Photochromic vs blue cut lenses: which should you choose?
Blue cut (anti blue light) lenses stay clear and filter part of the blue light from phones, laptops and TV. Photochromic lenses are clear indoors and darken outdoors when UV light hits them. Photochromic blue cut lenses do both. Choose blue cut for mostly indoor screen time, photochromic for time in the sun, and photochromic blue cut if your day has both.
What blue cut lenses do
Blue cut lenses, also called anti blue light or blue light filter lenses, have a coating that reflects part of the blue-violet light given off by screens and LED lights. They look clear, with a faint blue or purple reflection on the surface. People mainly choose them for comfort during long hours on a laptop or phone.
What photochromic lenses do
Photochromic lenses react to ultraviolet (UV) light. Indoors they look clear. Step outside into daylight and they darken like sunglasses, then clear again when you go back inside. Ours carry UV400 protection, which blocks UVA and UVB rays.
What photochromic blue cut lenses do
Photochromic blue cut lenses combine both: they filter screen light indoors and darken in the sun outdoors. It is the most complete option if you move between a desk and the outdoors during the day.
Side by side
| Blue cut | Photochromic | Photochromic blue cut | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filters screen light | Yes | No | Yes |
| Darkens in the sun | No | Yes | Yes |
| Clear indoors | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UV400 outdoors | Check the product | Yes | Yes |
Which one should you choose?
- Office work, study or late-night scrolling: blue cut (anti blue light).
- Lots of time outdoors, walking or commuting on foot: photochromic.
- A mix of screens and sun, for example a laptop at work and errands around Lagos: photochromic blue cut.
- You only need to see clearly with your prescription: Clear Lens.
Things worth knowing
- Photochromic lenses darken much less inside a car, because most windscreens block the UV light that triggers them.
- They darken quickly outdoors and take a little longer to clear again indoors.
- In very hot weather, photochromic lenses may not get quite as dark as on a cooler day.
- Blue cut lenses can show a faint blue or purple reflection. That is the coating working and it does not affect your view.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use photochromic lenses for screen work?
Plain photochromic lenses are not made to filter screen light. If you want screen filtering as well as sun protection, choose photochromic blue cut lenses.
Do photochromic lenses work in a car?
Only a little. Most car windscreens block UV light, which is what makes photochromic lenses darken, so they stay fairly light inside a car.
Can I get photochromic blue cut lenses with my prescription?
Yes. Upload your prescription on our Prescription page, choose Photochromic Blue Cut, and we confirm your lenses and price on WhatsApp. Prescription lenses are made through our partner opticians.
