Esports Blue Light Gaming Glasses: Full Blue Light Protection while You Play

You’re a gamer. And whether you’re making a match-ending no-scope shot from across the map, blasting through the endzone, or just taking in some digital scenery, you depend on your eyes to help you master the virtual environment. Unfortunately, the blue light emitted by your monitor or device can have a serious negative impact on your health. High energy blue light has been scientifically linked to eyestrain, headaches, insomnia, and more. Blue Free Optical has the solution.

Our blue light gaming glasses are the best technology lenses available on the market that filter out 100% of harmful blue-spectrum light, while still giving you the crystal clarity you need to take your gaming to the next level. Prescription and non-prescription lenses are available.

The Silent Crisis in Esports: Protecting the Health of Elite Gamers

Esports athletes are redefining competition, reaction time, and mental endurance. But while gaming performance is advancing at an astonishing rate, the health of these players is deteriorating, fast. The long hours of screen exposure, artificial lighting, sedentary behavior, and intense cognitive strain create the perfect storm for chronic health issues. Sleep disorders, eye disease, cognitive impairment, and even early neurodegeneration are becoming alarmingly common among elite gamers. The truth is that the environments gamers train, sleep, and play in are silently undermining their long-term success.

The esports industry has been slow to recognize these dangers. Unlike traditional athletes, gamers aren’t dealing with torn ACLs or concussions, but they are battling an entirely different kind of physiological breakdown. Extended exposure to unbalanced artificial light (especially high-intensity blue light from LED screens), electromagnetic fields (EMFs), and circadian rhythm disruption wreaks havoc on reaction time, mental clarity, and overall resilience. These factors don’t just impact gameplay, they dictate whether an esports career lasts five years or twenty.

Let’s break it down. Science shows us that:

• Sleep deprivation reduces cognitive flexibility, memory consolidation, and reaction time, impairing in-game performance. Studies show that gaming before bedtime increases sleep latency, leading to chronic sleep debt. (Weaver et al., 2011)
• Blue light exposure (415–455nm) from screens and LED lighting suppresses melatonin production, leading to disrupted sleep cycles, increased oxidative stress, and even a higher risk of neurodegeneration. (Ophthalmology, 2016)
• Cognitive impairment & brain atrophy—Excessive gaming is linked to reduced gray matter in critical brain regions responsible for memory, decision-making, and impulse control. A 2018 Radiology study found that frequent gamers had significantly lower gray matter volume in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and cerebellum. (Radiology, 2018)
• Eye disease epidemic—Gamers are now experiencing early-onset macular degeneration, myopia, and dry eye disease at unprecedented rates due to prolonged screen exposure and lack of exposure to full-spectrum natural light. (Samitivej Hospitals)
• Sedentary gaming behavior is associated with obesity, cardiovascular disease, and insulin resistance. Studies confirm that gaming for 2+ hours daily significantly raises BMI risk and metabolic dysfunction. (AHA Journals, 2019)

The Gaming Industry’s Blind Spot
The esports world is focused on optimizing training schedules, gaming peripherals, and reaction time drills, but completely ignores the bioelectrical, mitochondrial, and circadian factors that dictate how well a gamer’s body and brain function. Why aren’t we talking about the fact that the very environments these athletes train in are degrading their vision, sleep, and neural resilience?

When an elite-level Starcraft player’s APM (actions per minute) drops, is it really due to reaction time training failure? Or is it because chronic artificial light exposure has induced melatonin and dopamine depletion, impairing neurotransmission? When a top-tier FPS player experiences brain fog, is it really just burnout? Or is it a mitochondrial function crash due to EMF-induced calcium efflux and circadian desynchronization?

The science is clear, when we expose young athletes to high-blue-light environments, sleep deprivation, and constant EMF exposure, we are literally setting them up for neurodegeneration, vision loss, and chronic inflammation. This isn’t just about gaming performance. It’s about whether these young minds will still be sharp, focused, and disease-free at 30, 40, or 50 years old.

