If you’ve been anywhere near TikTok lately, you’re sure to have seen them… Oversized, often non-prescription glasses, sometimes with a slight amber sheen, perched confidently on the noses of influencers during study hauls, productivity vlogs, and mirror selfies. These are blue light glasses (aka blue blockers) and they’re part tech accessory, part aesthetic statement. In the world of TikTok, they’ve become a symbol that says “I’ve got my life together”.
But as blue blockers shift from specialist eyewear to viral fashion trend, everyone’s asking “what do they actually do”? And, more importantly, do you need them too?
What are blue light glasses for?
Originally developed to reduce eye strain caused by prolonged screen time, blue light glasses have been marketed as a catch all solution to digital age woes, such as tired eyes, poor sleep, and even long term damage to eye health. The logic behind this is that screens emit high energy visible blue light, and blue light blocking glasses are designed with a special coating that filters or “blocks” some of that light.
We’re on our screens constantly. Whether it’s the morning scroll, some midday procrastinating, or a midnight TikTok binge, our eyes don’t get much rest. So it makes sense that many of us are concerned about the impact of all this screen time, from dry eyes and headaches to disrupted sleep patterns.
How blue blockers work
Blue light blocking glasses have lenses designed to filter out or absorb blue light. They work in two main ways:
Coated lenses
Many blue blockers have a special coating that reduces the amount of blue light entering your eyes. This coating may also reduce glare, which can further alleviate eye strain.
Tinted lenses
Some blue blockers use tinted lenses, often with a yellow or amber hue, to neutralise blue light. These are effective for evening use, as they help minimise the impact on melatonin production.
Whilst blue light glasses don’t block all blue light, they can reduce the intensity of exposure, which some people find helpful in managing symptoms of digital eye strain and improving sleep.
Blue blockers- function, or fashion?
It certainly seems as if there could be some health benefits to wearing blue blockers. But this perhaps doesn’t fully explain their sudden boom in TikTok popularity. In fact, it may actually be less about health and more about style. Blue light glasses have become a kind of fashion forward wellness symbol - the eyewear equivalent of a Stanley cup or a silk eye mask.
With eyewear designers such as London Mole leading the march in fashionable blue blockers, it’s no wonder that everyone wants to be seen in them, whether or not they need them for health or vision reasons.
Are blue blockers for you?
While blue light blocking glasses may not work for everyone, many people claim they make a big difference in reducing the symptoms of their blue light exposure. If you’re struggling with eye strain or sleep disruption due to screen use, blue blockers are certainly worth considering as part of your strategy to protect your eyes and improve your overall comfort.
If you like how they look, if they make you feel more focused, or if they help take the edge off harsh lighting, they’re well worth a try. Plus, London Mole’s range of stylish blue light glasses are priced from just £17.99, making them a great excuse to try out some fashionable eyewear!
