The Best Blue-Light-Blocking Glasses

The Best Blue-Light-Blocking Glasses

If you believe the hype, blue-light-blocking glasses will prevent headaches, decrease eyestrain, and help you sleep like a baby. But most light sources (including the sun) produce blue light naturally and always have, so why are we suddenly trying to block it? And do these glasses do what they claim? The answer is murky, but we can tell you what scientists actually know about the dangers of blue light—and suggest some sturdy and stylish pairs of blue-light glasses you may want to try.

To find out the truth, we tested 13 pairs of glasses, read nearly two dozen studies, and interviewed three optometrists, two sleep experts, two eyeglasses providers, a medical doctor, and an ergonomics expert. The fact is, anyone promising miracles from a pair of blue-light-blocking glasses is probably selling something. The actual research is complex, and there’s no consensus. Short-term exposure to blue light from daily use of digital devices won’t harm your eyes, and there’s no clear answer as to whether yearslong exposure is more dangerous.

Likewise, a pair of glasses won’t magically cure your headaches or migraines. People who tell you otherwise don’t have the data to back it up. Our experts agreed that blue-light-blocking glasses are useful to help you fall (and stay) asleep, as they may help counteract the effects of blue light on your sleep-wake cycle. If you’d like to try them, below are the fashionable and comfortable pairs we recommend—plus what we’ve discovered about blue light, and some tips for how to shop for blue-light-blocking glasses online.

The research

• A subtle cat-eye shape: Sojos Cat Eye Blue Light Blocking Glasses
• A rainbow of color choices: Tijn Classic Nerd Square Blue Light Blocking Glasses
• Our favorite online blue-light prescription option: EyeBuyDirect
• What is blue light, and do you need to block it?
• How we picked and tested
• Do blue-light-blocking glasses work? Kind of.
• What to look for in blue-light-blocking glasses
• Who needs blue-light-blocking glasses?
• The competition
• Footnotes
• Frequently asked questions
• Sources

A subtle cat-eye shape: Sojos Cat Eye Blue Light Blocking Glasses

Our pick

Sojos Cat Eye Blue Light Blocking Glasses

A stylish, cheap pair of glasses

A good place to start if you don’t need prescription lenses and just want to try out blue-light-blocking glasses with a minimal investment.

Buying Options

If you love round lenses and want something with a hint of flair, the Sojos Cat Eye Blue Light Blocking Glasses are for you. These minimalist, wire-framed glasses have the tiniest cat-eye curves that let you experiment with a fun design without committing to an elaborate shape. They cost $17 (at the time of publication) and come in five metal-framed options; the lenses are nearly colorless, so you can remain productive on your computer without being distracted by an orange-tinted screen. More durable than most other metal-framed pairs we tested, the Sojos also have extra-thin arms that flex farther than those of most glasses we found, which makes them very comfortable and easy to wear. If you’re prone to sweating, you may also find that metal-framed glasses with nose pads, like the Sojos, are less likely to slide down your face than an all-acetate pair such as the Tijn.

The Sojos were one of the few pairs of glasses that didn’t trigger migraines in our tester who suffers from them, which, while anecdotal, is still a thing to keep in mind if you’re prone to headaches.

The Sojos Cat Eye glasses are sold in five different colors to suit your tastes (but they’re available in only one size). Thanks to Amazon’s friendly return policy, you have 30 days to send these back if they’re not your style. And while the incredibly light orange lens tint is barely noticeable to the naked eye, the lenses do have a film-like quality, which can make them appear foggy at times. The Sojos are the only pair we tested that comes with a repair kit, a microfiber cleaning cloth, and a storage bag.

Sizes: one size
Colors: nine colors, including rose gold and black with gold accents

A rainbow of color choices: Tijn Classic Nerd Square Blue Light Blocking Glasses

Our pick

Tijn Classic Nerd Square Blue Light Blocking Glasses

More colors to choose from

Grab these cute, cheap glasses in several colors if you like to change up your look often.

Buying Options

*At the time of publishing, the price was $12.

The Tijn Classic Nerd Square Blue Light Blocking Glasses are great for people who like to match their frames to their outfit. These glasses are sold in more than a dozen different translucent colors and patterns, from sea green to leopard, more than any pair we tested. The classic square frames didn’t overwhelm our testers’ faces, and the plastic is durable and doesn’t twist. They’re sturdy, with level arms that sit flat on your face, and unlike half the pairs we tested (including the similar WMAO Blue Light Blocking Glasses), they don’t suffer from overly stiff hinges. These lenses aren’t completely colorless—they have a very faint orange tint—but our testers didn’t mind. “I had forgotten that they were on my face,” said Wirecutter’s Justin Krajeski. Our panelists also said these glasses were comfortable to wear because the nose bridge and temple arms didn’t pinch, unlike some of the other glasses we tried. The Tjins do weigh more than half the pairs we tested—0.9 ounces. But if they’re uncomfortably heavy, you can return them to Amazon.

Sizes: one size
Colors: more than a dozen colors, including sea green, transparent, and leopard

Our favorite online blue-light prescription option: EyeBuyDirect

Our pick

Escape Rectangle Eyeglasses

Stylish frames, prescription optional

These timeless glasses are available with (or without) a prescription, come in multiple colors, and are the only pair we recommend that offers two sizes.

Buying Options

Buy1 Get1(non-sale $15+) w/code BOGOWC

Botanist Rectangle Eyeglasses

More unique, super lightweight

These narrow rectangular frames are the lightest we tested, come in unique color combos, and, if you wish, can be paired with your prescription.

Buying Options

Buy1 Get1(non-sale $15+) w/code BOGOWC

Offering both prescription and non-prescription blue-light-blocking glasses, EyeBuyDirect is our pick for the best place to buy glasses online thanks to its selection of high-quality glasses and reliable customer service. (It also offers a 14-day return policy.) We tried only two styles, but EyeBuyDirect sells hundreds of pairs in a variety of shapes, colors, sizes, and prices, and it can add an anti-glare coating to make those marathon Zoom sessions slightly more bearable.

EyeBuyDirect’s blue-light lenses are sold in four tiers and can be applied to both prescription and non-prescription glasses. We paired our frames with the cheapest blue-light lenses, at $19, which have a slight orange tint that was darker than half of the glasses we tested. You’ll need to upgrade if you want true colorless lenses, premium anti-glare coating, or magnification for reading.

We tested two frame styles: the Escape Rectangle Eyeglasses and the Botanist Rectangle Eyeglasses (though Wirecutter’s Tim Barribeau also likes his pair of Carnival frames with blue-light-blocking lenses). The Escape frames are timeless and available in a variety of patterns and colors, from the modern clear acrylic to the matte tortoiseshell. The subtle silver hinge studs along the edge add a hint of flair to the frames without pulling attention away from your face. They come in small and medium sizes, so they’ll fit on a wider variety of faces than any of the other glasses we recommend.

At just 0.5 ounces, the Botanist frames are the lightest pair we tested—most pairs we tried ranged in weight from 0.8 to 1.2 ounces. They’re better for people with smaller faces, and while they’re available in only one size (medium), the narrow frame and rectangular lenses make them smaller than the medium-sized Escapes. The Botanist frames also offer more unique color options, including a striped navy finish, black with marble temples, and a wood-effect finish.

Overall, EyeBuyDirect’s quality is better than any off-the-rack brand we found, and if you don’t like the pairs we tested, the company sells hundreds of frames in multiple colors and sizes. You can even search by size, using a current pair of glasses as a fit guide. And unlike our other recommendations, EyeBuyDirect is the only retailer that sells truly colorless lenses, albeit for an additional fee. If your glasses don’t fit or flatter, take advantage of EyeBuyDirect’s 14-day, no-questions-asked full refund policy.

Escape sizes: small and medium
Colors: six colors, including two tone (clear black), tortoiseshell, and translucent

Botanist sizes: medium
Colors: five colors, including subtle navy stripes, faux wood grain (brown), and plain black

What is blue light, and do you need to block it?

