Using Blue Light Blocking Glasses Together with Contacts
Many contact lens wearers are interested in blue light filtering glasses to get added protection from high energy visible (HEV) light emitted from digital screens. But is it safe and effective to combine contacts with blue light specs? Let’s explore.
Understanding Blue Light Exposure
We live in a tech-driven world surrounded by LED lighting and electronic displays exposing our eyes to blue wavelength radiation. This phototoxic blue light can contribute to digital eye strain, sleep issues, and even retinal damage over time.
Using glasses specially designed to block or filter HEV light has become a popular protective strategy. But for the roughly 45 million Americans who already view the world through corrective contact lenses, questions remain.
Do You Still Need Blue Light Lenses with Contacts?
Some contact lens manufacturers now offer lenses with built-in blue light filters to help reduce eye fatigue and strain. However, the level of blue light filtration tends to be milder than with dedicated glasses in order to maintain sufficient color perception.
This means add-on blue light blocking glasses likely still provide noticeable benefits on top of contacts with some blue light protection. The combo maximizes filtering for comprehensive relief.
Types of Blue Light Glasses
All blue light filters don’t perform equally. Different lens options exist:
- Amber tint - Most filtering intensity offering the strongest blue light and glare reduction
- Yellow tint - Slightly less filtering power than amber but still quite effective
- Clear with invisible coating - More mild filtering preserving color vision accuracy best
Amber or yellow lenses tend to work optimally with contacts for noticeable eye strain alleviation while out and about. Clear lens glasses better suit night use to curb sleep-disrupting blue light exposure before bed.
Do Blue Light Glasses Work Over Contacts?
Yes, you can absolutely use blue light filtering glasses over your contact lenses. Make sure to choose goggles or frames with enough lens curvature and adequate side ventilation to accommodate contacts comfortably underneath.
Ideally opt for adjustable, flexible temples to get that custom, pressure-free fit around your contact lenses without cramming frames excessively against your face.
Benefits of Combining Contacts and Blue Light Shields
Key advantages of wearing blue light filtering glasses together with your contacts include:
- Enhanced HEV light blocking - More protection than contact lenses alone
- Improved glare reduction - Cuts intense reflective light sources better
- Added UV ray protection - Shields peripheral light exposure missed by contacts
- Minimized dry eye symptoms - Creates moisture chamber effect over eyes
- Extra scratch resistance - Contacts safeguard corneas under glasses
Getting Properly Fitted Lenses
To enable comfortably wearing prescription lenses or goggles over your contacts without compromising fit or vision, consider specialty ordering RX blue light glasses. These tailor-made filters optimize interplay with your existing contacts.
Work with your optician to select suitable lightweight frames with adjustable nose pads and temples to perfectly match your facial measurements and prescription needs for superimposing glasses over contacts.
Caring for Your Eyes Properly
Exercise proper care and hygiene around your contact lenses even when using supplementary blue light eyewear to maintain optimal ocular health:
- Cleanse hands thoroughly before handling lenses
- Use fresh solution to store lenses each night
- Give eyes breaks by removing lenses periodically
- Don’t sleep in lenses unless prescribed for that
- See your optometrist regularly for checkups
Watching for Problems
While blue light glasses pose minimal risks over contacts for most, improper use can lead to eye health and vision issues. Be attentive for any of the following problems:
- Discomfort, pressure or light leakage around glasses frames
- Difficulty fully closing eyes when blinking
- Reduced peripheral vision
- Blurry vision or distorted sight
- Excess tearing or discharge
- Unusual eye redness
- Itching, burning or dryness
Discontinue wearing glasses over contacts and schedule an eye exam promptly if any distressing symptoms arise.
The Bottom Line on Pairing Contacts with Blue Light Shields
Layering dedicated blue light filtering lenses over your contact lenses offers superior defense against high energy visible light thanks to amplified filtration. But ensure glasses fit comfortably without pressure or edge leakage over contacts.
Practice sound contact lens hygiene and be vigilant about indications of eye irritation, even under complementary blue light eyewear. Schedule routine eye exams to monitor ocular health at the intersection of contacts and glasses.
FAQs
Do you still need blue light glasses if you have contacts that filter blue light?
Yes, wearing dedicated blue light glasses together with blue-filtering contacts maximizes protection and visual relief by layering defenses against phototoxic high energy visible radiation.
What style of blue light glasses work best over contacts?
Look for goggles or frames explicitly designed to fit comfortably over contact lenses. Ideal features include full lens curvature, adjustable nose pads and temples, light weight, and ample ventilation.
Could wearing glasses on top of contacts damage your eyes?
Tight, ill-fitting glasses that press forcefully on contacts can cause pain, light leakage, blurry vision, tearing or abrasions. Get properly measured for overlay eyewear and discontinue use if irritation occurs.
Do you need prescription blue light filtering glasses for use with contacts?
You can buy ready-made blue light glasses to use over contacts. But for optimized interplay without compromising sight, consider custom prescription blue light filters tailored to your vision needs and facial dimensions.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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