Amid new platforms and video game releases, 2023 remains a busy year for the gaming industry. According to a 2022 report, the Entertainment Software Association found that around 65% of people in the U.S. regularly play video games. It is no wonder that with more people enjoying video games, the market for gaming peripherals is also growing. In fact, by 2028, the market value of gaming peripherals is expected to have grown by over 10%.
Among the most popular gaming peripherals today are gaming glasses. Not to be confused with AR specs or 3D headsets, these glasses offer different uses and benefits for gamers. Read on to learn more about gaming glasses and whether they’re right for you.
What are gaming glasses?
Gaming glasses are similar to computer glasses in that they help protect your eyes from the blue light emitted by LED screens. Since gamers spend long hours facing a screen, they are prone to issues from blue light exposure, like eye strain, headaches, dry eyes, and blurred vision. Unlike regular specs for computer use, though, gaming glasses are usually made with larger frame styles to give the lens a wider coverage. The lenses also come with an amber or light yellow tint to help improve contrast sensitivity by reducing exposure to blue light. Furthermore, the arms of these glasses are softer and flatter to not be uncomfortable when wearing headphones. Some gaming glasses are also customized to match a person’s existing eyewear prescription to prevent their eyesight from deteriorating further.
How established are gaming glasses?
Given their usefulness, Data Intelo reports that the global computer and gaming glasses market size is expected to grow by around 9.5% by 2030. The emergence of e-sports has also contributed to the popularity of gaming glasses, as participants often wear them during tournaments. In fact, pro gamers like Marcus Hill and Elamite Warrior wear gaming glasses, too. Considering the widespread need for more glasses aimed at protection from extended screen use, part of this growth also comes from eyewear brands like Oakley and GUNNAR realizing they need to upgrade all of their specs.
Apart from UV protection and prescription lenses, glasses now feature blue light filters to help reduce eye strain, even for regular specs. Along with using their proprietary O Matter® and Unobtainium materials across their wide range of eyewear frames, Oakley is further recognized for lenses that enhance color and visual contrast, which can improve the gaming experience. For more dedicated gamers, Oakley also offers PRIZM Gaming 2.0 lenses that block out more blue light while improving color contrast, sharpening vision, and enhancing comfort during gaming sessions. They’ve also made headset-compatible frames like the Metalink and Socket. 5.0, which are thin and lightweight, so they won’t feel uncomfortable when using a headset while gaming. Oakley ensured that the eyewear experience would still feel seamless when paired with essential gaming accessories.
Similarly, GUNNAR glasses also offer blue light lenses for casual screen use and more high-end gaming specs. Recently, GUNNAR eyewear even partnered with e-sports organizer ESL to release branded gaming glasses. Dubbed the Lightning Bolt:360, these block out blue light and glare for peak gaming performance. Ultimately, these big brand releases aimed at blue light protection and gaming further underscore the widespread market that these peripherals have today.
Should you get gaming glasses?
At the end of the day, the decision is up to you. As a gamer, protecting your vision should be a priority since it will be difficult to enjoy playing video games with constant eye issues. Over time, these issues can also affect your life offline if left unattended. Additionally, the disruption of your sleep patterns caused by consistent exposure to blue light can pose health risks in the long run. The National Institutes of Health emphasizes the importance of getting enough sleep to avoid the increased possibility of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and poor mental health. This is especially critical given that many gamers are already prone to more sedentary lifestyles. In this case, wearing gaming glasses is a good precautionary measure to take.
Gaming glasses may not be the all-in-one solution to every health risk, nor do they ensure that your performance improves. However, getting them can drastically enhance your gaming experience for better and longer play.
