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Introduction:
Blue light is a part of the visible light spectrum. It belongs to the high-energy part of the spectrum. Blue light is emitted from a number of natural and artificial sources. Natural source of blue light is the sun. Artificial sources include screens of computers (desktop and laptop), mobiles, tablets, e-readers, televisions, and other digital devices. It is a very well established fact that blue light interferes with normal sleeping patterns and results in a poor quality and duration of sleep. Furthermore, blue light has the potential to cause eye damage in the form of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). For a detailed article on the health effects of blue light including measures to reduce this hazard, click here.
Recently, evidence is emerging that blue light may also play a part in the development of a condition called ‘digital eye strain’ or ‘computer vision syndrome’. This condition is characterized by eye pain and fatigue, watering of eyes, redness of eyes, and other symptoms. For a detailed article on digital eye strain and measures to reduce it, click here.
There are a number of interventions that can help to reduce the effects due to digital device use. One of them is usage of blue light blocking glasses. These glasses are more commonly known as ‘computer glasses‘ or ‘gaming glasses‘. Here, we will compare the blue light blocking glasses available on the Amazon store.
Before we get into the comparison, it is important to discuss a few aspects about these blue light blockers…
Low versus high blocking anti-blue light glasses
Some brands offer both low and high blocking variants, while others offer only a low or high variant. Low blocking anti-blue light glasses usually have clear or transparent lens. On the other hand, high blocking anti-blue light glasses have lenses with an orange or amber tint. People involved in work requiring color discrimination would need to go with the low blocking glasses (also called ‘Low Color Distortion’ lenses), as the amber tint used in high blocking glasses would distort the color perception. However, from a safety point of view, high blocking glasses would give a better blue light protection.
Blue light filtering efficacy of glasses
Various brands have different claims regarding their blue light filtering efficacy. Some even claim blue light reduction upto 100%. Unfortunately, there is no universally accepted or standardized metric to gauge the effectiveness of blue light reduction offered by these glasses. Only one brand of Gunnar optics claims to have its own patented technology for assessing the efficacy of its blue light blockers.
Ultra Violet (UV) protection in blue light blocking glasses
Most of the glasses have lens made from polycarbonate (and not from plastic or glass). Polycarbonate offers very high protection against the sun’s UV light. So, blue light glasses having polycarbonate lens have inherent UV protection.
Additional anti-reflective (AR)/ anti-glare coating in some blue light glasses
Some glasses have anti-glare coating, which reflects less light from the surface of lens. As a result, more light is able to pass through the lens. This results in a better image quality. Lens with anti-reflective coating are particularly useful in low-level light conditions like night driving.
Frame material (polycarbonate versus acetate versus TR90/nylon)
Usually the frames are made from either polycarbonate (PC), acetate or TR90/nylon. Polycarbonate frames are tough, but not elastic, and can hence break. On the other hand, TR90 and acetate frames are not only sturdy, but elastic. Hence, they are more durable. When it comes to comparing TR90 frames with acetate frames, TR90 frames have the advantage of having an excellent memory and recovery after deformation, and acetate frames have the advantage of having very good anti-allergic properties.
Warranty and money-back guarantee/return policy
Some brands offer warranty and money back return guarantee/return policy. Very few brands offer life time warranty on their products.
Due to limitations, only certain models from 10 brands are compared here. These models are shortlisted from thousands of others based on a number of factors like ratings, reviews, credibility of the brand, etc. However, we acknowledge that our screening is not without limitations, and we would not be liable for the same. Moreover, even in these brands, other models with different shapes, colors and specifications are available. Hence, the reader can check out the store of these individual brands and do their own research.
These 10 models are divided into 3 groups:
Budget models, which are relatively cheap and affordable, and cost less than 50 USD
Feiyold
TIJN
Gamma Ray Optix
Cyxus
J+S Vision
ANRRI
KLIM
Mid range models (50 to 100 USD)
Gunnar
Swanwick
High end models (more than 100 USD)
Ray-Ban
However, for the latest prices, check the Amazon store.
Now, let’s have a look at these models, one by one…
FEIYOLD
- Unisex
- Shape: Retro round
- Colors: Black, Crystal, Gradient Purple, Leopard
- Lens color: Clear/Transparent
- Blue light blocking: 99% (as claimed by the manufacturer)
- UV protection: Yes
- Frame material: TR90
- Available only as a set of 2 glasses
TIJN
- Unisex
- Shape: Vintage round with thick rim
- Colors: Transparent, Tortoise, Black, Marble, Blue and Leopard, Burlywood, Grey and Black, Marble, and Wheat
- Lens material: Composite
- Lens color: Clear/Transparent
- UV protection: Yes
GAMMA RAY OPTIX
- Unisex
- Shape: Rectangle
- Color: Black
- Magnifications: 0.00x, 1.00x, 1.25x, 1.50x, 1.75x, 2.00x
- Lens color: Amber/Orange
- UV protection: Yes
- Glare reduction: Yes
- Frame material: TR90
- Money-back guarantee/return policy: 90 days
- Warranty: Lifetime on lens and frame breakage
CYXUS
- Unisex
- Shape: Square
- Colors: Black, Azure, Blue, Leopard, Black Crystal, Blue Black, Brown, Clear, Crystal Purple, Crystal Rose, Gradient Green, Gradient Pink, Leopard, Old Glory, Tortoise
- Lens material: Polycarbonate
- Lens color: Clear/Transparent
- UV protection: Yes
- Frame material: TR90
- Warranty: Lifetime
J+S VISION
- Unisex
- Shapes: Rectangle, Round, Square, and Wf1
- Colors: Clear, Black, and Tortoise
- Lens color: Both clear/transparent and amber/orange lens models
- Blue light blocking: 52% for clear/transparent lens and 62% for amber/orange lens
- UV protection: Yes
- Glare reduction: Yes
ANRRI
- Unisex
- Rectangle
- Colors: Black, Crystal, Leopard, and Pink
- Lens material: Polycarbonate
- Blue light blocking: 90% (as claimed by the manufacturer)
- UV protection: Yes
- Glare reduction: Yes
- Frame material: TR90
- Warranty: Lifetime
KLIM blue light clip-ons
- Clip-ons ( to be clipped over the current prescription or reading glasses)
- Lens color: Amber/Orange
- Blue light blocking: 86% (as claimed by the manufacturer)
GUNNAR
- Unisex
- Shape: Rectangle
- Colors: Blackish (Onyx) and Grey (Smoke)
- Lens: Both clear/transparent and amber/orange lens models
- Blue light blocking: 65 for amber/orange and 35 for clear/transparent (as per their patented technology)
- Scratch resistant coating: Yes
- UV protection: Yes
- Glare reduction: Yes
- Frame material: Polycarbonate
- Money back guarantee/return policy: 30 days
- Warranty: 1 year
SWANWICK
- To be worn over the current prescription or reading glasses
- Unisex
- Shape: Rectangle
- Color: Black
- Lens material: Resin
- Lens color: Amber/Orange
- Blue light blocking: Close to 100% (as claimed by the manufacturer)
- Glare reduction: Yes
- Frame material: Acetate
- Money-back guarantee/return policy: 30 days
RAY-BAN
- Unisex
- Shape: Rectangle
- Color: Shiny black/Clear
- Lens sizes: 52 mm, 55 mm, and 58 mm
- Lens material: Polycarbonate
- Lens color: Clear/Transparent
- Blue light blocking: Atleast 20% (as claimed by the manufacturer)
- UV protection: Yes
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