BARNER Prescription Blue Light Glasses Review – Stylish Protection for Your Eyes

In today‘s digital age, we spend a huge chunk of our waking hours staring at screens – whether it‘s working on a computer, scrolling through social media on a phone, or binge-watching the latest Netflix series. While this technology enhances our lives in many ways, it also exposes our eyes to high levels of blue light that can take a serious toll on eye health and sleep patterns over time.

Thankfully, more people are waking up to the importance of protecting their eyes from digital eye strain and the harmful effects of blue light. One brand at the forefront of this movement is BARNER, a company founded in 2017 by two friends in Barcelona, Spain who wanted to create blue light blocking glasses that enhanced their customers‘ health without compromising on style.

In just a few short years, BARNER has exploded in popularity, selling over 15,000 pairs of glasses to customers in 81 countries. With a strong presence on crowdfunding platforms and social media (nearly 100k followers on Instagram alone), BARNER has been featured in major publications like Allure and New York Magazine.

So what makes BARNER glasses stand out from the competition? Are they truly effective at filtering out blue light and reducing digital eye strain? In this comprehensive BARNER Prescription Blue Light Glasses review, we‘ll take a deep dive into the brand‘s origin story, their cutting-edge lens technology, bestselling frames for men, women and children, and real customer experiences.

By the end, you‘ll have all the information you need to decide if BARNER blue light glasses are the right choice for your eyes and your lifestyle. Let‘s jump in!

The Dangers of Blue Light: Why You Need to Protect Your Eyes

Before we get into the specifics of BARNER glasses, let‘s talk about why you should even care about blue light in the first place. While the full spectrum of light contains many different colors, blue light has the shortest wavelength and highest energy. This means it can penetrate straight through to the back of your eye (the retina).

Some studies have shown that overexposure to blue light can increase the risk of eye issues like macular degeneration later in life. But in the short-term, the most common problems associated with too much screen time are:

• Digital eye strain (sore, tired, burning eyes)
• Headaches and migraines
• Blurred or double vision
• Neck, shoulder and back pain
• Difficulty falling asleep and poor sleep quality

According to The Vision Council, 59% of American adults report experiencing symptoms of digital eye strain. And with remote work and Zoom school becoming the norm for many families in 2020, those numbers have likely gone up.

Blue light exposure is especially problematic at night, as it tricks your brain into thinking it‘s daytime and disrupts your natural sleep-wake cycle. Harvard researchers found that blue light suppresses the secretion of melatonin (the sleep hormone) more than any other type of light. To reduce the effects of nighttime blue light exposure, experts recommend:

• Limiting screen time 2-3 hours before bed
• Using night mode or installing blue light filtering software on devices
• Wearing amber-tinted blue light glasses at night

But for all-day protection from blue light, a clear lens that filters out the harmful wavelengths without distorting color perception is ideal. That‘s where BARNER glasses come in.

How BARNER Blue Light Glasses Work

Unlike some blue light glasses on the market that have an unsightly orange or amber tint, BARNER uses a colorless lens that blocks 100% of blue light in the 380-410 nm range, and 45% of blue light in the 410-450 nm range. According to BARNER‘s website, this is the "equivalent to wearing sunglasses with 45% visual light transmission."

So how do these glasses provide blue light protection while maintaining optical clarity? The secret is a special polymer filter that‘s infused directly into the lens material, rather than just applied as a coating. This means the blue light protection won‘t scratch or wear off over time.

In addition to blue light filters, all BARNER lenses also come with:

• Anti-reflective coating to reduce glare
• Hard coating for increased durability and scratch resistance
• Anti-static layer to repel dust
• Super hydrophobic coating to repel water, sweat and skin oils

These high-tech lenses are lightweight, easy to clean, and designed to provide all-day comfort for your eyes. And if you already wear prescription glasses, you‘ll be happy to know that BARNER offers single vision, progressive, and reading lenses with your unique prescription for an additional $65.

BARNER Glasses Collections for Men, Women and Kids

Now that we‘ve established why BARNER‘s blue light lenses are so effective, let‘s talk about the frames. After all, you want glasses that will make you look and feel your best!

