A pediatrician friend asked me about computer glasses. She’s seen ads for them online and her patients’ parents have asked if she recommends them. I have also been asked about pinhole glasses. Do these work? Here are the facts.

Should I Use Computer Glasses? The short answer is no.

Computer glasses reportedly filter out blue light or ultraviolet (UV) radiation from our monitors. The assertion is that the UV causes eye strain, sleep disruption and even damage to the macula (the part of the eye responsible for central vision), eventually leading to vision loss.

UV radiation, specifically UVA and UVB, are present in sunlight and can really damage our skin and eyes (see my recent article) with prolonged and direct exposure. Supposedly, computer glasses protect us from this type of radiation, however, a study showed that computers and gadget screens do not emit either UVA or UVB. No UVA and/or UVB, then no need for computer glasses.

How about pinhole glasses do they improve vision? Yes but only in a short term and limited way.

With the pinhole glasses on, the vision improves among those with errors of refraction because it “removes distractions”: the scattered light entering the eye is canceled and this helps the person focus and see more clearly. Imagine dinner with your family: the TV is blaring, someone rings the doorbell, your daughter is sharing a story while utensils clang on the plates. When you remove all the other noises, you hear your daughter better. Her voice is louder but not necessarily clearer. That’s how the pinhole glasses work, by limiting your view and focusing on a small area.

Ophthalmologists have a tool, the pinhole, very similar to these pinhole glasses, that detects a refractive problem, but does not fix it. Pinhole glasses do not correct errors of refraction, it can even obscure the wearer’s peripheral vision, like a horse with blinders.

If you have pressing eye concerns, consult your ophthalmologist online today.