The Best Blue Light Blocking Glasses for Kids (& Their Grownups)

The Best Blue Light Blocking Glasses for Kids (& Their Grownups)

Let’s face it, we are all living in a digital world––especially lately! With schools switching to distance learning and many parents working from home, we’re all spending a little more time in front of a screen than usual. Rather than deal with tired eyes, protect them with a pair of blue light blocking glasses. This innovative technology help reduce eye strain, keep headaches at bay and will keep your circadian rhythms in place. Keep scrolling to see some of our fave spots to shop for a pair of these must-have glasses.

photo: GUNNAR Optiks

GUNNAR Optiks

GUNNAR Optiks has just released their first kids line, Cruz Kids. Each frame is made from nylon with a hingeless design for tons of flexibility. The Cruz Kids line offers smudge-resistant clear and amber tinted lenses, and every pair comes with a protective case and carrying clip.

Good to know: GUNNAR offers their Cruz Kids line for both prescription and non prescription frames.

Cost: $30 for non prescription glasses, $140+ for prescription

Online: gunnar.com

photo: JINS

Jins

With over 600 frames to choose from, you're bound to find a pair of glasses for the whole family from JINS. Both prescription and non-prescription options are available, in addition to blue light blocking lenses that are great for gamers, professionals and kids who have screen time.

Good to know: Kids boxed blue light glasses come with JINS SCREEN lenses which block 25 percent of blue light. If parents prefer the JINS SCREEN Pro which block 40 percent of blue light, they can add them to any non-boxed frame for an extra $100.

Cost: $80 for blue light blocking glasses, regular frames that can accommodate Pro lenses start at $80

Online: jins.com

photo: CalmOptics

CalmOptics

The original Blue Light Blocking Glasses, CalmOptics believes that healthy eyes make happier kids! Offering styles for kids, teens and adults, the brand offers a lifetime warranty for all glasses ($9.95), with plenty of styles and frequent sales.

Good to Know: Currently, no prescription options are available. Sizes come in kids, teens and adults. 

Cost: Before sales, prices start at $64.99 for kids, $79.99 for teens and $119.99 for adults.

Online: calmoptics.com

photo: Vint & York

Vint & York

Every pair of Vint & York's glasses come with premium lenses and anti-reflective and scratch coating. The uber stylish frames can be tried on virtually, and when you order a pair with Eyefend blue light lenses, you'll also get a blue light testing kit!

Good to know: At the time of publication of this article, Vint & York did not make a kid-sized option, however the company's Petite collection will make a great fit for tweens and teens, as well as adults. 

Cost: Frames start at $94, Eyefend blue light lenses are an additional $50

Why You'll Love Them:  Free shipping and one year limited warranty!

Online: vintandyork.com

photo: Shady Rays

Shady Rays

In addition to making stylish, affordable sunglasses Shady Rays also makes blue-light blocking glasses so attractive you won't want to take them off for your Zoom meetings.

Good to know: At the time of publication of this article Shady Rays did not make a kid-sized option, however these will make a great fit for tweens and teens as well as adults. 

Cost: Most run around $69 with free shipping

Why You'll Love Them: They are guaranteed for life! 

Online at shadyrays.com 

photo: Real Shades

Real Shades

Real Shades has specialized in ophthalmic quality lenses and unbreakable frames for almost 20 years. Their sunglasses lines range from baby to adult, with tons of styles at a great price, and their blue light blocking glasses are no exception. 

Cost: Toddler, kids and youth frames are all $19.95 (with seven color choices) and adults are $29.95 (with three color choices).

Why You'll Love It: Each pair of Real Shades offers 100% UVA/UVB protection, blocks 65% of blue light and comes with shatterproof polycarbonate lenses with unbreakable frames. Available also in adult sizes. 

