If your eyes feel fried after a day of screen time, you’ve probably wondered whether blue light filtering technology could help. The good news for contact wearers you don’t have to switch to glasses to get it. A growing number of contact lens brands now build blue light filtering directly into the lens material, offering an option for people who spend hours staring at phones, laptops and TVs.
But before you order a box, it’s worth understanding what these lenses actually do, what the science says and how they compare to other options on the market.
How Blue Light Filtering Contact Lenses Work
Blue light filtering contacts use specialized materials built into the lens itself rather than a coating applied to the surface.
“Blue light filtering contact lenses are designed with specialized materials or additives that absorb or block a percentage of high-energy visible (HEV) light in the 380 to 460 nanometer wavelength range. Unlike standard contact lenses, these incorporate light-responsive or light-absorbing compounds into the lens material itself. The amount of blue light filtered varies by brand and lens type, typically ranging from about 15 percent indoors to over 50 percent in bright outdoor conditions for adaptive lenses,” according to Greenwich Ophthalmology Associates.
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What the Research Actually Says About Blue Light and Your Eyes
Here’s where it gets complicated. While blue light filtering contacts are widely marketed as a fix for digital eye strain, the clinical evidence is still catching up to the marketing. The American Academy of Ophthalmology has weighed in on the question, and the answer may surprise people who’ve been told screens are damaging their retinas.
As Greenwich Ophthalmology Associates notes, “It is important to understand that the clinical evidence behind blue light filtering in contact lenses is still developing. The American Academy of Ophthalmology has noted that blue light from digital screens has not been shown to cause retinal damage or eye disease. Most research suggests that digital eye strain is driven more by reduced blink rates and sustained near focusing than by blue light exposure itself. While blue light filtering contacts are not harmful, patients should have realistic expectations about what these lenses can and cannot do.”
A 2018 study published in the International Journal of Ophthalmology took a more nuanced view, finding that “a certain extent blue light can promote human eye refractive development and regulate circadian rhythm, but harmful blue light-induced effects on human eyes should not be ignored, blue light can also produce different degree of damage to corneal, crystal lens and retina. Therefore, it is necessary to take appropriate protective measures when using blue light-related products, especially at night.”
Which Brands Offer Blue Light Filtering Contacts
Several major contact lens brands have rolled out blue light filtering options, often combining the technology with other features like moisture retention and UV protection. Two of the most widely available choices come from Acuvue and CooperVision’s Biofinity line.
Acuvue Oasys Max 1-Day is one of the most prominent options on the market. “ACUVUE® OASYS MAX 1-Day contact lenses use groundbreaking technologies like TearStable™ for unprecedented moisture and OptiBlue™ for up to 60 percent blue-light filtration both reducing wear from extended screen time. They also have built-in UV protection from 82 percent of UVA rays and 97 percent of UVB rays,” the Warby Parker website says. “This is an ideal lens for someone who wants to try daily disposable lenses for the first time.”
Biofinity Energys is another option that pairs blue light filtering with hydration technology, aiming to address the dryness many people complain about after long screen sessions.
User feedback on these lenses has been generally positive, though results vary. According to Web Eye Care, “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.”
Blue Light Contacts vs. Blue Light Glasses
If you’re weighing whether to go with filtering contacts or stick with blue light glasses, the choice often comes down to convenience and what you already own. Contacts offer the obvious advantage of being nearly invisible, but glasses remain a flexible backup, especially if you wear contacts only occasionally.
“Blue-violet light contacts are very convenient, since they not only protect your eyes from blue-violet light and correct your vision, but they are also nearly imperceptible when you wear them, unlike glasses. But if you’ve already stocked up on contact lenses for a while, and you don’t need to buy new ones, you can still protect your eyes from blue-violet light by wearing non-prescription blue light glasses with your contact lenses,” Contacts Direct explains. “To keep your eyes healthy, make sure that you are regularly switching to a fresh pair of lenses, according to the recommendations of your doctor and the intended use of the contact lenses.”
Why Not All Blue Light Is Bad
Before you go to war against blue light, it’s worth knowing that exposure to it isn’t all harmful. In fact, blue light plays a meaningful role in regulating mood, alertness and your sleep-wake cycle. The bigger problem isn’t blue light itself but when and how you’re getting it.
“Research has shown that high-energy visible light, such as blue light, boosts alertness, helps memory, improves cognitive function, and elevates mood. In fact, blue light is even prescribed as a treatment for those affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also known as Seasonal Depression. The light sources for this therapy emits bright white light that contains a significant amount of HEV blue light rays,” according to the Raleigh Eye Center. “Blue light is also very important in regulating the circadian rhythm, the body’s natural wakefulness and sleep cycle. If you get enough blue light during the day, your body is more likely to be well-rested at night. But if you get too much blue light at night (from reading a tablet computer or e-reader at bedtime, for example), your cycle could be disrupted.”
The Raleigh Eye Center also points out a counterintuitive fact about where most of our blue light exposure actually comes from “Many people are aware that LED lights and flat-screen TVs emit blue light that can damage our eyes. However, we receive most of our blue light exposure outdoors, from sunlight. The reason computer and phone screens are so harmful to our eyes is that, while they only emit a fraction of the blue light emitted by the sun, they are usually very close to the user’s face for extended periods of time.”
