Blue Light Glasses vs Sunglasses: Difference and Comparison

Glasses are very important for our eyes. It is also known as eyeglasses or spectacles. Glasses are made up of plastic or glass lenses put together with the help of a frame so that person can wear them easily.

The most common use of glasses is that they are used for correcting our vision, like for reading, farsightedness, nearsightedness etc. But apart from it, it is also used for beauty, protection from the sun, cosmetics etc. Blue Light Glasses and sunglasses come under the category of Glasses only.

Key Takeaways

1. Blue light glasses are glasses with lenses that filter out blue light emitted by digital screens, while sunglasses are glasses with lenses that block out harmful UV rays from the sun.
2. Blue light glasses are worn indoors or while using electronic devices, while sunglasses are worn outdoors in bright sunlight.
3. Blue light glasses are designed to reduce eye strain and improve sleep quality, while sunglasses protect against eye damage from UV rays.

Blue Light Glasses vs Sunglasses

Blue light glasses are glasses specifically designed to block blue light emitted by electronic screens. They are meant to reduce eye strain and sleep disruptions caused by prolonged use of electronic devices. Sunglasses are glasses designed to block UV rays and reduce glare from sunlight.

Blue Light Glasses are glasses whose main function is to filter the blue lights which come from tablets, smartphones and computers. In today’s world, where everyone is so much in touch with gadgets, demand for Blue Light Glasses has increased considerably.

It has become very much popular. Due to the overexposure of blue lights, Blue Light Glasses are used. It protects our eyes from straining, dry eyes, which can result in partial blindness.

Sunglasses are also known as glares, shades, sunnies, etc. Its main function is to protect our eyes from bright sunlight, harmful and high-energy lights that are visible to us. Sunglasses can also be used as visual aids.

They come in different types, such as polarized, darkened and coloured. It blocks the harmful ultraviolet rays, which can cause damage to our eyes. Researches suggest that it is very important to wear sunglasses as it also protects from dust as well.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Blue Light Glasses	Sunglasses
UV Lights	It doesn’t help with UV protection.	It helps with UV protection.
Place	It is worn inside.	It is worn outside.
Circadian	It helps with the Circadian alignment.	It doesn’t help with Circadian alignment.
Invented by	Felix Gray popularised it.	Sam Foster in the year 1929 invented it.
Uses	It helps to protect from harmful effects on the lens,  eyelids, cornea, and retina.	It helps to protect the eyes from glare and damage to the retina.

What is Blue Light Glasses?

Blue Light Glasses or Blue Light Blocking Glasses are specially designed lenses that help block the blue lights from digital screens like laptops, computers etc. These glasses are anti-glare, and it helps to protect our eyes from the retina, which can be damaged due to prolonged exposure to blue light.

Many problems are caused due to exposure of blue light, such as dry eyes, muscular degeneration, eye-straining, and sleep cycle disruption. This can also lead to partial blindness.

Blue Light Glasses are also called as computer glasses as it protects from artificial light. The function of Blue Light Glasses is to filter the blue lights. But studies suggest that we should not completely block blue lights.

Because it helps in Circadian alignment, Blue Light Glasses also helps in this. It balances hormones and makes us stay alert, awake and active during the daytime. It is worn inside, and it doesn’t protect from UV lights.

Blue Light Glasses focuses on blocking the specific wavelength of green and blue lights. Glasses that come with the red lens are worn 2 to 3 hours early for good sleep and melatonin production. The yellow lens of Blue Glasses helps to uplift the mood.

What are Sunglasses?

Sunglasses have been used since prehistoric times. Evidence shows that people of Asia and North America used certain types or specific types of equipment to protect their eyes from sun rays.

Sunglasses are designed to protect from bright sunlight that causes discomfort to the human eyes. They are also used as visual aids. They come in different types, such as polarised, coloured and darkened.

Since the year 1930s, Sunglasses have become very popular, and they were used for fashion purposes. In the 20th century in America, it was called Sun Cheaters. Sunglasses are very necessary if you undergo surgery or to protect from dusty areas, in front of digital screens and going out of the house.

It protects us from harmful ultraviolet rays by blocking them. They can improve visual clarity and comfort by protecting us from Glare, i.e. it is also referred to as Glares. Many patients are suggested to wear sunglasses after their eye examinations.

Polarized Sunglasses are used to reduce the effect of glare on metallic or shiny surfaces. It protects us from various kinds of diseases, such as various forms of eye cancer, cataracts, snow blindness etc.

Sunglasses that filter 99% of UVA and UVB lights and have a wavelength of 400nm are considered as best for use by experts.

Main Differences Between Blue Light Glasses and Sunglasses

1. Blue Light Glasses don’t help with UV protection as it has anti-glare. Sunglasses help with UV protection, and it comes with glare.
2. Blue Light Glasses are to be worn inside as it protects from artificial lights. Sunglasses are to be worn outside as it protects from sunlight.
3. Blue Light Glasses help with Circadian alignment and help to maintain balance and rhythm to hormones. Sunglasses don’t help with Circadian alignment.
4. Felix Gray popularised Blue Light Glasses, and it became popular a few years recently. Sam Foster, in the year 1929, invented Sunglasses, although they had been used since prehistoric times.
5. Blue light Glasses help to protect from harmful effects on the lens, eyelids, cornea, and retina. Sunglasses help to protect the eyes from glare and damage to the retina.

References

1. https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/asma/asem/2011/00000082/00000009/art00007
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6615932/