The increasing amount of time spent looking at digital screens has led many people to consider blue light glasses to reduce eye strain. For those who rely on corrective lenses, a common question is whether this protective eyewear can be used with contact lenses. The answer is straightforward: Yes, you can wear blue light glasses while wearing contact lenses. This combination is safe and practical for managing the effects of prolonged screen exposure.
Compatibility of Blue Light Glasses and Contact Lenses
The physical and optical compatibility of these two items stems from their distinct functions and placement. Contact lenses rest directly on the cornea, serving the sole purpose of correcting refractive errors to ensure clear vision. They function at the surface of the eye, effectively becoming part of the eye’s optical system.
Blue light filtering glasses, conversely, are typically non-prescription when worn over contacts, meaning they do not affect the vision correction provided by the contact lens. Their function is purely to filter a specific wavelength of light, typically the high-energy visible (HEV) light in the 400–500 nanometer range. Since the glasses sit on the face, a small distance from the eye, they introduce a separate filtering layer without physically or optically interfering with the contact lens.
Using non-prescription blue light glasses over contacts simply adds a light-filtering mechanism to the existing clear vision. The glasses act as a secondary barrier, reducing the amount of blue light that reaches the eye’s internal structures. This layered approach allows vision correction and light filtration to occur independently. This setup is comparable to wearing sunglasses over contacts, where the primary vision correction remains intact while the light filter is introduced.
Do Contacts Already Provide Blue Light Protection
A frequent misconception is that contact lenses offering UV protection also filter blue light. Ultraviolet (UV) light and blue light occupy different segments of the electromagnetic spectrum; a UV-blocking lens does not automatically provide blue light filtration. UV protection is a common feature in many standard contact lenses, designed to shield the cornea and internal eye structures from damaging UV-A and UV-B radiation.
Blue light, which is part of the visible light spectrum, requires specific pigments or treatment integrated into the lens material to be filtered. Standard contact lenses, even those with UV protection, do not contain the necessary technology to block HEV blue light effectively. This means a person wearing typical contacts remains exposed to the blue light emitted by digital devices.
Some specialized contact lenses are manufactured with built-in blue light filtering technology. These advanced lenses incorporate light-absorbing chromophores directly into the material to reduce blue light transmission. However, the degree of filtration often varies and may not be as significant as that provided by dedicated blue light glasses. For heavy screen users, combining these specialized contacts with glasses creates a more comprehensive protective barrier.
Practical Considerations for Wearing Both Simultaneously
While the combination of contacts and blue light glasses is safe and effective, users should be mindful of practical drawbacks. Prolonged screen time naturally reduces the blink rate, which commonly causes dry eyes for contact lens wearers. Wearing glasses over contacts may slightly reduce airflow and increase evaporation on the lens surface, potentially exacerbating dryness.
The introduction of a second lens surface can create unwanted visual effects. Lower-quality blue light glasses may be prone to glare or internal reflections between the contact lens and the glass lens surface. To minimize these issues, selecting glasses with a good anti-reflective coating is recommended, as this treatment reduces light bouncing off the lens surfaces.
Proper fit of the glasses is a consideration to maintain comfort. Glasses that are too tight or improperly aligned can cause pressure points on the nose or temples, which can become irritating. Ensuring that the frames are lightweight and sit comfortably on the face contributes to a better experience when combining the two forms of eyewear.