I don't wear glasses and have perfect vision. However, I do have a mild tendency to overuse the computer. Heck, I earned myself a Guinness World Record for playing PC games for 36 hours straight.

Looking for a solution to keep my eye sight at an optimum level, I turned to Gunnar Optiks, a relatively new tech company pioneering the usage of digital performance eyewear to enhance visual performance and comfort when viewing a screen for extended periods of time. Utilizing an amber color tint, these glasses have been formulated specifically for gamers with a Major League Gaming (MLG) line.

I wasn't sure what to think of these at first. They were stylish. But for a guy who never wears glasses, what's the point of wearing a pair now? So I tried them on for a good month, sporting them every day when I'm on the computer. Now I instinctively put them on whenever I need to stare at the screen for any period of time.  To my surprise they really work. And here's what did it for me.

The i-AMP lens technology is scientifically proven

Even after hours of computer usage on a large LCD monitor, there's a noticeable difference in eye strain when compared to long computer durations without the Gunnar’s. The amber tint improves eye focus, reduces glare and blocks artificial/reflective light. Noticeable immediately is the increase in contrast, making text and fast moving images clearer regardless of their brightness level. The glasses also magnify the images slightly, which is great given the clarity detail they retain. The lens coating actually blocks out 99.7% of glare that is created from surrounding surfaces, which make the glasses a good choice for indoor daytime usage as well. This is similar to the technology used for glasses that many pro atheletes use.

The slight amber tint might be hard for some to get used to in its first initial uses, but like 3D anaglyph glasses, they become less noticeable after your eyes gradually get used to the color. For a pair of glasses that prevent digital eye fatigue, that's not too much of an issue. Even after playing a five hour Everquest II session, my eyes held up rather well despite the slight color modification.

"Light as a feather" comfort

Comfortable eyewear was extremely important to me, since I never wear glasses. Gladly, these things simply aren't noticeable even after extended usage. That's because the glasses use a combination of frameless designs and very thin frames. These are designed to be used indoor only (using them for any other reason will result in some blurriness since these glasses are neoscopic for near viewing).

Fashionable looks for geeks

Without a doubt, Gunnar Optiks simply look cool for computer users to wear. Although you won't be taking these out while going shopping (Gunnar has another line specifically for outdoor usage), these things can actually help your inner-geeky personality. With varying styles ranging from Aviator's to half-fives, it's like you are sporting the signature glasses of U2's Bono. It's not that surprising considering that Joe Croft, one of the company's co-founders, came from eyewear giant Oakley before starting his own business. Even pro gamers like 'Lil Poison and celebrities like 50 Cent and Soulja Boy are using Gunnars.

Versatile product lines for graphic designers and 3D early adopters

Due to popular demand, Gunnar has introduced the upcoming CRySTAL line designed specifically for the graphic designer, video/film editor or creative visual artist that requires an equally balanced color spectrum. These glasses, seen on the Gunnar website, look just as stylish as the default amber glasses and also prove Gunnar's expansion in the eyewear marketplace.  So why stop there? Gunnar is also working on 3D specs to be available in Q2 of 2010. With the rush of 3D announcements at CES earlier this year, Gunnar certainly isn't tapping out. These glasses are supposed to bridge the level of style and visual performance for the rapidly rising trend. Thankfully, these new lines give us that luxury. And yes these product lines, like the current ones, are also available in prescription.

A must have for LAN-parties, gaming marathons and dark offices

My pair of Gunnars, Halogen (Espresso Color) glasses, were worn during several LAN parties and long-winded game play sessions and noticeably improved my performance. I was able to see snipers from afar a lot easier and I didn't have to stop playing even after several hours of constant play. One analogy I thought of was the glasses' similarity to refresh rates with TVs and monitors. You don't need the tech upgrade, but they're easier on the eyes and make fast moving action much more fluid. Dark offices, with heavy emphasis on monitor backlighting, tend to have more of a negative effect on the eyes than ones that filter out the light rays throughout the room. By turning lights off during long PC sessions, I was also relying heavily on the Gunnar's contrast enhancing capabilities. To come out with a drastic decrease in eyestrain from these numerous situations, most gamers like me should take notice and sacrifice the need for buying multiple energy drinks. After all, I plan to be playing videogames until my eyesight goes ka-put anyway.

I can throw stats out all day like how more than 143 million Americans worked on a computer each day and 88% of them suffered from computer eyestrain. We all know we spend way too much time staring at a computer monitor. And while I was aware of how tired my eyes were each day after 8 hour computer marathons, I never really did much about it. When Gunnar shipped The Kartel these glasses, I wasn't the first one to volunteer. But alas they really do work to my surprise. It's not the kind of thing you just try once or twice and make a decision.

Glasses range from the $80 range to near $150, which is close to the range for a pair of name brand glasses, so it is an investment and not for the casual gamer.

Fun Fact: Gunnar Optiks LLC co-founder Jennifer Michelsen's oldest son is named Gunnar. That's where she got the idea from for the name of the glasses.

[Edited By Moderator]