Computer, smartphone, tablet, television, video calls: screens now occupy a major place in our daily lives. Work, leisure, shopping, reading, browsing, professional or personal exchanges: our eyes are working for long hours, often at close distances and in variable lighting conditions.
This prolonged exposure can cause a feeling of visual fatigue, dry eyes, blur, headaches or tension at the end of the day. This is often referred to as digital eye strain or screen-related visual discomfort.
Glasses for screens can provide greater comfort, but they must be well chosen. The most important thing is not just blue light: correction, anti-reflective coating, posture, working distance, lighting and visual habits all play an essential role.
At OLIVIA BALM, we support every wearer in choosing equipment suited to their real-life use of screens, with an approach that is at once optical, aesthetic and functional.
Why do screens tire the eyes?
Screens don't tire the eyes purely because of their brightness. Visual fatigue is often linked to an accumulation of factors.
When you work on a screen for a long time, your eyes have to maintain a close or intermediate focus for an extended period. They move frequently between the screen, the keyboard, documents, the phone and the environment around you.
At the same time, blinking often decreases in front of a screen. This can encourage a feeling of dryness, stinging or irritation.
Fatigue can also be made worse by:
- an unsuitable visual correction;
- uncorrected or poorly corrected astigmatism;
- early presbyopia;
- a screen that is too close or too high;
- poor lighting;
- stray reflections;
- excessive brightness;
- prolonged screen time without a break;
- an uncomfortable working posture.
What are the symptoms of screen-related visual fatigue?
The most common signs are:
- tired eyes;
- a burning or stinging sensation;
- dry eyes;
- temporary blurred vision;
- difficulty refocusing;
- headaches;
- heavy eyelids;
- sensitivity to reflections;
- neck pain or tension in the shoulders;
- fatigue at the end of the day.
If these symptoms are frequent or persistent, it is advisable to have your vision checked and to assess your working conditions.
Are glasses for screens really useful?
Yes, they can be useful when they meet a real need.
A good pair of glasses for screens can:
- correct imperfect vision;
- reduce the focusing effort;
- limit stray reflections;
- improve comfort in front of the computer;
- encourage a more natural posture;
- reduce fatigue in intermediate vision;
- improve sharpness on screen.
On the other hand, glasses for screens should not be reduced to a simple anti-blue-light filter. For many wearers, the anti-reflective coating, the exact correction and the choice of a lens suited to the working distance are more important.
Blue light: what really needs to be understood?
Blue light is part of the light spectrum. It is naturally present in daylight and also emitted in smaller amounts by screens.
There are different types of blue light. Some wavelengths are involved in alertness and the sleep-wake cycle. This is why significant exposure to screens in the evening can disrupt falling asleep for some people, especially if brightness is high and use continues late into the night.
On the other hand, visual discomfort in front of screens is not caused solely by blue light. It is often more linked to prolonged visual effort, reflections, dry eyes, posture and an unsuitable correction.
A selective blue light filter can be of interest for certain uses, but it does not replace a good correction, a quality anti-reflective coating and good screen habits.
Anti-reflective coating: indispensable for screens
Anti-reflective coating is one of the most important coatings for people who work on screens.
It helps reduce the stray reflections caused by:
- screens;
- artificial lighting;
- windows;
- desk lamps;
- shiny surfaces;
- night driving.
An anti-reflective lens offers better transparency, greater aesthetic comfort and sharper vision in many situations.
For everyday use in front of a computer, it is generally recommended to favour a quality anti-reflective coating rather than a simple untreated lens.
Correction and screens: why a standard prescription isn't always enough
A prescription indicates your correction, but it doesn't always describe your working conditions precisely.
Yet screens are often at an intermediate distance: around 50 to 80 cm for a computer, closer for a smartphone, sometimes further away for a secondary screen or in a meeting room.
This distance is not exactly distance vision, nor classic near vision. This is why some people may feel discomfort in front of the computer even though their glasses are suited to driving or reading.
An optician should therefore ask you about:
- the number of hours spent in front of a screen;
- the distance between your eyes and your computer;
- the number of screens used;
- the size of the screen;
- your posture;
- your age;
- your correction;
- whether or not presbyopia is present;
- your symptoms at the end of the day.
