Do I Need a Blue Light Filter? Honest Advice from an Optician in Berlin

Few lens extras are asked about as often as the blue light filter. Many people believe the blue light from screens damages their eyes. Here I want to explain honestly what we actually know – and who really benefits from a blue light filter.

Does blue light damage your eyes?

Based on current knowledge: no. There is no scientific evidence that blue light from screens harms the eyes. For comparison, outdoors we get many times more blue light from the sun than from any screen.

What blue light really does: it keeps you awake

Blue light tells your body that it is daytime. If you look at screens a lot in the evening, you often feel tired later and fall asleep less easily. This is where a blue light filter can help. So I mainly recommend it to people who use screens a lot in the evening and have trouble falling asleep – or who simply notice that it helps them.

What about tired eyes at the screen?

With a filter, the light may feel a little softer. But tired eyes usually have other causes: long screen time without breaks, or an uncorrected vision problem such as astigmatism, hyperopia or myopia. That is why, in this case, I recommend an eye test first.

Synchrony or ZEISS BlueGuard – what's the difference?

• Synchrony blue light filter (€19 per pair of lenses): The filter is in the coating and reflects blue light. That is why you see a bluish reflection on the lens.
• ZEISS BlueGuard (€29 per pair of lenses): Here the protection is built into the lens material itself and absorbs the blue light. The typical shiny blue reflection is much weaker.

With both, things look very slightly yellowish through the lens – in everyday life you barely notice it.

My tip for video calls: Does the shiny blue reflection on your glasses bother you when you see yourself on camera? Then I really recommend ZEISS BlueGuard.

Tips without new lenses

• Turn on night mode on your phone, tablet and computer in the evening.
• During long screen work, take short breaks regularly and look into the distance.
• Ideally, put your phone away for a while before going to bed.

Come and see me

Not sure whether a blue light filter makes sense for you? I'm happy to advise you in person – and if your eyes get tired quickly at the screen, we'll first do an eye test to find out why. The blue light filter is also available for stock lenses. You can find all prices in our price list.

OPTIK FUJIYAMA · Emdener Str. 3, 10551 Berlin-Moabit · Eye tests also without an appointment