"Computer Glasses" for Eye Fatigue/Strain

Source: I worked as an optician and as an optical lab technician for three years in three different opticals.

1. I'd get an eye exam just in case. Your vision probably isn't perfect. You might have +/- 0.25 to 0.50 spherical Rx in one eye or both. You might have mild astigmatism, as almost everyone who wears glasses does. You might not have any near or shortsightedness, but do have mild astigmatism that causes your eyes to strain harder than they should have to, which is exacerbated by staring at a screen at close range for extended periods of time.

2. Even if you do not need any Rx correction, the big thing with screen usage is glare. I don't care how sweet your screen is; anti-reflective lens treatment will help you to see better and your eyes will not have to strain as hard. You will also see dramatic improvements in nighttime vision, especially while driving.

I've worked or U.S. Vision (JCPenney), Luxottica (LensCrafters & Sears), and EyeMasters (VisionWorks).

LensCrafters is by far the most overpriced optical around. You will pay literally twice as much for the same product that Sears Optical sells. And they hire people with no experience who are very pushy and generally don't know shit about shit. I'd recommend VisionWorks. They have the cheapest eye exams.

Do check which opticals your insurance works with though because the eye exam will be either $10 or free. Vision insurance is overall a massive ripoff because every optical always has in-house promotions that get you your glasses for the same price as if you use insurance. The only place it saves you cash is on exams and contacts, but not nearly enough to justify the insurance payments. If your employer provides it for free though, great. But as an employer, I'd much rather just reimburse you than pay for and deal with insurance companies.

Also, don't bother submitting to insurance companies for reimbursement. It is way more trouble than it's worth and they will argue with you and ask for your long-form birth certificate before they pay you. Just find an optical that bills them directly.

As for lenses, do not get polycarbonate. It has a lower index of refraction than CR-39 plastic or hi-index. If you have a basic Rx, get plastic. If you want the thinnest possible, get hi-index. Trivex is also great if you have a (-) sphere Rx.

TL;DR: Go see an eye doctor. They will do an Rx check. If you need glasses, get them. Even i you don't, get a pair with just anti-reflective coating. Make sure that it's a hard coating (such as VisionWorks' ClearShield) and not the shitty spray-on stuff that smudges all day and becomes damaged easily.

Let me know if you have questions.