Gunnar Optiks: Better gaming through better eyewear

If Oakley glasses are best known for skiers and Maui Jim's are best known for water sport enthusiasts, then Gunnar Optiks wants to be the first name for our Digital Lifestyles.

The idea is simple. Gunnar glasses are designed to  reduce eyestrain and fatigue caused by staring at screens for extended periods -- whether you're a PC/console gamer or just happen to work at a computer for extended periods (or both). Gunnar glasses might even help alleviate those 'WoW headaches' and similar side-effects from extended gaming -- all by making things a little easier on your eyes.

Simple idea, complex engineering

Although the idea may be simple, the engineering behind the lenses is not -- but here is what Gunnar glasses are designed to do in layman's terms:

• Create a 'microclimate' behind the lenses to block ambient air currents and alleviate dry-eye effects.
• Provide ultra light, durable, impact resistant lenses
• Minimize color distortion
• Filter specific wavelengths to selectively neutralize harsh parts of the color spectrum.
• Reduce glare and reflective light through an anti-reflective coating
• Capture and enhance “good” light to reduce eyestrain and fatigue
• Enhance contrast for a sharper viewing

Although Gunnar designs glasses for traditionally indoor past times (i.e. playing games, computer work, etc.), there are those who just can't pull themselves away from their iPhone, laptop, or portable gaming device regardless of where we are.

Fortunately, Gunnar also makes sunglasses.The outdoor glasses are particularly interesting, because they are designed not only to protect your eyes from the sun, but to enhance light from digital screens in outdoor (glare-ridden) environments. In other words, you're much less likely to have to raise your shades (thereby lowering your cool) to see your laptop or iPhone when you're sitting at the park.

Best glasses for gaming

Gunnars are reasonably priced, ranging from $50-$150 on average -- assuming you don't need to drop the extra $159 for prescription lenses.

For gamers that might be considering a pair of Gunnars, here's some advice, courtesy of Gunnar: If you play games close to a monitor (PC gamer), the Metallic series of glasses are likely best suited to you.

If you play farther away -- like on a large LCD TV, for example (i.e. console gamers most likely) -- then the eSport series is probably your best bet. Once you've picked out the type of lenses you want, then it's just a matter of picking out your style.

Personal experience

I had the opportunity to spend time with Gunnar Optiks at PAX 2009 -- and after trying on a pair, I was almost instantly sold on them.

Now, I'll readily admit to being a glasses snob. One trip to Maui with a sh*tty pair of sunglasses was all it took to convert me to believing in the virtues of quality (and unfortunately, pricey) eyewear. 

This year, I had to buy prescription lenses for the first time just this year for my 40-year old eyes, which have spent the better part of my life in front of monitors, computer screens, and video games of one form or another.

Within minutes of trying on the Gunnar Optiks at PAX 2009, I was immediately impressed with how they 'warmed' the color spectrum and seemed to make looking at computer screens a tad easier on the old orbs. I had some concern about the yellow lenses, which change the color spectrum a bit -- but I'm more than happy to exchange tired eyes, headaches, and fatigue for a little color adjustment.

For those of you that require completely uncompromised color, however -- for photo or video editing, for example -- Gunnar should be launching their clear, uncolored 'Crystal' series lenses later this year.

I decided I had to try them. As someone who spends the better part of every day in front of a computer (not to mention fluorescent lights) at work, and a good amount of time off and on throughout the day in general, I had to see if they could alleviate eyestrain and fatigue. After I receive the glasses, I'll write a short review on my experiences with them -- but I may already be a convert.

Read more at Gunnars home page