Imagine light passing through a prism, which fans it out into the colors of the rainbow. Each color you see is part of the visible light spectrum, which is defined by wavelengths. Shorter wavelengths (the smaller numbers on the chart above) generally become more harmful as they decrease, which is why many people want to block too much blue and violet light from reaching their eyes. However, it’s not a good idea to banish blue light completely. It’s found in every light source, including sunlight, and is known to boost your attention and mood. Long-term effects on eye health are unclear, but some studies have shown that rat retina cells die when exposed to extreme levels of blue light.

Blue light plays a major part in controlling your sleep cycle. Too much of it—even everyday levels, if you spend a lot of time in front of a screen—has proven problematic. Daylight, which contains blue light, helps tell your internal clock when it’s time to start the day or hit the hay. Stare at a blue-light-emitting device for too long at night, and your body might think it’s still daytime. Blue light, especially, has been found to suppress melatonin for about twice as long as green light. That could mean the difference between falling asleep in 30 minutes and one hour. During the day, such exposure to blue light can help keep you alert, but in the evening hours it can be potentially problematic (which is why many devices have nighttime modes that turn the screen that yellowish hue).

Lack of sleep affects every part of our body, our sleep experts told us. It can impact your heart, cognitive skills, and immune system, as well as lead to diabetes—and more. “It’s like rust in your car,” said Dr. Chris Winter, a neurologist and a sleep specialist. “It’s never a good thing, even if you’re not seeing it happening in real time.”

How we picked and tested

To find some stylish pairs of blue-light-blocking glasses, we scoured both prescription and non-prescription online sellers, Instagram influencer feeds, and forums. We also asked our friends, family, and colleagues for their chicest recommendations. We found 22 over-the-counter pairs with plastic or wire frames, ranging in price from $2 to $30. We narrowed down our testing pool by reviewing the frame styles, materials, color choices, brand reputation, third-party reviews, and prices. We also considered frames from brands we recommend in “The Best Places to Buy Glasses Online.” And we preferred lenses that were described as colorless or nearly colorless, as opposed to dark-orange polarized lenses.

For this guide, we had three people test 13 pairs of glasses while working on our laptops and scrolling through (“liking”) our friend’s social feeds on our phones. We paid special attention to style, quality, fit, comfort, and lens glare. Some glasses seemed comfortable at first but felt too heavy or tight after a few hours. Some had distracting glares that suddenly became very noticeable during a video call. We steered clear of glasses with easily scratched lenses, twisted arms, and rigid hinges (and there were a lot).

Can you test for blue-light-blocking ability?

Many online resources that suggest you can test blue-light-blocking glasses at home with DIY tricks, such as looking at some overlapping blue circles on your screen or shining a light through the lenses onto photosensitive paper. We tried these methods, but we couldn’t find any difference between the pairs we tested and, short of a $5,000 spectrometer, there’s no way to know for sure how any particular pair will perform. The best way to determine whether a pair of glasses will work for your eyes is to try them (and be willing to return them, if necessary).

Our research also showed that price doesn’t necessarily guarantee effectiveness. A July 2019 study in Optometry and Vision Science found no correlation between price and advertising claims when comparing the efficacy of cheap ($3), medium ($40), and high-end ($350) blue-light-blocking glasses and sunglasses, so don’t assume you’re getting stronger blocking ability by spending more. “There’s not a lot of rigorous standardization with the lens manufacturers themselves,” said Dr. Sunir Garg, clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and a professor of ophthalmology at the Retina Service of Wills Eye Hospital. Many retailers sell lenses with a blue-light-blocking filter that can scratch and fade over time, though prescription retailers usually have higher standards and bake the blue-light technology into the lens resin. If you’re curious about blue-light-blocking glasses, we think it’s smart to start with a cheap pair to see if you notice a marked improvement in your sleep or less eyestrain (although there’s no guarantee). You can always upgrade to a longer-lasting pair later.