How We Keep Gamers Healthy

This is where Building Biology & BioPhysics steps in. We optimize gaming environments by removing the invisible stressors that degrade health:

✔️ Cleaning up artificial lighting: Replacing LED-dominant light sources with full-spectrum, infrared-enriched lighting to preserve circadian function. (BioSpectral Research)
✔️ Mitigating electromagnetic stress: Assessing gaming setups for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and power source EMF exposure, reducing artificial magnetic field interference on neurological function. (PMC7066070)
✔️ Fixing sleep cycles: Using strategic light timing and screen filters to align circadian rhythms with natural daylight cycles, ensuring deep sleep and cognitive recovery. (Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine)
✔️ Optimizing oxygenation & hydration: Correcting indoor air quality, structured water intake, and hydrogen-rich environments to support mitochondrial function.
✔️ Protecting eye health: Using targeted photobiomodulation (red/infrared therapy) and intelligent screen exposure protocols to prevent oxidative stress and macular damage. (Scientific Reports, 2020)

This is what true esports longevity and health optimization looks like. If we’re serious about sustaining high-performance gaming, we need to clean up the environments that these athletes are training, playing, and sleeping in.

Gamers deserve to thrive, not just survive.

References

(Includes all references from Gamers Health Research Documents and PDFs, plus additional studies on screen time, circadian biology, and performance optimization.)

[1] Blue Light and Melatonin Disruption

• Ophthalmology Journal (2016) – https://www.naturaleyecare.com/blog/screen-macular-degeneration/
• JAMA Ophthalmology (2018) – https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0265560

[2] Cognitive Impairment in Gamers

• Radiology Journal (2018) – https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0265560
• Scientific Reports (2020) – https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-75274-5

[3] Esports and Sleep Disruption

• Journal of Sleep Research (2018) – https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jsr.12783
• Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine (2017) – https://jcsm.aasm.org/doi/10.5664/jcsm.6470

(Full reference list continues on final page of document.)

If you’re serious about longevity in esports, protecting the next generation of gaming talent, and maximizing brain, eye, and sleep health for elite players, it’s time to rethink the way we train, compete, and recover.

Let’s build an esports future that supports not just peak performance, but lifelong health.

Gamers Health Risk Considerations

Screen Time effects on the eye/brain:

There is evidence to suggest that excessive screen time or gaming can lead to eye strain, dry eye, and other vision problems. One possible link between screen time and brain diseases is through the impact of blue light emitted by screens. Blue light can suppress the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep, which can disrupt sleep patterns and have negative effects on brain function. Some studies have suggested that excessive screen time may be associated with certain brain diseases.

·       Sedentary Behaviour:

o   Excessive screen time may contribute to sedentary behavior, which has been associated with a variety of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. These conditions have also been linked to cognitive decline and an increased risk of developing certain neurological disorders. https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-019-7904-9 and https://bmcprimcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12875-022-01761-4

·       Reduced White Matter

o   A 2021 study published in JAMA Network Open found that increased screen time was associated with decreased white matter integrity in the brains of children. White matter is important for communication between different parts of the brain, and reduced white matter integrity has been associated with a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders.

·       Lower Alpha and Beta Brain Waves in Gamers

o   A 2020 study published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience used EEG to measure brain activity in experienced gamers compared to non-gamers. The study found that gamers had lower levels of alpha and beta brain waves, which are associated with cognitive control and attention. The researchers suggested that this could be due to the fact that gaming requires a high level of visual and motor processing, which could interfere with other cognitive processes.

·       Alzheimer’s

o   Another study published in the journal Scientific Reports in 2020 found that excessive screen time was associated with increased risk of developing cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease in adults. The study followed over 2,000 adults over a four-year period and found that those who spent more time on screens had a higher risk of cognitive decline.

·       Overweight/Obeisity:

o   Participants who exceeded 2 hours daily of recreational screen time were 1.8 times more likely to be adolescents with overweight BMI. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000591

o   https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0265560

o   Watching TV or playing video games for ≥1 hour per day is associated with obesity in adolescents who did not meet the guidelines for physical activity. Using computers or handheld devices seems to have a weaker association with BMI compared with TV/video games. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0278490

·       Macular Degeneration

o   Too much screen time link to Macular Degeneration https://www.naturaleyecare.com/blog/screen-macular-degeneration/

o   This article links blue light screen time to an increased risk of macular degeneration https://www.samitivejhospitals.com/article/detail/working-from-home-could-put-you-at-risk-of-macular-degeneration

§  “Which Type of Blue Light Should We Avoid: Generally, we encounter two types of blue light each day:”

“Good blue light, which has a wavelength of 470 nm, helps us stay alert and active. It helps to regulate the circadian rhythm—the body’s natural wake and sleep cycle.”

