Gamer Advantage Blue Light Blocking Lenses
“Compared to most bluelight brands, GA offers a unique range of styles and colors, combining functionality with some really pleasant aesthetics. Beyond that, they are also actively involved and engaged with their community. While many brands have similar ties, it seems like GA has a deeper understanding of the wants and needs of gamers, content creators, tech users and enthusiasts. ”
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Innovative protective coated | Sunglass clip not available for all styles |
| ✔ Comfortable, flexible frames | Expensive |
| ✔ Reimbursable through some insurance providers | REZME Sleep lenses have yellow hue |
| ✔ Responsive support team |
| Specs | |
|---|---|
| REZME FOCUS | REZME SLEEP |
| Blue Light absorbing | Blue Light absorbing |
| Clear Lens | Near-Clear Lens |
| Premium Anti-Reflective and Hard Coating | Premium Anti-Reflective and Hard Coating |
| Super Hydrophobic Treatment | Super Hydrophobic Treatment |
| 100% UV Protection | 100% UV Protection |
Are blue light blocking glasses really a game changer for gamers? Can wearing coated lenses reduce symptoms of eye strain, sleep disturbance, and low focus and productivity? In this review, we delve into the effectiveness, comfort, and style of Gamer Advantage’s blue light blocking glasses, exploring whether they truly live up to their claims of reducing eye fatigue and improving your overall wellness. Read on to uncover the benefits and potential drawbacks of these lenses and find out if they're the solution for screens that you need.
Why blue light blocking?
If you spend 4 or more hours a day in front of a computer screen, whether it’s for work, content creation, or gaming; incorporating blue light protection lenses into your daily use is supported by several studies and independent research to provide an increase in productivity, a decrease in eye strain and fatigue, and the ability to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
Blue light blocking glasses have gained popularity in recent years in response to increased exposure to electronic screens and artificial lighting. However, the science behind our understanding of the different wavelengths of light and their effects on human health and vision has been a subject of scientific study for decades.
Researchers have long recognized that blue light, with its shorter wavelengths, can have both positive and negative effects. In the 1980s, scientists discovered a specific type of light-sensitive cell in the retina called the intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cell (ipRGC). These cells play a role in regulating the body's circadian rhythm and are particularly sensitive to blue light. As electronic devices became more prevalent in daily life, concerns quickly arose about the potential health effects of prolonged exposure to blue light emitted from screens. Some studies suggested that excessive blue light exposure, especially in the evening, could disrupt sleep patterns and affect overall well-being. In response to these concerns, the market for blue light blocking glasses emerged. These glasses are designed to filter out or reduce the amount of blue light reaching the eyes. The lenses may have special coatings or tints that selectively block specific wavelengths of blue light.
As part of our series researching blue light, in this review we are taking a closer look at the eyewear brand Gamer Advantage. It was the increasing awareness, concerns, and questions regarding blue-light blocking lenses and their legitimacy that led to the company’s creation in 2019 by Bryan Reedy.
Although Gamer Advantage does share some similarities with other products on the market as blue light blocking glasses can be found at most major retailers and manufacturers, and a focus on eye health in the digital age is increasingly common, their proprietary technology is unique to their brand, with claims that this lens coating blocks a higher percentage of light in what is considered the most harmful range. Glasses play an important role in our personality and image. Compared to most bluelight brands, GA offers a unique range of styles and colors, combining functionality with some really pleasant aesthetics. Beyond that, they are also actively involved and engaged with their community. While many brands have similar ties, it seems like GA has a deeper understanding of the wants and needs of gamers, content creators, tech users and enthusiasts.
Their team is also very active across social media and other platforms such as discord, soliciting real-world feedback and hosting partner town halls in order to continuously improve their products and services. At the time of this review, GA has over 600 active partners and has a “Featured Partners” banner where they highlight a few of them each month. Gamer Advantage has also partnered with Esports teams and programs, such as Equinas Esports, Hitmarker, and charities like Gamers Outreach. This works to center them closer to their brand identity as a “gaming wellness company” rather than just another eyewear brand.
Similar to traditional glasses, pricing for blue light blocking glasses can vary significantly depending on the brand, lens type, frame material, and addons. Basic designs without prescription lenses can range from $10-$30, mid-range eyewear can run between $30-$70 and usually offer more features such as anti-glare coatings, a wider variety of styles and colors, and reader-style prescriptions. For higher-end price points, and glasses requiring prescription lenses, consumers can expect to pay between $70 to $200+, and that will usually include anti-glare, premium frame materials, a more expansive selection of styles, and additional customizable options.
Gamer Advantage falls on the more expensive end and offers frames between $99 and $129 to start. To upgrade from their REZME Focus, to their higher protection coating - the REZME Sleep is an additional $30. Readers that add +0.5 to +3 power in the lens adds $35, and to include single vision prescription it adds $80 to the overall price. This includes a premium anti-reflective hard coating, and super hydrophobic treatment to the lenses to further benefit wearers and help keep lenses clean and effective during screen time. Overall, the maximum price out of pocket for consumers before discounts or insurance comes out to $239.99. A 10% discount code is offered on their website, or by using a GA partner’s discount code, which brings the final cost to 215.99 before taxes and shipping. Some insurance providers also offer reimbursements for prescription eyewear, which can decrease costs significantly although the up-front purchase price will be the same.
Often in technology, “you get what you pay for” and for consumers looking to purchase glasses specifically for their blue light blocking capabilities, this might also be worth considering. In order to determine if this is the case here, throughout this review I provide a breakdown of Gamer Advantage’s claims, the evidence behind them, and my personal experience wearing their glasses to provide detailed and thorough findings on what you get from this eyewear for the price.
While I have been wearing glasses my whole life, and have used a variety of lens coatings, such as anti-glare and even transitions, these particular frames are my first introduction into the world of blue light protection eyewear. I was feeling a mixture of excitement and skepticism when I received them, but also anticipation from the hope that these would live up to their claims and provide me some benefits. Because my workday is mostly spent in front of screens and on the computer, I was eager to find out if I did experience a reduction in eye irritation, an improvement in my sleep, and any other potential relief. But I did have my doubts. Will these lenses truly make a noticeable difference? Can they really shield the eyes from the harmful effects of prolonged screen time? These questions reflect a cautious attitude, as I know the prevalence of marketing claims and am wary of false promises.
For this review, I took a look at Gamer Advantage’s REZME SLEEP lenses as I do spend more than 8 hours a day in front of a screen, using my phone, and otherwise bombarding my eyes with LED light sources. I do use my PC and phone’s comfort eye shield options, including a black and white filter that activates after midnight on my Galaxy Fold, but my main goal for using these lenses was to get first hand experience on their blue light protection, and personally challenge the benefits that the studies on their website show.
To do this, I started with using their virtual try-on to select the frames that I liked most.
While they do have a wide selection of frames/styles, I was disappointed to see that not all of the frame options were supported through their virtual try-on feature, especially the ones I was pretty sure I wanted most. I love cat-eye style frames, and tend to lean towards those when selecting glasses, but not being able to see what I would look like in all their options was not the best experience. For the frames that were available however, the virtual try-on was really smooth, and surprisingly accurate even when turning and moving my head.
In the end, I did decide to spring for the cat-eye style Arbor frames, despite not being able to see what they would look like on my face. I chose to get them in classic black, although I might have gone with a different color if I had been able to see what that looked like prior to deciding. Looking further, I could also have utilized the information on their FAQ page for fit/sizing, as their support team will also assist with styling. Although, I do feel like adding all available frame choices to their virtual try-on feature might be easier for consumers as opposed to sending photos of yourself to their support team and emailing back and forth.
While they do have a 45 day full refund policy, it does not apply to prescription or readers, so I was careful to select a style and color that I was familiar with and felt like I would be happy to have.
It is important to note that their glasses can be exchanged for a processing and restocking fee of $7, if a buyer wants a different color or style.
For prescription wearers, checking the FAQ on their site is a must, as there are restrictions on what they can accommodate. As someone who has been wearing intense prescription eyewear my entire life, I was not surprised by this. I am extremely nearsighted in my left eye, need a six diopter correction (-6.00) and have a convergence insufficiency that requires a horizontal prism so that I don’t have double vision. Needless to say, my prescription is difficult and expensive to process. According to Gamer Advantage’s FAQ as seen below - they can come close, but cannot entirely provide lenses that cover my specific prescription needs. Despite this, I still wanted to give them a try, since my main goal was to see what advantage I could get from their proprietary coating and their blue light protection. While I don’t have any trouble using my phone, or computer, and can read small print well even at close range, I can tell the difference when driving, watching television, or doing things that require intense visualization of small objects like embroidery or cross-stitch.
Based on this information and my experience, I would highly suggest you see your optometrist prior to ordering any prescription lenses, to make sure you have the most up-to-date prescription.
Typically, in my experience when buying eyewear online, the process for providing your prescription is part of the ordering process, and you enter those details before you check out. This was not the case with Gamer Advantage, they had a system that was a bit different, and slightly odd. After I placed my order, I received a form via email to provide my information and upload my prescription. Throughout this process, if I had any questions or needs, I was assured that their support team was available to assist. I really appreciated how personable and connected their team is, and felt like I was being communicated with personally - something I hadn’t experienced with some larger brands.
I was very impressed when I first received my order. Immediately I noticed that they are noticeably lighter and more flexible than my previous glasses, even with the need for my larger prescription on one side. I also really appreciated the maneuverability of the frames, a testament to their Morph-Flex technology which allows them to bend and move comfortably without fear of breaking.
It’s important to note that in order to provide the full function of their protection, the REZME SLEEP lenses are near-clear. Which means they are impregnated with a powder that ensures that high level of protection, something I was aware of especially when looking at bright white subjects, but that overall did not change my perception of what I was looking at. In fact, I often forgot or didn’t notice any difference at all unless it was something I was specifically looking for, and had no effect on reading, watching, or playing games. Personally, I prefer the possibility of protection over having perfectly clear lenses, but I understand that might not be the same for everyone. I think Gamer Advantage understands that too, as they also provide similar protection in their REZME FOCUS lenses but at a slightly lower intensity, allowing for clear lenses, no hue, but still including their innovative coating for protection.
Both lens coatings are described by Gamer Advantage as clinically proven, and doctor endorsed, in providing protection from blue light, improving sleep, and helping with focus. They state they are achieving this by targeting blue light in the range that it is most harmful - between 400 to 500 nm with a peak of 455 nm.
For more information on blue light, the science behind it’s potential for harm, and more details on it’s effects, you can check out our in depth blue light article here:
For this review, I focused on the blue light benefits endorsed by Gamer Advantage.
As a healthcare professional, I am an advocate for evidenced-based practice, and being a research based consumer. As a gamer with ADHD, I also tend to impulse buy shiny objects from organizations with lofty claims and products lit up with RGB lighting. Thankfully, Gamer Advantage does provide third party verified research studies that correspond to their coating technology. Specifically, they cite studies aimed at research into the effects of blue light filtering lenses and their findings.
For their claim regarding their glasses’ ability to ‘enhance ability to focus and productivity by 47%” - they provided a link to the following studies:
I was unable to find the first study provided, and no search regarding Matthew Slowik, Keene State College, or the specific listed title of the study produced any results. This was a little concerning, so I chose to do my own research regarding blue light and productivity, and did find several journal articles and research studies that provided some clarification on these claims.
The second citation was easily producible, and can be found here. It provided support to Gamer Advantage’s claims, but was behind a paywall, so not as easily accessible for anyone wanting to quickly verify and feel good about their purchase at a glance.
Anecdotally, I have personally noticed a difference when wearing these lenses compared to my previous pair with no blue-light coating. I had no difficulty staying up until the early hours of the morning with my last eyewear, and didn't noticeably feel tired - something I usually have attributed to my lifestyle, work, and habits. However, I have noticed when wearing my Gamer Advantage glasses, I do get noticeably tired, and I do so earlier than I am used to. I have also found that I am capable of falling asleep faster, and feel that I do stay asleep longer during the time that I use the blue-light protection eyewear. I don’t feel that I have noticed any particular increase in my alertness or ability to focus during the workday when wearing them compared to my previous lenses, and the protection against eye strain seems to be the same as when using the 20-20-20 rule with no increase or decrease to irritation, pain, or dry eye during use. After wearing these lenses for over a month, I found that I prefer using them, especially during the workday and while gaming. One additional benefit that I had not anticipated enjoying as much as I did was their flexible, durable frames. Their proprietary Morph-Flex frames are thin, extremely light, and designed to fit comfortably under headsets while gaming or on video calls, and can be bent, flexed, and are made to withstand much of what a wearer can put them through. I didn’t realize how important this would be for me, until the arm of my previous frames snapped beyond repair just a few days before my Gamer Advantage shipment arrived. Because my vision is so poor without them, broken frames for me can mean that I am unable to drive, work, read, or do much of anything until I can get them repaired or replaced. Knowing that I can rely on these frames to last was a big benefit for me.
Overall, based on my personal experience, as well as the evidence-based research currently available, I would recommend that in today’s digital world, the more protection a person can give themselves, the better. Despite some shortcomings in the virtual try-on, and purchasing process, as well as limitations for those with prescription needs, Gamer Advantage does stand out as an accomplished choice in this market. If you can afford the price for the protection that these lenses give, it would be worth the purchase, as this brand seems to use all of the technology available to produce capable, high quality eyewear that is supported by science.
