Can I Wear Blue Light Glasses All the Time?

What’s something almost all of us have in common?
 
Screens! Phones, laptops, computers, tablets, all day long. And what these devices all have in common is blue light, those sneaky little wavelengths that threaten to keep us up at night and potentially damage our eyes.
 
Thankfully, blue light glasses are readily available (yep, here at Mouqy!) and can help to protect our peepers. But the burning question today is, can I wear blue light glasses all the time? Or are they just a sometimes thing?
 
Let’s find out.
 

How do blue light glasses protect your eyes?

Blue light has the shortest wavelength of all the colors on the visible light spectrum and lurks in all digital devices. However, blue light itself isn’t some evil, man-made villain, it’s actually a natural part of sunlight that helps to regulate our circadian rhythm when we’re exposed to it via natural sources. This is why our sleep gets all messed up from our devices as they signal to our brains that it’s daylight and time to be up and about.
 
Blue light lenses basically work by stopping blue light from penetrating through to the eyes. Some types utilize a blue-light blocking coating on top of the lens, whilst other types (like we use here at Mouqy) use a lens material that absorbs blue light. The latter tends to be a lot more powerful.
 
In short, they can help reduce strain and minimize any effect on our sleep-wake cycles.
 

Can you wear blue light glasses all the time?

Great question! The very short answer is yes, you can wear your blue light glasses all the time.
 
There’s no need to worry that wearing your blue light glasses all day long and into the night will cause any damage to your eyes. In fact, if you’re working at a computer or checking your phone all day, it’s a great idea to keep those blue light specs on.
 
Let’s be real here, it’s very unrealistic to suggest that anyone actually stop digital activity for any substantial stretch of time, even if we wanted to.
 
We rely on our smart phones for communication, checking work emails, catching up on the news. Then we get to work and most likely stare at a computer for at least some of the day while we sit in a fluorescent-lit office. Then, we head home and do some more scrolling to unwind before popping on a show on our smart TV.
 
It’s little wonder why more and more people are opting for blue light blocking tech to be included in their everyday prescription glasses.
 

The most important times to wear blue light glasses

 
Obviously, the most important time to don your blue light glasses is whenever you are looking at a digital device. This includes:
 

• Working on a laptop or PC
• Scrolling on your smart phone
• Catching up on the latest season of your favorite show on your laptop or smart TV
• Those glaring fluorescent lights in your office
• Studying at a computer or laptop
• Using a tablet for work or leisure
• Reading an eBook

 
Blue light blockers are especially important at night to help stop those rays from messing with your circadian rhythm and setting you up for a night of tossing and turning. To get the best out of your blue-light glasses and give yourself a chance at a peaceful sleep, pop them on at least 90 minutes before bed. This will stop your body from releasing melanopsin (a melatonin-suppressing hormone triggered by blue light) and will allow it to release melatonin, the sleep hormone.
 

Can you wear blue light glasses outside?

The short answer is yes, you can. However, blue light glasses aren’t necessary when outside. The natural blue light you are exposed to from the sun isn’t going to harm you, so blue light glasses aren’t required outside. In saying that, there’s absolutely no harm in wearing them outdoors.
 

 
When it comes to eyes and sunlight, however, UV sunglasses are what you need most, especially for long periods of sun exposure. Just like your skin, your eyes are in need of UV protection to reduce the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, and certain cancers. Kill two birds with one stone! Protect your eyes and re-vamp your aesthetic with a new pair of UV sunglasses.
 

Tips to get the most out of your blue light glasses

While blue light glasses are a great way to combat blue light, there are other things you can do to reduce the effects.
 

• Okay, this one is tough, but try to limit that screen time! We could all do with less time with our faces staring into a screen for our mental health let alone our eye health. If your work requires a screen, try to schedule regular breaks and take a walk around the office, read a book (one with real pages) or just sit and have a cup of coffee for five minutes.

 

• Making sure your workspace is well lit will also help to reduce eye strain. This is because your eyes actually work a lot harder if your screen is brighter than the light around you. By making sure the space is well lit to match the brightness of your screen, your eyes can chill a little easier.

 

• If you work from home, give your workplace a little work-safety assessment. Check your seating, the position of your computer monitor, and your lighting for a healthy work environment for your eyes, muscles, and overall health!

So – do you need blue light glasses?

If you’re reading this on a screen (which you are), then that’s a good indicator that you can benefit from blue light glasses!
 
They’re particularly handy if you:
 

• Use a computer, laptop, phone, or tablet regularly throughout the day

 

• Have trouble getting to sleep at night.

 

• Are experiencing eye strain, headaches, or other vision issues. This might be a sign of Computer Vision Syndrome. CVS isn’t due solely to blue light, but because of the overall extra work your eyes have to do when viewing a digital device. It can also be partly due to the way you are seated and the angle you are viewing your screen.

 

• If you tend to use screens at night or before bedtime (I mean, most of us are guilty of this!)

Picking the right pair for your lifestyle

The great news is that it’s really easy to get blue light glasses for both prescription and non-prescription glasses.
 
Here at Mouqy, we offer blue light blocking technology on many of our lens options including high-index and impact-resistant lenses.
 
Check out our amazing glasses frames and let your style senses guide you. If you want to try out the pairs you love, you can! Our super cool virtual try-on tool lets you see what each pair looks like on your beautiful face so you can be sure you’re making the right choice.