Online: realshades.com

photo: Jonas Paul Eyewear

Jonas Paul Eyewear

Jonas Paul Eyewear has aimed, and succeeded, at simplifying the glasses frames buying process for families with young kids. They have seven stylish frame shapes to choose from. 

How It Works: After signing up online, for $1, Jonas Paul Eyewear will send you and your kiddo a try-on kit of seven actual pairs to try out over the next week. Once you've had a chance to try them on and decide, you can order the glasses directly on their website. Upload your kiddos prescription and when you get to the "lens option" stage, be sure to select Blue Light Lenses ($69).

Good to know: You will need your kid's PD (pupillary distance) so try to remember to ask the doctor to write it on your prescription. 

Tip: Jonas Paul currently offers two sizes for kids; Small, for ages 4-7 and Large for kids 8-12. They also offer teen sizes. 

Cost: Most frames start at just $79 including prescription lenses; prices can vary based on prescription requirements. 

Why You'll Love Them: For every pair of glasses you buy, Jonas Paul Eyewear helps provide funding to international organizations that are working to end preventable blindness around the world. 

Online: jonaspauleyewear.com

photo: Felix Gray

Felix Gray

This popular eyewear designer known for bringing blue-light protecting glasses to grownups just launched a line for kids. As of June 2019, their kid frames are available in both prescription and non-prescription form in three very stylish styles fit for any face shape. 

How It Works: Choose a pair of frames from their selection online and then upload your prescription. They don't currently offer a try-on kit but their detailed fit guide for kids will help you make sure you're getting the right frame for your little's face.  

Cost: Frames start at $95 and come with blue-light blocking technology regardless of prescription strength. 

Why You'll Love Them: Even kids that don't have a prescription can sport these stylish lenses to cut down on damaging blue light and glare from laptops, tablets and other screens they encounter. 

Online: shopelixgray.com

photo: Fitz Frames

Fitz Frames

Download the Fitz app to your phone or tablet and start shopping for the perfect fitting frame, whether you're looking for blue-light blocking glasses or prescription lenses. You can upload an image of your child and "try on" frames virtually. 

Cost: Starting at $95 for prescriptions, plus $30 for blue-light blocking lenses. There is also a subscription option. 

Why You'll Love It: The glasses are all 3-D printed and made to order! 

Visit online at fitzframes.com 

photo: Pair Eyewear

Pair Eyewear

Pair Eyewear is a just-for-kids eyeglass site that offers the unique feature of being able to swap out the tops of the frames to get a new color without having to get a whole second pair. The base frames are available in three colors, but each base frame can be paired with up to ten top frames in different colors and styles.

How It Works: Log on and order up a free home try-on kit that has cardboard cut-outs of the actual frames. Once you've picked the ones you like, you can upload your prescription and order your glasses. Just select "blue light lenses" ($49) when you get to the proper point during checkout!

Cost: Base frames are $95 each (five styles and three colors to choose from), and each base can be fit with different top frames for $24.95 each (up to ten different colors and styles).

Why You'll Love Them: The kids can get multiple looks without having to have multiple pairs and for every pair purchase, a pair is donated to a kid in need. 

Online: paireyewear.com

Zenni Optical

Zenni has been around for awhile and are a great go-to for glasses, especially for affordable second-pair glasses for active kids or travelers. The site also offers Blokz Blue Blockers that come in virtually clear, photochromatic, sunglasses and Trivex which offers strong impact resistance––aka, perfect for kids. 

How it works: Upload a photo to their website to do a virtual "try-on." You will also need your pupillary distance and accurate measurements. Once you've added an image, you can shop a variety of frames and use the try-on feature to get an idea of how they will look.  

Cost: Frames can cost as little as under $20, and adding Blokz Blue Blockers starts at just $16.95!

Why You'll Love Them: Because they do grown-up sizes, you can do some sweet mommy-and-me or daddy-and-me styling. They also offer an entire selection of teen styles. 

Online: zennioptical.com/

––Amber Guetebier & Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of companies

 

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