You know the feeling: it's the end of the day, your eyes are burning, your head is aching, and it's hard to focus. After hours behind your laptop, phone, or tablet, your eyes are simply worn out. More and more people spend the biggest part of their day looking at a screen, at home, at the office, or on the go, and that takes a real toll on your eyes. Screen glasses can offer a solution. In this article you'll find out exactly what screen glasses do, who they're suitable for, and what to look for when choosing a pair.
“After just 2 hours, blue light can already start to strain your eyes.” — Dr. Vermeer, eye surgeon
What are screen glasses?
Screen glasses, also known as computer glasses or blue light filter glasses, have a special filter that blocks blue light. With many brands, this filter is a coating applied on top of the lens. At Looplabb, the blue light filter is integrated directly into the lens itself, rather than applied as a surface coating. This means the protection doesn't wear off from scratches or cleaning products, and you won't see a blue or yellow sheen on the lenses, which is common with coated lenses.
This blue light is emitted by the screens of laptops, phones, tablets, and televisions. Prolonged exposure to it can tire your eyes and disrupt your sleep.
The lenses of screen glasses can be prescription, but they don't have to be. You can also wear screen glasses without any reading strength, purely for the blue light filter. That means there's a suitable pair for everyone, whether or not your eyesight has changed.
Screen glasses vs. computer reading glasses vs. regular glasses
What do screen glasses actually do?
Screen glasses filter the blue light coming from your screen. This means your eyes process fewer harsh stimuli during long screen sessions. This can reduce several common complaints:
- Tired or dry eyes after a day of work
- Headaches caused by screen use
- Trouble concentrating later in the day
- Difficulty falling asleep after evening screen use
Blue light suppresses the production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates your sleep and wake cycle. Anyone who spends a lot of time on a screen in the evening often notices this in a more restless night's sleep. Wearing screen glasses during the day and evening gives your eyes and your brain a bit more rest. Want to know more about how blue light affects your eyes? Read our article on why blue light filter glasses are essential for your eyes.
Beyond this direct relief, a good pair of blue light filter glasses can also contribute to better concentration, more energy, and an improved mood throughout the day. Prolonged exposure to blue light has also been linked to an increased risk of cataracts and retinal conditions, which makes protecting your eyes worthwhile in the long run too.
“I no longer end the day with a headache.” — Justin, graphic designer
Who are screen glasses for?
Screen glasses are suitable for anyone who spends a lot of time behind a screen. Think of:
- Office workers who use a laptop all day
- Students who study on a laptop or tablet for long periods
- Gamers who spend long sessions in front of a computer or console
- Anyone who scrolls through their phone a lot in the evening
You don't need to wear reading glasses to benefit from screen glasses. Even people with good eyesight often notice a difference in eye comfort, especially after a long workday or an evening of watching shows.
What's the difference with prescription computer glasses?
Computer reading glasses combine a reading strength with a blue light filter. This is useful if you already need reading glasses for close-up work, such as reading or typing at a short distance. Without a reading strength, regular glasses don't work optimally for screen work at a distance of 40 to 70 centimetres.
Not sure whether you need a strength? Choose a model without one. Try our strength test first to be sure. If you notice you're still struggling to focus on your screen, you can always switch to a model with reading strength.
Tips to reduce screen fatigue
Besides wearing screen glasses, there's a few other things you can do to give your eyes a break:
- The 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 6 metres away for 20 seconds.
- Sufficient lighting: make sure the room is well lit, so the contrast with your screen isn't too strong.
- Adjust brightness: match your screen brightness to your surroundings.
- Blink consciously: blink more often, since this happens naturally less during screen work.
What to look for when choosing screen glasses
- Blue light filter: choose glasses that filter at least 30 to 40 percent of blue light, that's the common minimum on the market. The higher the percentage, the more effective the protection. Our own blue light filter glasses, for example, block up to 98 percent of blue light, thanks to a filter that's built into the lens itself rather than applied as a surface coating.
- Strength: decide whether you need a reading strength or whether a model without one is enough.
- Frame shape: you'll often wear screen glasses all day, so choose a frame that's comfortable and suits your face shape. Not sure what suits you? Check our face shape guide.
- Anti-reflective coating: this reduces light reflections on your screen and improves clarity. At Looplabb this coating is applied on both sides of the lens for extra visual comfort.
- Lens durability: also look for scratch resistance, water repellence, and a smudge-resistant coating, so your glasses stay clear for longer. Looplabb blue light filter glasses also include a UV-protective coating on the back of the lens.
- Weight: a lightweight frame prevents pressure points during long periods of wear.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear screen glasses all day?
Yes. Screen glasses are designed for prolonged use and can be worn all day, without discomfort.
Do I need screen glasses if I don't wear reading glasses?
Yes, absolutely. The blue light filter works independently of your eyesight and helps relieve your eyes during screen use.
Do screen glasses also help with headaches?
For many people, yes. Because the eyes have to work less hard, the headaches caused by screen use often reduce as well.
Shop our blue light filter glasses
At Looplabb you'll find a wide range of blue light filter glasses, with and without prescription, in the popular Max, Lolita, and Papillon styles. Comfortable, stylish, and ready to order. Browse the collection and find the pair that suits you.
