In today's time, the average American kid to adult screen watch time is more than 4 hours, whether it's on a computer, mobile device, tablet, or TV. Many of us spend hours in front of these screens daily, from kids playing video games to adults working on their computers.
But with all this screen time, our eyes can take a hit and face multiple eye-related issues in a long time. The major problem is that blue light and UV radiation from these screens can cause eye strain, headaches, and even mess with your sleep.
To protect the eyes, two types of eyeglasses have become famous: gaming glasses and blue light glasses. Both glasses are specially designed to reduce the harmful effects of screen exposure, but what's the real difference between them? Which type will do the best job of keeping your eyes safe? Let's break down the details in a way that's easy to understand.
What Are Gaming Glasses?
Gaming glasses are designed for gamers who love to play video games for hours at a time. The average American teenager or adult spends around 180 min with game who play games online.
In our gaming glasses, frames and lenses are built to help reduce eye strain during even play long hours of gaming sessions, and they come with a few key features:
- Tinted lenses: Gaming glasses often come with yellow or amber-coloured lenses, which is their identity. These tints help filter out blue light and improve game colour contrast, which is the harsh light that can damage your eyes over time.
- Anti-reflective coating: Coating is necessary because it reduces your screen's glare, making it easier to see and more comfortable on your eyes.
- Slight magnification: Many gaming glasses have a small amount of magnification, but with sight glass, that is not which can help make things on the screen more transparent, reducing eye strain.
- Comfortable design: Gaming glasses with comfort is like a friendly combination gamers want, usually lightweight and ergonomic, meaning they are comfortable to wear for long periods without disturbing their focus from the game. They also often have a wraparound design to fully protect your eyes and prevent them from drying out during extended play.
Gamers spend hours in front of the high levels of bright screens, some of which set monitor screen brightness in the top, which can lead to severe eye fatigue. By wearing gaming glasses, they can filter out harmful light, reduce headaches, and improve their sleep if they play games late into the night.
What Are Blue Light Glasses?
Blue light glasses, sometimes called computer glasses and used reading glasses some people read online books, etc, are for anyone who spends a lot of time in front of screens, not just gamers they can buy it blue light glasses.
Blue light glasses are designed to block blue light from any digital device ultimately and give rest full comfort during computer time, smartphones, tablets, etc. Mentions A few key features of blue light glasses include:
- Special lens coating: Just like gaming glasses, coating also comes in blue light glasses, which have a coating that blocks some of the blue light emitted by screens.
- Clear or lightly tinted lenses: Most blue light glasses have clear lenses, making them perfect for everyday wear. Some may have a slight tint, but nothing as noticeable as gaming glasses.
- Stylish frame options: Blue light glasses frames come in a wide variety of designs for both men and women, as well as for kids, from casual to professional, so you can find a pair that matches your personal style.
- Anti-reflective coating: Many blue light glasses also come with an anti-reflective coating, reducing glare from digital screens.
Blue light glasses are handy for people who work long hours on their computers, like office workers, coders, graphic designers and students.
By blocking some of the blue light, blue light glasses can reduce eye strain and headaches while also helping you sleep better at night if you use screens before bed.
How Do Blue Light and Gaming Glasses Compare?
Both blue light and gaming glasses are designed to filter out blue light, but they differ in how they are made and what they are best used for. Let's compare them based on a few essential features:
| Feature | Gaming Glasses | Blue Light Glasses |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Light Filtration | 65-100% | 30-65% |
| UV Protection | Often includes UV400 protection | May or may not include UV protection |
| Visual Clarity | May alter color perception | Generally maintains true color perception |
| Comfort for Extended Use | Designed for long gaming sessions | Suitable for all-day wear |
| Style Options | Limited styles, focus on functionality | Wide range of fashionable options |
| Price Range | $50-$150 | $20-$100 |
| Intended Use | Primarily for gaming and intense screen use | General digital device use in various settings |
| Lens Tint | Usually yellow or amber | Clear or slightly tinted |
| Frame Design | Often wraparound for full protection | Various designs available |
| Magnification | Slight magnification is common | Usually no magnification |
How Are They Similar?
Both gaming and blue light glasses serve a similar purpose: blocking out blue light UV and help protect your eyes. The blue light emitted from LED screens is harmful because it mimics daylight, which tricks your brain into thinking it's daytime, which means wearing blue light or gaming games on casual or daytime is perfectly okay.
Lenses in both types of glasses work by filtering out blue light wavelengths. While the lenses in gaming glasses are often more tinted (yellow or amber) to enhance contrast in video games, blue light glasses typically come with clear or slightly tinted lenses, perfect for everyday activities.
These glasses will partially block out blue light, but they do block a significant portion of it. Doing so helps your body return to its natural rhythm, reduces eye strain, and lets you focus better during screen time.
How Are They Different?
The main difference between gaming and blue light glasses is design and purpose. Gaming glasses are made with gamers in mind, which means they focus on comfort during long hours of play.
The wraparound design helps block out light from all angles, and the slight magnification reduces eye strain by making the screen appear more transparent.
On the other hand, blue light glasses are designed for general use, whether working at a desk, using your phone, or watching TV. They are often more stylish and can be worn in professional settings without standing out too much.
Blue light glasses focus more on blocking harmful light without distorting the colours on your screen, which can be necessary for activities like graphic design or watching movies.
What Should You Look For?
When choosing between gaming glasses and blue light glasses, consider what you need them for:
- If you're a gamer, gaming glasses are probably your best bet. They are designed to enhance your gaming experience by reducing glare, filtering out more blue light, and providing maximum comfort.
- Blue light glasses might be the better option if you use screens for work or everyday activities. They are more versatile and often come in less noticeable styles, making them ideal for use in various settings.
No matter which type of glasses you choose ensure they have the right features. Both gaming and blue light glasses should have an anti-reflective coating, proper blue light-blocking lenses, and a frame that fits comfortably.
Final Thoughts on Choosing the Right Glasses
Both gaming and blue light glasses are excellent options for protecting your eyes from the harmful effects of screen time. You can choose the pair that best fits your lifestyle by understanding the critical differences between the two.
