In the past decade or so, a few companies have focused on making glasses that help block strain-inducing blue light and decrease eye strain. Gunnar Optiks is one of those companies leading the charge.

Gunnar Optiks has been around since 2006. However, the company has become much more prominent in the last few years because of the exponential growth of gaming. At Twitchcon, we sat down with the company’s Assistant Marketing Manager Ryan Jaress to talk about the company’s start, its success, collaborative efforts, and plans for the future.

GameSkinny: How did the idea for Gunnar glasses originally come about?

GS: What has the success you’ve seen since 2006 been like?

We developed amber tinted lenses that block 65% of blue light, which were originally for doctors and those in offices just in front of a screen, but ultimately, gamers were the ones who saw the need first. So here we are today, being known as the number one gaming glasses. We’ve been around since 2006, and we’re continuously growing.

Through history’s past, we’ve partnered with gaming companies such as MLG, and currently, we’re partnered with the top gaming peripheral company Razer as well as top gaming company producer Ubisoft. So we’re continuously building our partnerships to further advance our authority as the leaders in digital eye protection. Over the years, we’ve continuously partnered with very heavy hitters throughout our time — since 2006.

GS: Can you tell us more about your partnership with Ubisoft?

GS: Speaking of collaborations, you also recently collaborated with Game Grumps, and I know many people were introduced to your products through them. Can you tell me more about that?

Also, there’s something in the pipeline with a little more of a competitive feeling to it, so be sure to look out for that in the near future — probably mid-October.

GS: What are some of Gunnar’s goals for the future?

As a personalized touch, The Pixel Pink Enigma glasses have Arin’s signature and the Cobalt Enigma glasses have Dan’s Signature on the left temple. 

GS: When we were talking earlier, you mentioned making glasses for younger individuals. Can you tell us more about that?

GS: For your sunglasses, the description on the website mentions the circadian rhythm. Can you tell us about that?

We’re also making glasses for even younger generations to come in the near future, such as ages four to eight and eight to 12.

GS: So when we were talking earlier you mentioned compatibility with headphones/headsets, and as someone who wears both glasses and headphones or a headset at the same time and gets uncomfortable after a while, I feel this is a great idea. Can you tell us more about that?

So when you’re outside you can look at a phone, you can look at a camera, or laptop, while you’re protecting your eyes from the sun and from the screen at the same time.

It’s rather clear to see that those at Gunnar Optiks put plenty of care into their products. Besides Game Grumps, plenty of other ambassadors swear by them, too. 

For headset compatibility, we have made a few frames that have very flat temples to reduce the pressure of headset wearers. A few examples are Vayper, FPS Designed by Razer, and Torpedo.

You can order Gunnar glasses through their official website or at their booth at various conventions. If your order products at a convention, Gunnar provides a 20% discount.