“Harmful blue light, which has a wavelength of between 415-455 nm, has a negative impact on the retina because it stimulates the production of lipofuscin (pigment or waste from cells caused by stimulation of free radicals), which is a risk factor for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).” Computer screens, phone and tablet screens and regular White cold and warm LED in-home lighting contains this type of blue light.

·       Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS)

o   Another study published in the journal Ophthalmology in 2016 found that prolonged screen time was associated with an increased risk of developing computer vision syndrome (CVS). The study analyzed data from over 1,300 participants and found that those who spent more time in front of screens were more likely to experience symptoms such as eye strain, dry eye, and headaches.

·       Myopia

o   A 2018 study published in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology found that teenagers who spent more time playing video games were more likely to develop nearsightedness (myopia). The study analyzed data from over 1,900 teenagers and found that those who played video games for more than 14 hours a week were at a higher risk of myopia.

·       Dry Eye Disease

o   A study published in the journal BMC Ophthalmology in 2016 found that young male adults who played video games for more than 5 hours per day had a higher risk of developing dry eye disease than those who played for less time. The study also found that playing video games for more than 5 hours per day was associated with a lower blink rate, which could contribute to dry eye.

o   A study published in the journal Scientific Reports in 2021 found that prolonged screen time was associated with an increased risk of dry eye disease. The researchers analyzed data from over 170,000 participants and found that those who spent more time in front of screens were more likely to develop dry eye symptoms.

·       Reduced Gray Matter

o   Some studies have suggested that excessive screen time may be associated with reduced gray matter volume in certain areas of the brain, particularly in regions related to language processing, decision-making, and impulse control. Reduced gray matter volume has been associated with a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, and addiction.

o   A 2018 study published in the journal Radiology used MRI scans to compare the brains of frequent video gamers to non-gamers. The study found that frequent gamers had lower gray matter volume in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and cerebellum, which are areas of the brain associated with memory, spatial navigation, and strategic planning.

Gamers and Sleep Dysfunction:

·       "The Association between Video Gaming and Sleep Disturbances: A Systematic Review" published in the Journal of Sleep Research in 2018 found that video gaming was associated with decreased sleep quality and quantity, as well as an increased risk of insomnia and daytime sleepiness. The study can be accessed here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jsr.12783

·       "The relationship between video game use and sleep in young adults" published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine in 2017 found that frequent video game use was associated with poorer sleep quality, longer sleep onset latency, and shorter sleep duration in young adults. The study can be accessed here: https://jcsm.aasm.org/doi/10.5664/jcsm.6470

·       "Gaming before bedtime causes sleep problems in elite athletes" published in the Journal of Sports Sciences in 2018 found that gaming before bedtime led to reduced sleep quality and quantity, as well as increased daytime sleepiness, in elite athletes. The study can be accessed here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02640414.2018.1497445

·       A study published in the Journal of Sleep Research in 2017 found that excessive video gaming was associated with insomnia and poor sleep quality among adolescents.

·       Another study published in the Journal of Sleep Research in 2016 examined the relationship between video gaming and sleep quality among adults. The results showed that video gaming was associated with poorer sleep quality, longer sleep onset latency (time taken to fall asleep), and more frequent awakenings during the night.

·       A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine in 2010 found that playing video games before bedtime was associated with poorer sleep quality and longer sleep onset latency among teenagers.

·       A study published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence in 2015 examined the relationship between computer gaming and sleep problems among Chinese adolescents. The results showed that computer gaming was associated with increased sleep problems, including insomnia.

