Can a blue light filter have prescription?
Yes. An optician can apply a filter to your prescription lenses, either as a coating or as a tint in the glass. This gives you both prescription and filter in one pair of glasses, which is the only practical solution if you wear glasses all day.
The question is not whether it's possible, but whether it will solve something for you. That depends on what complaint you have and whether your prescription is correct.
Coating or tint, what's the difference?
A coating is on the surface of the lens and generally filters a limited amount of blue light. A tint is integrated into the lens and can filter more, but also discolors your vision more.
| Coating | Tint in the lens | |
|---|---|---|
| Filtering power | Limited | Stronger, up to yellow or orange |
| Visible | Slight reflection | Clearly colored lens |
| Suitable for daytime | Yes | Only the lightest variants |
| Suitable for evening | Limited | Yes |
What a stronger tint does to your color perception, and why that's a real consideration, is explained in which lens color for the evening.
When is it worthwhile?
If you have a prescription and your complaints still occur after correcting it. If your prescription is incorrect, you're solving the wrong problem with a filter.
That's the most common mistake. Tired eyes from screen work are more often caused by an uncorrected prescription than by light, as we explain in tired eyes from computer work.
Will your employer contribute?
If it concerns prescription computer glasses and an eye examination shows that regular glasses are not sufficient, your employer is obliged to contribute. The filter itself is usually not separately covered.
How this arrangement works exactly and what the conditions are, is explained in computer glasses reimbursement.
What if you don't need a prescription?
Then ready-made glasses are cheaper and immediately available, and you can test whether a filter works for you without a large investment.
Our FOCUS with clear lenses is designed for this. If you notice a difference, you'll know that the investment in prescription lenses is worthwhile. If you don't notice anything, you've saved yourself an expensive process.
This article is intended as an explanation, not as medical advice. For persistent complaints or blurred vision, an optician or ophthalmologist is the appropriate address.
