Bryan Johnson's orange glasses flight hack has been approved by an optometrist - here's what they do

An optometrist has shed light on whether tinted glasses really work, after Bryan Johnson issued a warning against the dangers of air travel.

In case you missed it, the biohacker recently claimed that 'international travel increases ageing' following a 17-hour flight to Australia.

For the unacquainted, Johnson is a man on a mission to reverse the ageing process through a series of unorthodox procedures, including injecting himself with his son's blood and taking psychedelics.

Now, he's warning people about the alleged health risks associated with flying, from memory shrinkage and depression to a weaker immune system.

On X, he shared: "Modern life has tricked us into thinking travel is good. It's kind of barbaric for the body.

"Last time I went to Asia we measured my biomarkers. The data was bad… + 9 days for blood glucose stability + 9 days to re-entrain my circadian rhythm + 18 days for sleep architecture recovery."

In a photograph of Johnson and his partner Kate Tolo, the pair can be seen wearing tinted glasses on the flight, which are said to promote sleep and help reduce jet lag.

As per his website, Johnson recommends using red and amber lights in the evening to promote a better night's sleep.

"Blue light is bad for sleep," the website reads. "You can get blue light blocking apps, glasses and also turn red mode on your phone."

But do they really work?

"Orange, red or amber-tinted lenses can help to support melatonin production to promote sleep because melatonin, the hormone that signals to the body it’s time to sleep, is suppressed by light," Tuija Kankaanpaa, Head of Optometry at Tom Davies, explains.

"Blue light, commonly found on phone and tablet screens and in plane cabin lighting, is a particular culprit if you're struggling to sleep.

"Red or amber lenses can help to filter up to 100 percent of blue light before it reaches the eye, thereby reducing the suppression of melatonin and allowing the body’s natural wind-down process to continue more normally.

"So, wearing them at the airport and on the plane itself can make it easier to fall asleep and support the body in shifting its internal clock towards the destination time zone."

However, Kankaanpaa emphasises that red light glasses are simply an aid, not a cure.

"Avoiding blue light, and especially limiting screen use, will always do more than any tinted lenses," Kankaanpaa adds. "It's also worth adding that a distinct red tint impairs colour accuracy and should never be used for driving or when you need see colours accurately."

What to look for when buying orange light glasses

There are a number of orange or red glasses on the market, depending on your budget.

But it's important to keep a few things in mind before heading to the checkout.

"When buying glasses with red or amber lenses, always check the degree of blue light blocked, the optical quality of the lens, and the fit," Kankaanpaa advises.

"A genuine amber or orange tint that visibly changes how colours look will block far more blue light than the very pale, almost clear lenses often marketed as 'blue light glasses', which filter only a small percentage and do little to improve sleep.

"Beyond that, look for good optical clarity with no distortion, and a wraparound or close fitting frame so light does not enter around the edges of the lens."

She warns that these glasses can be an excellent sleep or travel aid but are not a substitute for an eye test. If you are concerned about eye strain or sleep issues, please contact your GP.

Shop our top pick of orange and red light glasses: