Do You Need ‘Computer’ Glasses for Tired Eyes?

En español | As the coronavirus pandemic has driven many of us online for work, meetings and even socializing, sales of computer glasses are on the rise. But what do these glasses really do? Are they worth buying?

Short answer: probably not. Most computer glasses are designed to filter out blue light — high-energy light rays emitted from the display screens on your computer, tablet and phone. Manufacturers of computer glasses claim that too much exposure to blue light can lead to dry eyes, blurred vision, eye fatigue, headache and other symptoms of digital eyestrain.

While it’s true that hours spent staring at your screens can cause all those problems, the blue light isn’t to blame, says Anne L. Coleman, M.D., president of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and professor of ophthalmology at the University of California, Los Angeles.