Key Takeaways
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When you first start using blue light glasses, initial discomfort might be normal, it’s often just your eyes adjusting or incorrect usage.
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Lens distortion, the wrong frame fit, or cheap filters can cause headaches, dizziness, or eye strain.
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Wearing blue light glasses incorrectly or for too long can increase your discomfort instead of helping.
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Fixes include choosing premium blue light glasses with high quality lenses, ensuring your glasses fit properly, as well as managing screen time, and following the 20-20-20 rule for optimal eye health.
So… You bought blue light glasses to reduce eye strain, but why are they causing pain instead?
If you’re asking, “Why do blue light glasses hurt my eyes?”, the short answer is: you're most likely just adjusting, wearing the wrong pair, or you’re not using them properly.
In this guide, we’ll go over some of the quick fixes to reduce discomfort while wearing blue light glasses and help you understand when it's time to get advice from an eye care professional.
Understanding Blue Light Glasses
Blue light glasses are specially designed to filter out harmful blue light from screens, artificial lighting, and LEDs.
While blue light is also emitted naturally from the sun and plays an important role in our circadian rhythm (i.e. your body’s “clock”), artificial blue light has been linked to disrupted sleep cycles, headaches, and digital eye strain.
So, do blue light glasses actually work?
The answer is yes! Since we’re constantly surrounded by blue light from phones, tablets, and computers in today’s digital era, these glasses can reduce glare, help protect your retinas, and improve sleep by filtering wavelengths of artificial blue light before they get the chance reach your eyes.
Say goodbye to eye strain and poor sleep with Dream Blue Light Blocking Glasses.
Reasons Your Eyes Could Be Hurting When Wearing Blue Light Glasses
Discomfort when wearing any new glasses isn’t an uncommon experience, especially at the beginning. These are some of the top reasons why wearing blue light glasses might cause your eyes to hurt:
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Your Eyes Are Adjusting to New Lenses
When you start wearing glasses (especially for the first time), it’s no surprise that your eyes and brain need time to adjust.
This can lead to headaches, slight dizziness, or a feeling of strain. The lenses may slightly change how you perceive depth, colors, or brightness, which can temporarily confuse your vision system.
The answer is to start slowly. Wear your new glasses for short sessions, then gradually increase the time each day.
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Poor Lens Quality or The Wrong Prescription
If your glasses are poorly made with cheaper lenses or not suited to your vision needs, they can cause strain instead of the relief you’ve been looking for.
A high quality pair of blue light lenses, should filter specific wavelengths without distorting your view. Cheap lenses on the otherhand may introduce glare or warp your field of vision.
Incorrect prescription lenses with blue light coatings can also lead to headaches, blurry vision, light sensitivity, eye fatigue, and even nausea.
Make sure you choose quality glasses like those from Dream Recovery, or look into updating your prescription if you wear corrective lenses.
If you need vision correction while reading, take a look at the best blue light blocking reading glasses.
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Overblocking Natural Blue Light
Blue light isn’t all bad! During the day, natural blue light from the sun helps to regulate alertness and your internal body clock.
Wearing really strong blue-blocking lenses, like those with amber lenses during the day, can make you feel tired and unfocused. By blocking out too much natural blue light, your brain might receive the signal that it’s nighttime, even if it’s noon.
Save higher-filter blue light blocking glasses with amber lenses for the evening when your body naturally prepares for rest, as these are the best blue light blocking glasses for sleep.
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Wearing Glasses Incorrectly or for Too Long
Using blue light glasses as the only cure-all for staring at screens for hours and hours isn’t ideal. Even with blue light protection, you can still get digital eye strain if you don’t take other precautions.
During times of extended screen time, it’s essential to take regular breaks, adjust brightness, and maintain good posture.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, it’s recommended to follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
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Poor Fit or Frame Pressure
Uncomfortable glasses can strain your temples, nose, or ears, causing tension headaches. This makes finding lightweight frames with a proper fit an essential while shopping for new blue light blocking glasses.
You can explore more options by checking out our guides on the best blue light glasses for men and the best blue light glasses for women.
Ways to Reduce Eye Pain While Wearing Blue Light Glasses
If your glasses are causing eye strain or other types of discomfort, these simple strategies can help fix the problem. Let’s take a look:
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Choose the Right Pair for the Right Time
Not every pair of blue light glasses is designed for all day wear. Use lighter filter glasses during the day and stronger filters at night.
Lighter filter lenses (yellow or clear) are best for work hours, while orange or amber-tinted lenses are best for evening use to support melatonin production and overall sleep quality.
That’s why Dream Recovery offers both day and night blue light blocking options to ensure you’re wearing the right pair for the right time of day.
Get your hands on Dream Recovery Blue Light Blocking Glasses now.
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Practice Smart Screen Habits
Taking regular breaks, following the 20-20-20 rule, and maintaining good posture all matter!
Wearing glasses without changing your screen habits can still result in eye strain. So, it’s also a good idea to lower your screen brightness and avoid fluorescent overhead lights whenever possible.
Plus, don’t forget to use night mode features after dark to reduce harsh light exposure.
If you’re a gamer who plays into the evenings, check out the best blue light blocking glasses for gaming.
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Get a Proper Fit and Anti-Glare Coating
Even the best lenses won’t help if the glasses hurt your face or reflect too much light. Look for glasses that are lightweight with flexible arms and that have anti-reflective coatings.
You want glasses that stay in place without pressing too hard on your temples or the bridge of your nose.
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Check Your Prescription
If you need vision correction, there’s also a chance you may have the wrong prescription, which could be behind your discomfort while wearing glasses.
If you’re struggling with headaches, eye fatigue, light sensitivity, and nausea while wearing your corrective lenses, it’s a good idea to check with an eye doctor if your prescription is still correct. This simple solution can provide instant relief!
When to Consult an Eye Care Professional
If the discomfort continues for more than a week or if your symptoms get worse, consult a professional.
You may be dealing with:
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An outdated or incorrect prescription
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Digital eye strain from other sources
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A need for medical treatment, such as artificial tears or dry eye therapy
Make sure to bring your glasses with you to your eye appointment. The optometrist can evaluate whether the lenses or frames are contributing to the problems you’re experiencing.
Stay Comfortable in Your Blue Light Glasses with Dream Recovery
With the right pair of blue light blocking glasses, regular breaks, and smarter screen habits you should see improvements in digital eye strain and the quality of your sleep.
While most new glasses come with an adjustment period, you shouldn’t be experiencing persistent discomfort or eye pain when using a high-quality pair of blue light blocking glasses.
That’s why Dream Recovery offers blue light glasses with premium, third-party tested lenses for either day or night, alongside light weight, flexible frames to prevent discomfort during long term wear.
Find relief with Dream Recovery Blue Light Blocking Glasses.