This information makes it possible to choose equipment that is genuinely suitable.
Which types of lenses to choose for screens?
Single-vision lenses with anti-reflective coating
These can suit people who are not presbyopic or wearers who need a simple correction for the screen.
They correct a single main distance and can be combined with a quality anti-reflective coating.
Lenses with a selective blue light filter
These filter part of the blue light emitted by light sources and screens. They can be useful for certain wearers who are sensitive to brightness or who work for a long time in a digital environment.
They should, however, be presented as a comfort option, not as a single solution to visual fatigue.
Near-vision lenses or office lenses
These are particularly interesting for presbyopic people or those who work for a long time at the computer.
These lenses are designed to improve near and intermediate vision. They allow you to see the screen, the keyboard, documents and the nearby office environment comfortably.
They don't necessarily replace varifocal lenses for driving or distance vision, but they can be very comfortable at work.
Varifocal lenses suited to screens
Some varifocal lenses offer better management of intermediate vision. They can suit wearers who want a versatile pair for the day.
For intensive computer use, however, a dedicated complementary pair can provide greater comfort.
Office lenses: the ideal solution for long days at the computer?
Office lenses are designed for near and intermediate distances.
They generally allow you to see:
- a document on the desk;
- a keyboard;
- a computer screen;
- a colleague a few metres away;
- the immediate working environment.
They are particularly suited to presbyopic people who spend several hours a day in front of a screen.
Their main advantage is to offer a wider, more comfortable field of vision at mid-distance than a standard varifocal lens.
They can help adopt a more natural posture, because the wearer doesn't need to tilt their head up excessively to find the right viewing zone.
Glasses for screens and posture: an often overlooked link
A poor correction or an unsuitable lens can lead to poor posture.
For example, a wearer of varifocal lenses may tend to lift their chin to find the intermediate zone of their lens. In the long term, this can cause neck tension or shoulder pain.
Equipment dedicated to screens can improve posture by placing the zone of sharpness in the right spot according to the height and distance of the screen.
The ergonomics of the workstation are therefore just as important as the choice of lens.
How to set up your workstation properly?
A few simple adjustments can improve visual comfort.
Place the screen at the right distance
The screen should generally be at a comfortable distance, often around an arm's length, depending on its size and your correction.
Avoid a screen that is too high
The top of the screen should ideally be slightly below eye level. This helps keep a more relaxed posture.
Reduce reflections
Avoid placing the screen facing a window or with your back to a light source that is too strong. Reflections force the eyes to work harder.
Adjust the brightness
The screen's brightness should be consistent with that of the room. A screen that is too bright in a dark room can heighten discomfort.
Enlarge the characters
Text that is too small increases visual effort. Slightly increasing the display size can reduce fatigue.
The visual-break rule
When you work on a screen for a long time, breaks are essential.
A simple method is to take a short visual break regularly: look away from the screen, gaze into the distance, deliberately blink and relax your posture.
The aim is to reduce the accommodation effort, limit dry eyes and relax your gaze.
Even with very good glasses, breaks remain important.
Should you wear glasses for screens without a correction?
It depends.
If you don't need a correction, glasses with an anti-reflective coating or a selective filter can sometimes provide a subjective comfort, particularly in a bright environment or in front of a screen for long periods.
But if you feel regular fatigue, it is best to check your vision first. Slight long-sightedness, astigmatism or early presbyopia can cause significant discomfort in front of a screen, even if vision seems fine day to day.
The most important thing is therefore to identify the real cause of the discomfort.
Glasses for screens and presbyopia
From the age of 40 to 45, near and intermediate vision can become more demanding.
A presbyopic person may be comfortable in distance vision but struggle to read or work at the computer.
In this case, several solutions exist:
- reading glasses;
- varifocal lenses;
- near-vision lenses;
- office lenses;
- a complementary pair dedicated to work.
The right choice depends on the time spent on a screen, the working distance and whether or not you need to see into the distance with the same pair.
Glasses for screens and children: vigilance and common sense
For children, screen use should be supervised with care.
Visual fatigue can be linked to the time spent in front of screens, but also to an undetected correction, a binocular vision disorder or poor posture habits.
