Which GUNNAR Lenses Are Right for Me?

Which GUNNAR Lenses Are Right for Me?
Posted on January 14, 2020 by Ted Richards on www.gunnar.com, reposted on www.gunnar-optiks.eu on February 25 2021

If you’ve spent much time on our website, you’ve likely noticed our variety of lens options. If you’re anything like me, you probably look at all of them and have no clue how to choose. Various factors play into the decision, making it a tough one. Higher versus lower protection, color versus clear lenses, outdoor versus indoor lenses, which one’s will do the trick? Today we offer an outline of the purpose of various types of lenses, and how to choose.

A Quick Note For All GUNNAR Users
You’ll notice as we break this down that regardless of why you need GUNNAR, you should be asking “how much protection do I need?” At bottom, this question takes in all of the advice that follows. The key difference between the lenses is Blue Light Protection Factor (BLPF). Just like skin protection factor (SPF) in sunscreen, we rate our lenses based on how well they protect your eyes. Bear this in mind as we go through our various lens types one by one below.

Lens and Glasses Types and Needs
As the name indicates, GUNNAR designed gaming glasses for gamers. The main difference with the glasses for gamers is the frame design. The frames focus on comfort and compatibility for gaming (for example, specific designs to work with headsets). The lens options for each type of glasses are the same (although some lens types are only available with certain frames, narrow your search in our store to see which frames are available in the lens type you need). If you prefer a different set of frames, any frames that support the type of lenses you need will do just fine for you. Our patented technology, however, is not in the frames, but in the lenses!

One other thing to note: GUNNAR offers corrective lenses. Our frames and lenses can accommodate prescription and (in some cases) reading lenses.

Clear Lens
This lens offers the lowest BLPF (35). Individuals using clear lenses receive greater protection than normal glasses, but less than Amber, Sun, or Amber Max lenses. Such lenses work best for those with the lowest need of protection. Casual technology users who sometimes experience eye strain and other symptoms will generally find these glasses to work quite well. If this description applies to you, and you prefer to not wear amber lenses for aesthetic reasons (it’s ok, we get it), Clear lenses might be for you.

You should consider getting Clear lenses if one or more of the following apply to you:

• Use your phone 1-2 hours per day at most
• Do not use a computer for work
• Experience minimal, but present, symptoms of digital eye strain
• Rarely work in low light areas
• Exposure to artificial blue light is a minimal concern
• Play video or computer games only casually, or not at all
• Sleep cycle suffers hardly at all from your use of digital devices

Amber Lens
Amber lenses take a big jump in BLPF from clear (65). The lens color changes, and the protection nearly doubles. These lenses offer protection to those who use technology much more frequently. If use of technology figures as a central part of your day, you should consider using amber lenses. If functional protection is the name of the game, amber lenses might just be for you.

You should consider getting Amber lenses if one or more of the following apply to you:

• Use your phone for 3+ hours per day
• Use a computer for work
• Experience persistent symptoms of digital eye strain
• Work infrequently in low light areas
• Exposure to artificial blue light is a regular part of your day
• Play video or computer games frequently, for extended periods of time
• Suffer moderate sleep cycle issues from your digital devices
• Many modern careers and pastimes point toward this, our most popular lens.
• Graphic designers, software engineers and coders, bloggers, pro gamers, and individuals in related careers would all benefit from Amber lenses.

Sun Lens
The other types of frames outlined focus on indoor use. As you might have guessed, our sun lenses are for outdoor use. These lenses provide a higher BLPF (90) for those who spend long periods out in the sun, with our without technology. Those who use clear lenses indoors should also note that we offer transition lenses that go from Clear to Sun tint (although the BLPF is always 35 in these lenses).

You should consider getting Sun lenses if one or more of the following apply to you:

• Work outdoors frequently for long periods
• Experience headaches or other eye strain symptoms in sunlight
• Use digital devices outdoors during the day
• Of course, we should note that anyone who wears sunglasses will benefit from a pair of GUNNAR sunglasses. The BLPF on your current glasses likely leaves your eyes vulnerable. Why only protect your eyes indoors?

Amber Max Lens
Now we’ve reached MAXIMUM PROTECTION! Amber max, with the highest BLPF we offer (95) is designed for the most sensitive eyes. This level of protection allows almost no blue light through. The downside, of course, is the darkness and color of the tint. If you feel you need the level of protection offered by Amber Max, however, any downsides will disappear with the relief you’ll experience with use.

You should consider getting Amber Max lenses if one or more of the following apply to you:

• Frequently work using technology at night or in very low light
• Regularly game for extended periods of time at night or in very low light
• When using technology you experience extreme symptoms of digital eye strain
• Your sleep cycle suffers significantly from your use of digital devices
• Consultation with an eye doctor recommends extreme protection
• Remember the list of occupations and pastimes listed under Amber lenses? Plug all of those in here, and take away the light. If you work at night doing any of the careers listed under Amber, Amber Max may be the lens for you.

A Quick Recap
Below is an image that briefly describes each of the lens types.

The Next Step
Now you have all the knowledge you need to make an informed decision about which GUNNAR lens is right for you. The next step is to choose your level of protection. Move forward today with GUNNAR’s patented lens technology, and join the movement!