When you’re ready for an upgrade, The Vision Council, which represents optical manufacturers like EyeBuyDirect and Zenni, said buying prescription glasses from a professional with medical-grade blue-light-blocking lenses is the safest bet. And if you want to confirm the results for yourself, you can ask them for a spectral report, which details how much light and at which wavelengths their lenses actually block.

Do blue-light-blocking glasses work? Kind of.

We read nearly two dozen studies and position statements on blue-light-blocking technology, and interviewed three optometrists, two eyeglasses providers, two sleep specialists, a medical doctor, and an ergonomics expert. After all of our research, we still couldn’t definitively answer this question (we looked into it years ago and came to a similarly uncertain conclusion). It’s more useful to consider what you’re using blue-light-blocking glasses to achieve.

Blue-light glasses can make it easier to fall asleep

Blue-light-blocking glasses are worth a shot if you find yourself tossing and turning after spending hours in front of screens, especially if you’re doomscrolling on your phone. The blue light emitted by these devices tells your body to stay awake when you’re actually supposed to be winding down to go to bed. Glasses that block a percentage of the blue light your eyes absorb can prevent you from having trouble falling asleep.

You don’t actually need to spend money on a new pair of glasses to decrease the blue light you see, though. Both the AAO and the American Optometric Association (AOA) advise reducing the amount of time you spend on your digital devices at night, avoiding bright screens up to three hours before bedtime, and dimming your screens and setting them to night mode so you’re exposed to warmer colors as you unwind. (Here’s how to adjust those settings on an Apple iPhone and a Samsung Galaxy.)

Of course, that’s easier said than done, and you’ll still be exposed to the blue light emitted by various household items other than your phone or computer. The benefits of blocking blue light to fall asleep do improve when you add a pair of glasses, said Roy Raymann, then chief scientific officer of SleepScore Labs, because they’re designed to block all sources of blue light, such as your bedside lamp, television screen, and refrigerator light bulb. Personally, I’ve found a combination of these two strategies to be beneficial. Using prescription lenses with blue-light-blocking technology and setting my devices to night mode with a color filter has helped me fall asleep faster in recent weeks.

Blue-light glasses most likely have no effect on digital eyestrain and long-term eye damage

Eye experts say the low levels of blue light from your computer screen probably aren’t making your eyes tired and achy—it’s more likely that while intensely focusing on your screen, you blink less, resulting in dryer eyes. This can lead to digital eyestrain, and potentially blurry vision, dry eyes, and headaches. It’s similar to how you might feel after periods of intense focus, such as reading a book or handwriting your pandemic-themed memoir.

Use artificial tears to prevent your eyes from drying out, said Garg, the Wills Eye Hospital professor. You should also use the 20-20-20 rule to give your eyes a rest: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Proponents of blue-light-blocking glasses point to another eye-health concern: age-related macular degeneration, which happens when the macula part of your retina (the central area of the back of your eyeball) is damaged. According to the AAO, it’s the leading cause of vision loss among people 50 and older. Recent studies show that extremely high levels of blue-light radiation may increase the risk for age-related macular degeneration, but the AAO, the AOA, and the UK’s Association of Optometrists all state that blue light from digital devices doesn’t cause adverse effects. Blue-light-blocking glasses may help lessen the risk of age-related macular degeneration, but for now the evidence isn’t definitive.

Blue-light glasses most likely won’t improve headaches

If you suffer from tension headaches or chronic migraines, as I do, don’t expect a cheap pair of glasses to help. During testing, I found that some of the blue-light-blocking glasses actually caused more migraines than they prevented, and it had nothing to do with the lenses.1 A bad pair with tight frames, pinching nose pads, or acute light reflections may exacerbate your headache symptoms, rather than relieve them. I had to remove half of the pairs I tested within the first 30 minutes of wearing them because the side effects were too overwhelming (we did not recommend these pairs).

As Garg suggested, you’re better off taking frequent breaks to look away and relieve your eyes. You can also try adjusting your ergonomic setup. Thomas Caffrey, an ergonomics consultant for The New York Times, said the placement of everything from your computer monitor to your keyboard can cause digital eyestrain or headaches. Poor posture can actually cause “referred pain,” which is when an injured area causes symptoms elsewhere. Check out our advice in “7 Things You Need for an Ergonomically Correct Workstation”—if you still experience headaches after making those adjustments, our experts suggest consulting an eye-care specialist.