It is important to make sure to:
- limit prolonged sessions;
- encourage breaks;
- favour outdoor activities;
- watch for signs of fatigue;
- consult an eye-care professional if in doubt.
Optical equipment should never replace a full analysis of the child's vision.
When to seek advice for discomfort in front of screens?
It is advisable to have your vision checked if you regularly experience:
- headaches;
- blurred vision;
- difficulty concentrating;
- intense visual fatigue;
- significant dryness;
- double vision;
- a need to squint;
- discomfort at the end of the day;
- pain around the eyes;
- a recent change in vision.
A check makes it possible to determine whether the discomfort comes from an insufficient correction, an ergonomics problem, dry eyes or another factor.
In the event of pain, a sudden drop in vision, persistent double vision or an unusual symptom, it is important to consult a health professional quickly.
How to choose your glasses for screens?
To choose glasses suited to screens, several criteria need to be taken into account.
Your correction
Even a small correction can have a significant impact in front of a screen, because the eyes remain engaged for a long time at a fixed distance.
Your age
Presbyopia changes near and intermediate vision needs. It strongly influences the choice of lens.
Your screen time
Someone who spends two hours a day at the computer doesn't have the same needs as someone who works at it for eight.
Your working distance
A laptop, a large fixed screen, a tablet and a smartphone are not viewed at the same distance.
Your posture
The height of the screen, the position of the chair and the distance to the desk influence comfort.
Your sensitivity to reflections
Some people are very bothered by reflections and artificial lighting. A quality anti-reflective coating is then particularly useful.
Your aesthetic needs
Glasses for screens can also be elegant, light and suited to your style. Visual comfort should not rule out the pleasure of wearing a beautiful frame.
Mistakes to avoid
Buying glasses for screens without checking your correction
A filter will not make up for an unsuitable correction.
Thinking that blue light explains all fatigue
Visual fatigue is multifactorial. Reflections, dryness, posture and correction often play a major role.
Neglecting the anti-reflective coating
For screens, the anti-reflective coating is often more useful day to day than a mere marketing argument.
Using reading glasses for the computer without advice
Reading glasses are designed for a short distance. They are not always suited to a screen placed further away.
Keeping a poorly set-up workstation
Even with good lenses, a poorly positioned screen can continue to cause tension.
Our optician's advice
To choose your glasses for screens well, start by analysing a typical day.
Ask yourself:
- How many hours do you spend on a screen?
- Do you work on a laptop or a fixed screen?
- Do you use several screens?
- Do you feel discomfort rather in the morning or in the evening?
- Do you have headaches?
- Do you already wear glasses?
- Are you presbyopic?
- Is your screen well positioned?
These answers make it possible to choose between a simple anti-reflective coating, a lens with a selective filter, a near-vision lens or a full office pair.
Conclusion: the best glasses for screens are the ones that match your uses
Glasses for screens should not be chosen solely on the promise of a filter. To be effective, they must match your correction, your age, your posture, your working distance and your exposure time.
Good equipment can improve sharpness, reduce reflections, encourage better posture and provide real comfort during long digital days.
At OLIVIA BALM, we support you in choosing glasses for screens that are elegant, comfortable and suited to your professional or personal daily life.
Frequently asked questions
Do anti-blue-light glasses protect the eyes?
They filter part of the blue light, but screen-related visual fatigue doesn't come solely from blue light. Correction, reflections, dry eyes, breaks and ergonomics are essential.
Are glasses for screens useful without a correction?
They can provide comfort for some people, but it is best to first check that there isn't a small undetected correction.
Which coating to choose for working at the computer?
A quality anti-reflective coating is strongly recommended. Depending on your needs, a selective blue light filter or an office lens may also be advised.
Are varifocal lenses suited to the computer?
Yes, but for intensive use, near-vision lenses or office lenses may be more comfortable.
Why do I get a headache in front of the computer?
The causes can be multiple: unsuitable correction, astigmatism, early presbyopia, a poorly placed screen, reflections, dry eyes or prolonged screen time.
How often should you take visual breaks?
It is advisable to take short breaks regularly to look into the distance, blink and relax your posture. These breaks complement the effectiveness of glasses.
Going further
Do you work several hours a day on a screen and feel visual fatigue?
Book an appointment in the shop in Lyon →
Varifocal lenses: full guide →