Gaming and eye health share a complicated relationship. On one hand, too much gaming is associated with poor eye health. On the other, an Information published research highlighting results from a study evaluating the use of eye-tracking technologies and serious games to enable better support for vision screening and training. Previous research has shown the potential of eye-tracking technology for vision screening in healthcare, but now there is evidence that video games may benefit vision training.
Still, researchers emphasized that further research in the emerging field is needed for more concrete conclusions. Today, discussions on gaming and eye health tend to focus on the dangers of blue light and how blue light-blocking glasses can help gamers maintain their eye health. Below, we’ll explore what blue light is, how it can impact gaming sessions, and whether or not blue light-blocking glasses affect the gaming experience:
What is blue light?
Blue light is one of several colors in the visible light spectrum. It helps regulate your circadian rhythm — or wake-and-sleep cycle — but too much exposure to blue light can stimulate your brain, slowing or stopping the release of the sleep hormone melatonin. This can significantly affect your sleep. Blue light is emitted by both natural and artificial sources, from the sun to fluorescent lamps and LED screens.
An Ophthalmology and Therapy study discusses how blue light exposure provokes photochemical reactions in most eye tissues, especially the cornea, the lens, and the retina. Previous studies have shown that specific exposure to blue light — depending on the wavelength and intensity — can cause temporary or permanent damage to some eye structures, especially the retina.
Thankfully, our eyes have mechanisms to filter blue light, called macular pigments. These macular pigments can be increased through foods or supplements rich in vitamins C, E, or zinc to lower the risk for age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Another way to reduce exposure to blue light is by wearing specially-made blue light-blocking glasses.
The pros of wearing blue light-blocking glasses
Wearing blue light-blocking glasses adds comfort and relief to the eyes when exposed to digital screens for long periods. Studies have found that blue light-blocking glasses can help reduce eye strain and discomfort during long gaming sessions and improve sleep quality, which is essential for late-night gamers. Blue light exposure can also trigger headaches in some people, so wearing blue light-blocking glasses can help reduce that risk.
Nowadays, most major eyewear brands and retailers offer blue light-blocking lenses to cater to this growing demand. Oakley glasses come with blue light filters and anti-reflective coating to reduce glare from overly bright screens. Glasses with flatter frames like the Oakley Holbrook can also boost comfort when worn with your gaming headphones, as the flat arms won’t press into you and cause pain.
The cons of wearing blue light-blocking glasses
While the name seems pretty straightforward, experts still debate the effectiveness of blue light-blocking glasses. Most prior studies focus on the effects of exposure to blue light in general, as opposed to blue light emitted by LED screens like your TV or gaming monitor. As a result, some experts may deem blue light-blocking glasses ineffective.
Another downside to blue light-blocking glasses is that the special filter often has a yellowish or dimmer tint. This can significantly alter your gaming experience if the coloring or lighting of a game matters to you, such as in competitive shooters. This also applies to other computer work that requires optimal color accuracy, such as editing for YouTube. Wearing blue light-blocking glasses may impact your final output if you color grade or correct your gaming footage to maintain consistency.
To boost the effectiveness of blue light-blocking glasses, you can pair them with eye lubricants like Alcon eye drops. Gaming for long periods can result in less blinking, which dries the eyes quicker. Dry eyes, when severe, may feel uncomfortable and sore. You can look for eye drops that use minimal to no preservatives and keep them handy to lubricate your eyes mid-gaming.