What to look for in blue-light-blocking glasses

Shopping for glasses online is tricky because you can’t try them on to find a pair that’s both comfortable and complements your face shape. Most over-the-counter glasses are sold in only a size or two, while prescription pairs and some higher-end non-prescription sunglasses usually have three numbers etched into the arms, such as 50-16-135. These are millimeter measurements that correspond to the lens width, bridge width, and arm length, respectively. Remove some of the guesswork by using a pair of well-fitting glasses to figure out your size. Either look at the numbers or, if they’re missing, measure the frames yourself. Try to stick to glasses that closely match those measurements, particularly the bridge and the arm.

Then consider the lens color. All of the glasses Wirecutter tested appeared to be colorless at first glance, but when we wore them, we noticed they all have a faint to moderate orange tint. (For an extra fee, you can order prescription lenses that are virtually colorless from our favorite online retailer, EyeBuyDirect.) Orange lenses block blue light because they only let through light with similar wavelengths, like orange and red. The stronger the orange tint, the less blue light gets through, decreasing the amount your eyes are absorbing and potentially helping to counteract negative effects. (Keep in mind that colored lenses can affect the color accuracy you see on your screen.)

If you plan to wear them throughout the day, don’t pick lenses that are too dark orange or those that claim to block 100% of blue light. The AOA doesn’t recommend these. “The eyes still need blue light, both physiologically and for color perception,” said Dr. William T. Reynolds, president of the AOA. “Newer lens technology blocks only a portion of the blue light. These lenses are practical because they remain clear and still offer blue-light protection while reducing glare.” (You can get a sense of how dark the tint is by reviewing the product description and third-party reviews.)

However, if you don’t care about looks and plan to wear them only right before bed, a quality pair with a much darker tint may be better for your sleep cycle. “They’re not something you want to go out in public wearing, but they work,” said Winter, the neurologist. He recommends both this UVEX pair and Swanwick’s line of blue-light-blocking glasses.

Who needs blue-light-blocking glasses?

Eye-care professionals are quick to point out that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to your eyes. If you’re considering blue-light-blocking glasses, it’s best to schedule an eye exam with your eye-care provider for the best treatment option. For people experiencing headaches after spending all day at a desk, it may be their ergonomic setup that is to blame, or perhaps just general eye fatigue. For others, it could be that their vision has changed and they need a new prescription.

Most kids shouldn’t wear blue-light-blocking glasses

Parents with children in remote programs may be tempted to buy a pair of blue-light-blocking glasses for their kids, but most children shouldn’t be wearing them all day. In fact, their eyes actually need that wavelength from sunlight—a deficiency of natural blue light in maturing eyes can lead to myopia (nearsightedness). “It’s really a tough time for parents, and they’re looking to do right by their kids,” said Garg. “But we’re not seeing it being a clinical concern. We’ve naturally evolved to take in as much as we need.” (Garg’s own child is in a virtual learning environment, and he’s not worried about their exposure.) To help protect a child’s eyesight and ensure they’re receiving the developmental benefits of natural blue light, make sure they’re getting one to three hours of outdoor playtime a day, said the AOA’s Reynolds, and try to limit their screen time and exposure to bright lights before bed (for better-quality sleep). Here’s some age-based screen-time guidance from the World Health Organization.

Adults who have trouble sleeping can benefit

The role blue light plays on human sleep patterns is well established, so experts say a pair of blue-light-blocking glasses can help adults snooze better. The best way to achieve a better night’s rest is by using blue-light-blocking glasses at night and reducing screen brightness and exposure before bedtime. “Those things definitely make a difference,” said Winter. “Even a dimmer switch for your home can help.” As for both daytime and evening use, our experts said the science is still out on whether wearing blue-light-blocking glasses all day will be beneficial or detrimental to long-term health.

