Lenses · Buying decision
Blue-Light Glasses: Do You Need Them, and What Do They Cost in Hanoi?
What the evidence says blue-light lenses do and don't do, who they make sense for, and what they cost at Manh Long Optical, so you can decide before you get to the counter.
Most people don't need blue-light glasses. Current evidence does not show that blue-light filtering lenses reduce eye strain, protect the retina or improve sleep. What they can do is cut glare and reflections from screens, which some heavy screen users find more comfortable. At Manh Long Optical, an Essilor blue-light lens pair at index 1.56 is 1,298,000₫ and a ZEISS ClearView blue-light pair at 1.56 is 1,480,000₫, frame not included.
TL;DR
- Blue-light lenses are optional. They are not a medical treatment and they don't change your prescription.
- The real, everyday benefit is less glare from screens, mostly from the anti-reflective coating that comes with the lens.
- Screen eye strain comes mainly from blinking less while you concentrate, not from blue light itself.
- Prices at 1.56: Essilor 1,298,000₫ and ZEISS 1,480,000₫ per lens pair; a complete pair with a standard lens starts at 850,000₫.
- Non-prescription blue-light lenses are priced as the 1.56 index of each lens line.
- 1,298,000₫
- Essilor Blue UV Capture, index 1.56, lens pair
- 1,480,000₫
- ZEISS ClearView blue-light, index 1.56, lens pair
- 850,000₫
- Complete pair (frame + standard blue-light lens)
- Same day
- Usual turnaround for single vision with a lens in stock
Shop selling prices, September 2026. The final price is confirmed after your eye test, before anything is cut.
In this article
What blue-light lenses actually do
A blue-light lens filters part of the high-energy blue band in visible light. Screens and LED lighting give off some of it, but the sun gives off far more. The lens is sold with an anti-reflective coating, and that coating is what most wearers notice: fewer reflections on the lens and less glare from a bright monitor or phone.
It is a different job from UV protection. UV is invisible and comes from the sun; blue light is part of the light you see. If you want the side-by-side, read blue-light filtering vs UV protection. For how blue-light filtering sits next to anti-reflective and UV coatings, see what each lens coating does.
What the evidence says
The American Academy of Ophthalmology explains that tired eyes at a screen come mostly from blinking less while concentrating, and it has found no scientific evidence that blue light from screens damages the eyes. A 2023 Cochrane systematic review found no evidence that blue-light filtering lenses reduce eye strain from screens, and no clear effect on sleep or on the health of the retina.
Buy blue-light lenses for glare comfort if you want it, not as protection for your eyes.
What helps screen eye strain more reliably: taking regular breaks and wearing an up-to-date prescription. An out-of-date prescription makes you work harder at every distance, with or without a blue-light filter.
Who they make sense for
Who it may suit
- People at a computer most of the working day, including remote workers and digital nomads
- Anyone bothered by glare or reflections on their lenses under office lighting
- People already buying new lenses, where the price step is small
Who may not need it
- People who rarely use screens
- Anyone hoping it will fix tired eyes, headaches or sleep
- Anyone whose main need is sun protection outdoors
If you spend long days on screens and also want a lens designed around screen distances, Essilor Eyezen is a separate option; see Essilor Eyezen for heavy screen use.
What they cost at Manh Long Optical
Swipe the table sideways to see all columns →
| Option | What you get | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Standard blue-light lens | Complete pair: frame + lens (not a branded lens) | from 850,000₫ |
| Essilor Blue UV Capture 1.56 | Lens pair only, frame not included | 1,298,000₫ |
| ZEISS ClearView blue-light 1.56 | Lens pair only, frame not included | 1,480,000₫ |
Shop selling prices, September 2026. Higher indices cost more; the index-by-index list is on Essilor vs ZEISS.
Without a prescription, blue-light lenses are priced as the 1.56 index of each lens line. We can also fit new lenses into a frame you already own, and the fitting itself is free; you pay for the lenses. Single-vision lenses in stock are usually ready the same day. Warranty: one-for-one exchange within 1 month if the product is defective.
Children and screens
There is no good evidence that blue-light lenses protect children's eyes or reduce strain either; the Cochrane review above covered adults. What matters more is limiting screen time, regular breaks and a proper eye test if a child squints, rubs their eyes or holds a tablet very close. If a child already wears glasses and a parent wants the glare benefit, a blue-light lens can be added to the prescription. For children who are becoming short-sighted, read choosing glasses for nearsighted children.
How to decide
- If screens rarely bother youSkip it; a standard lens with anti-reflective coating is enough
- If glare from screens or office lights bothers youA blue-light lens with anti-reflective coating
- If you want a branded lens at the lowest priceEssilor Blue UV Capture 1.56, 1,298,000₫
- If you prefer ZEISSZEISS ClearView blue-light 1.56, 1,480,000₫
- If your eyes are tired at every distanceGet your prescription checked first
FAQ
Do blue-light glasses reduce eye strain?
The evidence says no. A 2023 Cochrane review found no evidence that blue-light filtering lenses reduce eye strain from screens. Breaks and an up-to-date prescription help more.
How much are blue-light lenses at Manh Long Optical?
At index 1.56, Essilor Blue UV Capture is 1,298,000₫ and ZEISS ClearView blue-light is 1,480,000₫ per lens pair, frame not included. A complete pair with a standard blue-light lens starts at 850,000₫.
Can I get blue-light lenses without a prescription?
Yes. Non-prescription blue-light lenses are priced as the 1.56 index of each lens line.
Can I wear blue-light glasses all day?
Yes. Wearing them all day does no harm; they are simply optional.
Can you put blue-light lenses in my own frame?
Yes. Fitting new lenses into a frame you bring is free; you pay for the lenses. Staff check the frame first.
Do blue-light lenses change my prescription?
No. The filter is a lens feature, not a treatment, and it has no effect on short-sightedness.
One thing to remember
A blue-light lens is a comfort choice for glare, not eye protection; an up-to-date prescription matters more.
A note on health: This article is general information, not medical advice. If you have sudden changes in vision, eye pain or persistent headaches, see an eye doctor.
Sources
- Medical bodyAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology — Are Computer Glasses Worth It?. Screen eye strain comes mostly from reduced blinking.
- Systematic reviewCochrane Library (2023) — Blue-light filtering spectacle lenses for visual performance, sleep, and macular health in adults. No evidence of reduced eye strain.
- Business infoPrices, turnaround and warranty from Manh Long Optical's selling price list, confirmed by the owner in September 2026.