Blue Light Glasses vs Anti-Fatigue Glasses - What's the Difference?

Unpleasant side effects from digital device use are becoming a daily issue for many people.

Blurry vision, tired eyes, and headaches often result from prolonged close-up work and constant screen exposure.

You’ve likely seen various types of digital eyewear – blue light glasses, computer glasses, anti-fatigue lenses but what’s the difference between them? And which is better for your digital eyes?

At a Glance: Blue Light vs Anti-Fatigue

The key difference lies in what each is designed to address.

Blue light glasses filter specific wavelengths of blue light, particularly the high-energy light that can interfere with your natural sleep cycle.

Anti-fatigue glasses reduce eye strain from close-up digital work by using lens zones that support near vision and reduce the effort of focusing.

“Computer glasses” is a broad term that can refer to either type – or a combination – depending on the design and purpose. 

Blue Light Glasses: What They Do

Blue light glasses are designed to reduce the amount of short-wavelength blue light reaching your eyes. This can help in situations where screen exposure – especially in the evening – affects your ability to wind down or fall asleep.

Benefits of Blue Light Glasses

• May Improve Sleep Quality
  Evening blue light exposure can suppress melatonin, the hormone that regulates your sleep cycle. Wearing blue light glasses before bed may help minimize this effect and promote better sleep.
• Improved Comfort During Screen Use
  By softening harsh light and reducing glare, these lenses can make screens more comfortable to look at – especially in dim or mixed lighting. However, they don’t address focusing issues or prevent all types of digital eye strain.

Anti-Fatigue Glasses: What They Do

Anti-fatigue glasses are designed to ease the demands on your eye muscles during sustained screen use – especially at typical working distances (around 50–66 cm). They include a subtle boost in the lower portion of the lens to assist near vision, reducing the strain of frequent focus changes between near and far.

Benefits of Anti-Fatigue Glasses

• Reduced Focusing Strain
  These lenses reduce the workload on your eye’s focusing system, helping to alleviate headaches, blurry vision, and general discomfort throughout the day.
• Support for Heavy Screen Users
  If you experience symptoms like sore eyes, headaches, or blurred vision from extended device use, anti-fatigue lenses can help relieve this discomfort.

Do I Need Anti-Blue Light or Anti-Fatigue Lenses?

While not everyone needs specialised eyewear for screen use, certain individuals may benefit from blue light or anti-fatigue lenses based on their symptoms, lifestyle, or work environment.

You might benefit from blue light glasses if:

• You use screens for extended periods in the evening or before bed, and notice difficulty falling asleep.
• You’re sensitive to light or glare, especially from LED or fluorescent lighting.
• You work in mixed or dim lighting conditions where glare from screens becomes uncomfortable.

You might benefit from anti-fatigue lenses if:

• You experience tired eyes, headaches, or blurry vision after long periods of reading, writing, or screen use.
• You often shift focus between near and far tasks, such as between a monitor and paper documents or colleagues across the room.
• You’re an office worker, or digital professional with sustained near work throughout the day.

You can also get lenses which offer both forms of protection. At Optometrist Parramatta, we automatically apply blue light filters to all our anti-fatigue lenses.

Our optometrists can help evaluate whether computer glasses may be right for you during a comprehensive eye exam.

Behavioural Tips for Managing Digital Eye Strain

No matter what glasses you wear, good screen habits are essential:

• Follow the 20-20-20 Rule – Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
• Adjust Your Lighting – Avoid glare and harsh lighting. Balance your screen brightness with ambient light.
• Blink More Often – Screen use decreases your blink rate. Try to consciously blink more, especially during long sessions.
• Position Your Screen Well – Keep your monitor at arm’s length, with the top of the screen at or just below eye level.

Final Thoughts
Choosing between blue light and anti-fatigue glasses comes down to how you use your eyes and what symptoms you’re experiencing. 

To find out more about digital eye strain, book an appointment with us today.