Choosing computer glasses: types, blue-light filters and frames

Изображение сгенерировано нейросетью Dall-e

Long hours at the computer are part of everyday life. In this reality, many turn to computer glasses to boost comfort and ease eye strain. To find the pair that truly suits you, it helps to understand lens types, blue-light filtering levels, coatings, and frame details.

Why computer glasses are useful

Monitors emit bright light, and close work demands constant effort from the eyes. Over time, fatigue, dryness, a gritty sensation, and reduced contrast can creep in. Lenses with anti-glare coatings and blue-light filters help soften these effects. They don’t treat vision problems, but they make screen time feel less punishing.

Experts note there’s no evidence that blue light from monitors harms the eyes. The usual culprits are infrequent blinking, poor lighting, and long stretches of concentration. That said, a blue-light filter can be helpful in the evening: it reduces the impact of the bright spectrum on circadian rhythms and can make falling asleep easier.

Types of computer lenses

Non-prescription (plano) lenses

These have no diopters. They suit people with normal vision who want basic glare reduction and moderate blue-light filtering.

Single-vision lenses

Corrective lenses with diopters for one working distance. Suitable for myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism.

Office progressive lenses

Used for presbyopia. The top zone is set for the monitor, the middle for documents, and the bottom for close-up tasks. They require some adaptation, but when fitted properly they’re convenient across several distances.

Lenses with a relaxation boost

They add a small amount of optical power in the lower part of the lens to take the load off the eye muscles during long sessions. Prescribed on a doctor’s recommendation.

Photochromic lenses

Clear indoors and darker outdoors. A practical choice if you often move between the office and the street and want one pair for both.

Coatings and protection

When choosing computer glasses, pay attention to these coatings:

• Anti-glare coating reduces reflections and improves image contrast.
• Blue Cut or similar filters reduce the amount of blue light.
• Hard coating protects the lens from minor scratches.
• Hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings make cleaning easier and help prevent smudges.

For most users, a combination of anti-glare and moderate blue-light filtering is enough.

Blue-light filtering levels

The degree of blue-light blocking varies:

• 20–30% — light filtering with virtually no color shift.
• 30–50% — a balanced option for long daytime sessions.
• Above 80% — a noticeable yellow tint; mainly for evening use and not suitable when accurate color rendering matters.

Choosing a frame

Fit shapes comfort. Ideally, the frame is lightweight, doesn’t press on the bridge or temples, and the lenses fully cover your field of view. This matters even more with a wide monitor or a dual-screen setup.

How to choose computer glasses: a step-by-step guide

1. Get an eye exam. If you have fatigue, headaches, double vision, or already wear corrective glasses, start with a specialist. Often what feels like "fatigue" hides accommodative spasm or an incorrect prescription.
2. Define your use case. Consider how long you sit at a monitor, whether you work with color, and whether you need evening comfort or outdoor versatility.
3. Choose the lens type. With normal vision, plano lenses with basic filtering work well. If you have a prescription, order corrective lenses; with presbyopia, consider office progressives.
4. Select the filtering level. For daytime work, clear lenses with moderate blocking are optimal. Warmer tints can be helpful in the evening.
5. Check the coatings. Anti-glare is the essential minimum. The rest depends on how and where you use the glasses.
6. Try on the frame. Choose for comfort: the lens should fully cover the eye, and the frame shouldn’t create pressure points.

Models and brands

As a starting point, consider these categories:

• popular all-purpose models like Xiaomi with moderate filtering and lightweight lenses;
• basic glasses from optical chains, including lines labeled Blue Cut;
• international brands such as Gunnar, with options for gaming and office work;
• manufacturers that offer custom lenses with various coatings and can fit them into almost any frame.

Differences between models typically come down to comfort, design, and material quality rather than the level of filtering.

What to keep in mind

Computer glasses improve comfort, but they don’t replace breaks. To reduce fatigue, follow the 20–20–20 rule: every twenty minutes, look for twenty seconds at about six meters. Lighting, monitor height, distance to the screen, and how often you blink also make a real difference.