If you're like me with your computer habits, and I'm assuming most of you are, you probably spend far too much time looking at screens and end up with very tired, sore, irritated eyes at the end of the day. I like to think I'm pretty well versed in recent tech but I just found out about the existence of computer glasses. Apparently they have some popularity with gamers, but I have literally never heard someone mention these.

Here are some relevant excerpts from wikipedia

Blue light is a range of the visible light spectrum, defined as having a wavelength between 400−495 nm.[1] This short wavelength means that blue light is a type of high-energy visible light, defined as having a wavelength between 400 and 450 nm. Blue light sources are becoming increasingly common in today’s environment. Exposure to blue light comes from a variety of technologies including computers, televisions, and lights. Blue light exposure has been shown to impact health. Natural exposure to blue light during the daylight hours boosts people's energy, alertness and mood.[8] However, elongated exposure to the waves transmitted through screen devices during the evening can disrupt circadian rhythm and cause various health effects including a disruption in normal sleep schedules.[9] Scientists believe this is caused by blue-light-sensitive intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells suppressing the production of melatonin and/or stimulating the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus.

Basically the idea is that we were not evolved to be looking at artificial light all the time, especially in the four hours or so before bed. The side effects can include eye strain/ irritability and also impaired sleep.

I researched these glasses a bit and found pretty mixed reviews, some people noticed less headaches, and eye strain, better sleep while other found no significant difference. I decided to buy a low end pair to test, they are from the company Cyxus and only cost around 20$ US depending on which model you choose.

Here is what you get in the box:

I am sure all these items are familiar except perhaps the little card and laser. The laser supposedly emits blue light at a similar frequency to screens, and the card will change colour with exposure (it reverts back to white pretty quick).

The test

I ran the test as first thing, I had heard a few people say there's didn't work properly, perhaps they got faulty glasses/card, but mine worked fine. You can clearly see that the glasses blocked the test area from becoming blue.

With glasses:

Without glasses:

I have only been wearing them for a short time so I can't give a definitive positive or negative review at the moment but I plan on doing an update after a week or so. I am curious to hear from anyone else who has tried these and if they have noticed any significant difference in their vision or sleep!

fingers crossed