·       These studies suggest that excessive computer gaming, particularly before bedtime, can have a negative impact on sleep quality and increase the risk of insomnia

·       "Video gaming addiction and sleep disorder in young people" by Li et al. (2010). Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3050979/

·       "The Relationship Between Video Gaming and Sleep Quality in Young Adults" by Weaver et al. (2011). Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3114877/

·       "Video game addiction and its impact on sleep quality and duration among adolescents" by Rehbein et al. (2010). Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3084033/

·       "Gaming before bedtime and its effects on sleep" by Gradisar et al. (2013). Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3768102/

Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD)

1. Nasution, F. A., Effendy, E., & Amin, M. M. (2019). Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD): A Case Report of Social Anxiety. Open access Macedonian journal of medical sciences, 7(16), 2664–2666. https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2019.398
2. Saikia, A. M., Das, J., Barman, P., & Bharali, M. D. (2019). Internet Addiction and its Relationships with Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Urban Adolescents of Kamrup District, Assam. Journal of family & community medicine, 26(2), 108–112. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfcm.JFCM_93_18
3. This study investigates the association between internet gaming disorder, alexithymia, depression, anxiety, and gaming type in male and female young adults. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30616119/
   1. The study showed tht in male gamers, being alexithymic (Alexithymia is when an individual experiences difficulty with identifying and expressing emotion), being young, and having high anxiety and depression scores was associated with IGD. In female gamers, having less than a high school education and a high depression score was associated with IGD. In MOBA gamers, only the difficulty describing feelings factor was associated with IGD while in MMORPGs gamers, graduation from high school and anxiety scores were associated with IGD. Playing MOBA games could be a strategy to regulate emotions while playing MMORPG appears to be a maladaptive coping strategy to deal with negative affective disturbances. 
   2. Alexithymia and internet gaming disorder in the light of depression: A cross-sectional clinical study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35939974/
      1. The results reveal that alexithymia is associated with and predicts IGD severity independently of depression symptom severity. Moreover, alexithymia is highly prevalent in IGD patients.
4. Endocrine Stressors associated with Alexithymia https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31609924/
   1. This study showed that higher alexithymia scores are associated with stronger physiological responses, but lower anticipatory fear ratings and higher discomfort thresholds. We can see here that hormone dysfunction may be at play with alexithymia.
5. Internet Gaming Disorder: An Emergent Health Issue for Men https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29606034/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29606034/
   1. The Impact of Internet and Videogaming Addiction on Adolescent Vision: A Review of the Literature https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32195219/
6. During the past decade, vision problems that were attributed to the use of electronic screens have gradually shifted from being a workplace health issue to a wider public health issue. "Computer vision syndrome" originally related to the few professionals exposed to long hours of work in front of a computer screen. The widespread use of digital screens in devices used throughout the day have led to the emergence of "digital eye strain" as a new clinical syndrome that affects every individual who spends a large period of time fixated on multiple screens, for work or leisure. A new subcategory, "video game vision" has been proposed to specifically address vision issues related to large periods of continuous use of screen enabled devices in order to play video games. With gaming disorder being included in the next version of the WHO classification of diseases (ICD-11), it is becoming increasingly important to have a clear idea of the impact of this disorder in general health and functioning.
   1. Internet Gaming Disorder and addictionto nicotine (stimulant) increasing https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35049521/
      1. Many young adults have skipped smoking cigarettes and gone straight to vaping. Vaping has a higher concentration of nicotine than cigarettes and hence acts as a adensine blocker or stimulant. Stimulants are craved when circadian rhythm dysfunction is present, and the neuroendocrine system is not functioning well. We know that a high percentage of powerful blue light is emitted form computer screens and for those gamers who spend many hours on screens each day have high levels of exposure to this light interfering withthier neuroendocrine system.
7. IGD may be classified as an addiction showing its important to address clinically https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28198052/
8. General treatments for Internet gaming disorder and Internet addiction: A systematic review
   1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28921996/

 BioSpectral Systems is on a mission to help E-Sports Gamers all over the world to perform better, lower the risks of all Gaming illnesses, especially related to sleep and metabolic conditions and have enduring longevity in their profession.

Reach out if you'd like us to present to your E-Sports Team, like we did for the Canadian and Peruvian National E-Sports Teams!