The average gamer plays 7.6 hours a week, a hobby that exposes the eyes to considerable damage. In an intervention study, just one hour of smartphone gaming resulted in increased symptoms of dry eye and a reduced blink rate from 20.8 to only 8.9 blinks per minute. However, a third factor that can compromise eye protection for avid gamers is increased exposure to blue light.
Blue light has a shorter wavelength, so its focus is not in the retina’s center but instead in front of it. Thus, long periods of exposure to blue light may cause a worsening of visual fatigue, leading to nearsightedness. A 2021 meta-analysis of over 3,000 studies found that there is a significant association between screen time and myopia among the youth. Blue light glasses serve as a protective shield against this light type and provide various benefits for screen-heavy users like gamers. Here are a few of those benefits:
Greater gaming comfort
Story-rich RPGs can take several weeks’ worth of gameplay: for instance, it will take you 140 hours of gameplay to complete the newly-released, award-winning Baldur’s Gate 3. On average, gamers are spending over five hours per day to beat it. Extensive exposure to blue light, one of the highest-energy wavelengths that tends to flicker a lot more, can result in eye strain and visual discomfort that negatively affects your gaming experience. Blue light glasses alleviate this discomfort, meaning your eyes don’t have to work as hard, so you can play longer. That said, we still recommend not going overboard.
Improved text and contrast perception
Some games are more narrative-heavy than others, and if you’re a gamer who prefers subtitles during cutscenes – especially for dialogue-driven titles like Disco Elysium or the Ace Attorney series – it’s vital to maximize text and color visibility. One of the advantages of wearing blue light glasses is its ability to minimize screen glare and unwanted reflections that could make it hard to read text. By wearing lenses treated with this coating, the text will appear to “pop” from the screen, allowing you to read more easily. KODA UVBlue lenses provide a greater contrast for improved color recognition and depth perception so you can strategize efficiently, whether a turn-based game or an all-out battle setup.
Enhanced colors
Games aren’t just meant to be finished; they’re meant to be savored, primarily when graphic designers and animators have worked hard to create an open world rife with possibilities. The much-anticipated 2025 release of Grand Theft Auto VIÂ will be set in a fictionalized version of Florida, featuring the coastal state’s signature breathtaking colors and views that will make for many hours of delicious gameplay. You want the best possible viewing experience without compromising eye protection, which is where blue light glasses come in handy. Lenses treated with Eyesafe RPF60 technology filter 60% of blue light while preserving beautiful color. The ZAGG XTR3Â screen protector, which comes with Eyesafe technology, can be installed on your phone to protect from blue light while enhancing the luminance of your mobile game.
The future of glasses in gaming remains bright: in 2020, we talked about a rumored release of Apple’s augmented-reality glasses. Fast-forward to today, and Apple is gearing up to release the Vision Pro in retail stores. But when it comes to eye protection, you need only to stick to the basics. With a pair of blue light-filtering glasses, you can maximize your gaming experience while keeping your eyes safe from the harmful effects of blue light.