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If you’ve played video games until the wee hours of the night, you’ve probably experienced a feeling of regret when you wake up the next morning (or afternoon). In addition to feelings of grogginess, late-night gaming sessions can cause itchy or dry eyes, blurry vision, and headaches.
These symptoms are not exclusive to hardcore gamers; even casual enjoyment of video games can lead to a condition known as digital eye strain. To remedy this, retailers have introduced gaming glasses, which claim to regulate sleep-wake cycles, reduce eye strain, minimize glare, and allow you to play to your heart’s content.
But are these gaming glasses really worth it? Do they actually deliver on their promises? Are they really any different than regular blue light-blocking glasses? Keep reading to find out.
The Dangers of Digital Eye Strain
Before getting into the nuances of gaming glasses, let’s talk about the issues they aim to correct, including digital eye strain. This condition, also known as computer vision syndrome, can happen to anyone who stares at a screen for too long, whether it’s typing on a computer at work, scrolling through social media on your phone, or binge-watching your favorite TV show. However, gamers are often more susceptible to this condition because of the intense focus required to navigate the game successfully.
The symptoms of digital eye strain include:
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Dry, red eyes
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Trouble focusing
- Blurred or double vision
- Headaches
- Disrupted sleep
- Reduced productivity
While most of these symptoms are temporary and lessen once you stop using your device, they can continue for longer periods of time, especially if you have uncorrected vision problems like farsightedness or presbyopia.
The Effects of Blue Light
So, what causes digital eye strain? What makes looking at a screen different than looking at anything else? The answer lies in exposure to blue light, which is emitted by phones, computer monitors, and TV screens. While it’s also found in sunlight, blue light exposure from digital devices is particularly concerning because of the screens’ close proximity to our eyes and the length of time we spend using our devices.
Blue light is on the higher-frequency end of the visible light spectrum, which means it contains higher amounts of energy. Our eyes cannot effectively filter blue light, which means that more of it passes through to the retina. Although blue light promotes alertness, elevates mood, and regulates the circadian rhythm, excessive exposure can have adverse effects, contributing to digital eye strain and sleep problems.
Too much blue light exposure at night — a common time for gaming — can disrupt your circadian rhythm. Blue light tells your body that it’s daytime, keeping you awake and focused. As the sun goes down and the light dims, your body knows it’s time to start producing melatonin, the hormone that helps you fall asleep.
When your eyes are exposed to blue light late at night, your body doesn’t produce the melatonin it needs, making it hard for you to fall asleep and stay asleep. Without sufficient sleep, your eyes don’t have the chance to recover from digital eye strain, exacerbating your symptoms.
Gaming Glasses vs. Blue Light Glasses
Gaming glasses are designed to alleviate some of the negative effects of late-night video game sessions. However, they’re not much different from standard blue light-blocking lenses.
Gaming glasses usually have a yellowish tint to the lenses, which doesn’t actually contribute much to their effectiveness. They often have anti-glare properties, as well, but this feature isn’t exclusive to gaming glasses — special coatings are commonly added to prescription glasses to reduce glare.
Rather than shelling out extra cash for specialized gaming glasses, you’re better off opting for more versatile blue light glasses. If you need prescription lenses, talk to your optometrist about adding a blue light filter or an anti-glare coating to your next pair of eyeglasses.
Tips to Protect Your Eyes While Gaming
In addition to blue light exposure, factors like lighting, glare, viewing distance, posture, and underlying vision problems can also negatively affect your vision when gaming. To learn more about how to protect your eyes during screen time, check out these blog posts:
- Do Glasses Help Prevent Eye Strain?
- Computer Vision Syndrome: How Much Screen Time Is Okay For Your Eyes?
- Tired Eyes? 6 Useful Things You Can Do To Help Eye Fatigue
- Blue Light: The Impact Of Digital Eye Strain
Personalized Solutions at Wolcott Optical
If you’re not sure whether blue light filters, anti-glare coatings, or gaming glasses are a good fit for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to the experts at Wolcott Optical. We have helped countless individuals find effective solutions that allow them to see the world more clearly. Come visit us in Millcreek, Utah, to explore our wide range of options.
