What Should You Look for in Gaming Glasses?
Gaming has exploded all around the world, with no signs of stopping. In 2022, data from Statista estimated that there were about 212 million gamers in the United States. Meanwhile, an article from the Sydney Morning Herald reports that four out of five Australians are gamers.
In the competitive world of gaming, every detail matters, and the right pair of gaming glasses can be a game-changer. They can enhance gameplay, make long gaming sessions more enjoyable, and ultimately protect gamers’ eye health.
In this article, we’ll explain what gaming glasses are, why you need them, and give you a few tips on the features to look out for when choosing a pair of gaming glasses.
Gaming glasses explained
Gaming glasses are specialized eyewear designed to address the visual challenges associated with prolonged gaming sessions. In a study published in the Journal of Human Sport and Exercise, researchers found that using gaming glasses minimized eye fatigue, led to stronger resistance to stress, and improved concentration after 3 hours of playing first-person shooter video games. Typically, gaming glasses feature lenses with coatings to reduce glare, filter blue light emitted by screens, and reduce eye strain.
While anyone who spends prolonged periods in front of digital screens can benefit from gaming glasses, they are particularly relevant for gamers who engage in lengthy gameplay sessions. According to a study in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine, eye fixation on video monitors or computer screens for extended periods of time can cause visual disturbances and/or headaches. The same study highlights that eye fatigue is one of the most common complaints among esports athletes.
3 Key features to look for in gaming glasses
Prescription compatibility
In a previous Rebellion Research article, we covered the pros and cons of wearing contact lenses versus glasses, noting that many may prefer glasses due to ease of use, minimal risk, and cost-effectiveness. If you’re someone who requires vision correction, opting for gaming glasses with prescription–compatible lenses is vital. This feature ensures that those who already wear prescription glasses can address their vision problems while meeting their gaming needs. Prescription-compatible lenses allow gamers with nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism to experience the same benefits, such as reduced eye strain and minimized glare, without compromising on their individual vision requirements. For this, we recommend Oakley’s Centerboard or Metalink frames, which can both be customized with prescription lenses.
Gamer-friendly frames
It’s important to note that not all glasses frames are suited to the needs of gamers. Some may be too heavy for extended use and can cause more discomfort rather than aid gamers. With this in mind, look for frames that are lightweight, have adjustable nose pads, and are headset-compatible. Glasses from Oakley, such as the Holbrook and Spindrift frames, meet all of these criteria. Additionally, the Holbrook frames come with Ace fit temples, which allows eye care professionals to adjust the temple of the frame for a precise fit. Meanwhile, the Spindrifts feature no-slip nose pads to ensure they stay on your face at all times. Finally, both models are constructed with a thinner design along the temple so that they won’t get in the way of gaming headsets.
Glare reduction
An anti-reflective coating–also known as AR, no-glare, or glare-free coating–on gaming glasses enhances visual clarity and reduces eye strain during gaming sessions. It does this by absorbing and redirecting reflected light. This feature is crucial for gamers since glare from gaming screens, in addition to intense graphics and varying screen contrasts, can fatigue the eyes faster and lead to headaches and blurred vision. In fact, optometrist Dr. Troy Bedinghaus cites that computer vision syndrome is higher among glasses-wearers who lack anti-glare lenses. Fortunately, while a few retailers do charge more for anti-reflective coatings, most popular brands such as Ray-Ban and Oakley offer glasses with lenses that already come with an anti-reflective coating.
Although gaming glasses are beneficial for reducing eye fatigue during long gaming sessions and safeguarding players against potential blue light exposure, gamers must also ensure that they take frequent breaks to protect against computer vision syndrome. This way, they can strike a balance that overall promotes better eye health and improved gaming performance.
