for an additional $50.

From $145 at Warby Parker

Peepers Dante Glasses

These blue-light glasses from Oprah-loved eyewear brand Peepers are perfect for men looking for a pair of comfortable readers. The fashion-forward frames are made from a durable polycarbonate material that’s also heat-resistant. In addition to having an antireflective coating, the lenses have an antiscratch coating and a barely there tint. They also offer UV400 protection, meaning they block 99.9% of UVA and UVB rays.

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From $25 at Peepers

Ray-Ban Round Metal Optics

LensCrafters has plenty of frames to choose from, but these circular ones from Ray–Ban caught our attention. For an extra cost, you’re able to personalize your frames with scratch-resistant, blue-violet-light-filtering lenses. LensCrafters also has a virtual try-on feature that allows you to see how the frames will fit your face.

$210 at Ray-Ban

$210 at LensCrafters

Blenders Smart Rebel Glasses

I love the look of these simple yet playful pink eyeglasses from Blenders’ L-series. Their clear blue-light-filtering lenses make them ideal for computer use during the day. Plus, they come with a microfiber pouch for protection.

From $49 at Blenders

Swanwick Classic Night Swannies

Though Swanwick’s orange-tinted Classic Night Swannies are designed for evening use, you can use these glasses during the day as well. According to the brand, the lenses can block 99% to 100% of sleep-disturbing blue light, and they have an antireflective coating to improve clarity. Not to mention, the lightweight, BPA-free frames are comfortable to wear for extended periods.

$130 at Amazon

$130 at Swanwick

How to select the best blue-light glasses

Consider how tinted the lenses are

All three experts agree that the lens tint level is one factor to consider when shopping for blue-light glasses. If you plan to use your glasses during the day, Dello Russo recommends looking for a pair with minimal to no color distortion. He suggests selecting high-quality lenses that will provide you with clear vision and won’t make your surroundings look yellow or orange. Similarly, Richardson recommends opting for a blue-light antireflective coating like TechShield Blue, which has a near-clear appearance. If you’re looking for blue-light glasses for nighttime use, Dello Russo said to expect some color distortion, as the tint tends to be heavier.

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Prioritize lens quality

Lens quality is another factor you’ll want to consider, according to Richardson. “Low-quality blue-light glasses or lens coatings might distort your vision or scratch easily, causing additional strain for your eyes,” she said. According to Dello Russo, lenses should have a durable coating to prevent scratches, especially if you plan to wear your blue-light glasses frequently. To ensure you’re purchasing quality lenses that won’t cause you unnecessary grief down the road, Richardson recommends shopping at reputable retailers like Eyeconic. “Your local eye doctor’s office will also have blue-light options for you and can help you find the best quality and fit,” she added. Dello Russo also echoes the importance of shopping from reputable brands and cautions against selecting glasses that are extremely cheap and easy to break.

Look for lenses with extra features

In addition to considering how comfortable the frames are and whether you need prescription lenses, Dello Russo said you should also consider UV protection capabilities, as some blue-light lenses offer UV protection as well. He suggests looking for blue-light lenses that have an antireflective (AR) coating. “An AR coating reduces glare and reflections from your screen and overhead lights, which significantly contributes to eye strain, regardless of blue light exposure,” he said. “Many good blue-light lenses will include this.”

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For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights:

Why trust CNN Underscored

CNN Underscored editors and writers ensure every product included in an article is thoroughly vetted and something we ourselves would feel comfortable buying and using. Our team has many decades of collective experience researching, testing and recommending products across every category — from fashion and food, to home goods and health, to electronics and everything in between — and we’re committed to using that expertise to help you make the most of your money and live a better life.

For this article, CNN Underscored associate lifestyle editor Rachel Dennis interviewed three optometrists who shared their tips on what to look for in the best blue-light glasses.