Blue-light glasses may even help you sleep better if you have limited vision or a complete loss of sight, though it’s best to consult your doctor. For some, these glasses could help improve sleep, Winter noted, because blue light can still affect how some people with color blindness secrete melatonin. Similarly, people who are blind can experience significant disruptions to their sleep because the light pathway in the eye is still absorbing blue light, even though the visual pathway can’t see it.

The competition

Plastic frames

The temple arms of the K Kenzhou Blue Light Blocking Computer Glasses have loose hinges, and the glasses regularly slid off in our testing. The nose pads also pinch (and gave one tester a headache).

The stylish Sungait Cat Eye Blue Light Glasses seemed promising, but the frames are crooked, the temple arms are too tight, and the moderate orange tint and white lens reflection were distracting come work time. The combination of design failures gave one tester a headache after wearing this pair for just 30 minutes.

The cheap Wild Fable Women’s Blue Light Filtering Rectangle Glasses from Target offer fun, transparent frame hues, but the glasses themselves are crooked, the hinges are too tight to easily open and close, and the moderate orange tint and blinding purplish reflection made this pair annoying to wear.

The WMAO Blue Light Blocking Glasses are crooked, yet they stayed on better than most plastic frames we tested. Unfortunately, one tester still got a headache while wearing this pair.

Wire frames

The Cyxus Blue Light Filter Computer Glasses have tight hinges that are difficult to open and close, the temple arms pinch, and the nose pads are loose and sit farther down than most glasses we tested, which made them uncomfortable to wear. These glasses also gave one tester a headache.

The Free People Rion Blue Light Glasses (no longer available) reminded us of frame styles that were popular in the 1980s, but not in a good way. Also, the glasses are crooked, the nose pads sit low (like those of the Cyxus pair), one of the lenses was cracked, and the hinges are uneven.

The Urban Outfitters Logan Half-Frame Blue Light Glasses (no longer available) weigh 1.2 ounces, making this the heaviest pair we tested—too heavy to wear for long periods of time.

The Urban Outfitters Taylor Blue Light Round Glasses (no longer available) were a former pick that we liked for their lightweight design and subtle but attractive color options.

Footnotes

Frequently asked questions

Do blue-light glasses really work?

No one can definitively say if blue-light glasses really work—they do block some blue light, but it’s unclear how helpful that is. It’s better to consider why you need a pair and go from there. Generally, people use blue-light-blocking glasses to get a better night’s sleep, reduce digital eyestrain, or prevent headaches.

Blue-light glasses block a percentage of the blue light your eyes absorb, so wearing a pair at night might help you fall asleep faster by telling your internal clock it’s time to rest.

Unfortunately, blue-light glasses most likely have no effect on preventing digital eyestrain or headaches. Your eyes are tired because you’re intensely focusing on your screen and blinking less, resulting in dryer eyes, blurry vision, and headaches. Using artificial tears and taking frequent breaks can help mitigate those issues.

Can blue light glasses damage your eyes?

Probably not, but that doesn’t mean you should wear them all the time. The medical community doesn’t believe blue-light glasses can damage your eyes but, most adults shouldn’t wear these glasses outdoors or 24/7 because your eyes still need to absorb natural blue light from the sun to tell your internal clock when it’s daylight (time to wake up) or nighttime (time to rest).

Similarly, most children shouldn’t be wearing blue-light glasses all day. Their eyes actually need that wavelength from sunlight because a deficiency of natural blue light in maturing eyes can lead to myopia (nearsightedness).

Who should wear blue light glasses?

Eye-care professionals are quick to point out that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to your eyes, but in our research and testing, the most compelling use case for blue light glasses is to help you if you have trouble falling asleep at night. If you’re considering blue-light-blocking glasses, it’s best to talk to your eye-care provider first. If you have headaches after spending all day at a desk, it may be an ergonomic setup that’s to blame, or perhaps just general eye fatigue. For others, it could be that their vision has changed and they need a new prescription.

Adults who have trouble falling asleep may benefit from a pair of blue-light-blocking glasses. Combine the glasses with reducing your screen’s brightness, and limiting your exposure to other sources of synthetic blue light, like your bedside lamp, for maximum effectiveness.

Kids shouldn’t wear these glasses, even those who are enrolled in distance learning, because their eyes need the blue light found in sunlight to prevent their maturing eyes from developing nearsightedness.

Do blue light glasses help headaches?

Eye experts say the low levels of blue light from your computer screen probably aren’t the thing giving you a headache, so blocking them won’t help by much. Instead, the root cause is more likely that while intensely focusing on your screen, you blink less. This can lead to digital eyestrain, and potentially blurry vision, dry eyes, and headaches. It’s similar to how you might feel after periods of intense focus, such as reading a book.

In our testing, our reviewer who suffers from tension headaches and migraines said the blue-light-blocking glasses actually caused more migraines than they prevented, and it had nothing to do with the lenses. Bad glasses with tight frames, pinching nose pads, or acute light reflections may worsen your headache symptoms, rather than relieve them.

Do my regular prescription glasses block blue light?

No, standard eyeglasses do not block blue light. You can purchase glasses with a blue-light blocking coating for an extra fee. EyeBuyDirect sells lenses with blue-light coating starting at $19.

How do I clean blue-light glasses?

You can clean blue-light-blocking glasses like any pair of lenses with these steps: Remove any visible gunk with a cotton swab; rinse the glasses under warm water to dislodge excess grime; squirt a pea-sized drop of dish soap onto the lenses and rub the soap in with your fingers; rinse off the soap; shake the glasses dry; and wipe them down with a microfiber cloth. Our post on How to Clean Your Glasses offers a little more detail.

Sources

1. Premilla Banwait, OD, FAAO, optometric consultant at, Zenni, email interview, August 28, 2020

2. Thomas Caffrey, ergonomic consultant for, The New York Times, email interview, August 31, 2020

3. Sunir Garg, MD, FACS, clinical spokesperson for the, American Academy of Ophthalmology and professor of ophthalmology at the Retina Service of Wills Eye Hospital, phone interview, September 9, 2020

4. Sean Pate, brand marketing and communications officer at, Zenni, email interview, August 28, 2020

5. Roy Raymann, PhD, chief scientific officer at, SleepScore Labs, email interview, October 29, 2020

6. William T. Reynolds, OD, president of the, American Optometric Association, email interview, September 3, 2020

7. Richard Rodriguez, public relations and communications manager at, EyeBuyDirect, email interview, August 28, 2020

8. Bridgitte Shen Lee, OD, FAAO, FBCLA, FEAOO, medical adviser to, The Vision Council and co-founder of Vision Optique, email interview, September 28, 2020

9. Chris Winter, MD, D-ABSM, D-ABIM, D-ABPN, F-AASM, neurologist and sleep specialist, phone interview, October 30, 2020

About your guide

Kaitlyn Wells is a senior staff writer who advocates for greater work flexibility by showing you how to work smarter remotely without losing yourself. Previously, she covered pets and style for Wirecutter. She’s never met a pet she didn’t like, although she can’t say the same thing about productivity apps. Her first picture book, A Family Looks Like Love, follows a pup who learns that love, rather than how you look, is what makes a family.

Further reading

• What Are Computer Glasses (and Do They Work)?

  by Mark Smirniotis and Leigh Krietsch Boerner

  It’s still unclear whether computer glasses are more beneficial than other eyestrain-reduction options, such as apps that reduce blue-light exposure.

• The Best Safety Glasses

  by James Austin

  Safety glasses offer protection against surprise objects flying into your beautiful eyes, and these picks fit a wide range of head sizes and facial structures.

• The Best Places to Buy Glasses Online

  by Nancy Redd

  After testing comparable frames and lenses from 11 online retailers, we recommend starting your search for prescription eyeglasses at Eyebuydirect.

• The Best Anti-Fog for Glasses and a Mask

  by Tracy Vence

  A loose-fitting mask can lead to foggy glasses. If you don’t want to tape the top of your mask to your face, anti-fog drops might help. (So might soap or spit.)