With three core collections – Chroma, Mazzu and Metal – BARNER offers a wide range of modern, stylish frames for every face shape and aesthetic. Here are some of the most popular BARNER blue light glasses for men, women and kids:

Best BARNER Glasses for Men

• Silver Matte Recoleta: A modern take on the classic round glasses shape, made from ultra-lightweight stainless steel with a unique matte silver finish and multicolor marbling on the arms. ($99)

• Crystal Brown Kreuzberg: Softer square shaped frames made from glossy, hand-polished Mazzucchelli acetate with German OBE hinges. A great everyday glasses style that‘s supremely comfortable. ($125)

• Black Noir Shoreditch: Bookish, rounded frames with slightly pointed corners for an architectural look. Also made from polished Mazzucchelli acetate for long-lasting quality. ($125)

Best BARNER Glasses for Women

• Navy Blue Chamberi: BARNER‘s #1 bestselling women‘s frames with a softly rounded eye shape, keyhole nose bridge, and rubberized temple tips for grip. Made from lightweight, flexible TR90 plastic. ($75)

• Honey Chamberi: The same universally-flattering Chamberi shape in a honey-colored crystal acetate that‘s both trendy and timeless. ($75)

• Rose Theatre: A fabulous cat-eye shape in glossy acetate with gold metal accents at the hinges and endpoints. Can be fitted with BARNER blue light filtering lenses. ($115)

BARNER Glasses for Kids & Teens

• Black Noir Le Marais: Unisex, medium-thick round frames made from ultra-lightweight TR90 with shock-resistant temples and anti-slip nose pads. A cool, comfortable choice for style-savvy kids. ($69)

• Ruby Red Le Marais: The same durable, lightweight Le Marais shape in a vibrant, confidence-boosting red that kids will get excited to wear. ($69)

All of BARNER‘s acetate and TR90 frames are hypoallergenic, and the adjustable nose pads and spring hinges ensure a comfortable fit for any face size or shape. The brand also offers a virtual try-on tool so you can see how different frames look on your face before buying.

BARNER Customer Reviews: What Are People Saying?

We‘ve covered the technical details of BARNER glasses, but the real test is how they hold up in the real world with real customers. The good news? BARNER has earned rave reviews for both the quality of its product and its customer service.

On BARNER‘s website, all of the brand‘s bestselling glasses (including Le Marais, Chamberi, Dalston, Shoreditch and Kreuzberg) have a perfect 5 out of 5 star rating. Customers praise the glasses for being "comfortable, light, flexible, and durable" and for significantly reducing eye strain and headaches from computer use.

One happy customer writes, "I‘ve spent a lot of time on my devices and I did notice I don‘t get those horrible headaches anymore." Others appreciate how quickly the glasses shipped and how promptly the BARNER team responds to any questions or concerns.

On Trustpilot, BARNER has an average rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars from 129 reviews. 63% of these reviews are a perfect 5 stars, with customers calling out the "unbeatable" customer service and high-quality frames.

The few 1-star reviews cite issues with international customs fees or the cost of returns – but not the quality of BARNER‘s blue light lenses. In most cases, the BARNER team has responded to negative reviews to resolve the issue or offer a refund.

An in-depth review from Eye Influence notes that BARNER‘s "virtually colorless" lenses and anti-reflective coating "made looking through the glasses very pleasant." The reviewer also found that the flexible spring hinges provided a very comfortable fit without pinching.

The only downside mentioned? BARNER has a smaller frame selection compared to some other brands. However, the reviewer notes that BARNER‘s quality standards are extremely high – on par with designer frames that cost twice as much.

How BARNER Stacks Up to the Competition

BARNER isn‘t the only brand making blue light glasses – in fact, there are dozens of options on the market at wildly different price points. One of the most well-known competitors is GUNNAR Optiks, which specializes in gaming and computer glasses.

The main difference between BARNER and GUNNAR is that GUNNAR offers heavily tinted lenses in amber, clear, and sun (outdoor) varieties. While this might be ideal for gaming, the yellow tint isn‘t the most pleasant for all-day use.

GUNNAR‘s frames also tend to be chunkier and more masculine in style, while BARNER offers sleeker, more diverse frame options that work for both men and women. In terms of price, GUNNAR‘s non-prescription glasses start at $49 and go up to $149 for specialty tints, which is on par with BARNER‘s $69-$125 price range.

Another potential advantage of BARNER is that its frames are designed specifically for prescription lenses (with a $65 upcharge), whereas GUNNAR frames have to be sent to a separate optical lab for prescription lenses at an additional cost.

All in all, BARNER is a solid choice if you‘re looking for all-day wearable, virtually clear blue light protection in a stylish package – especially if you need prescription lenses.

BARNER‘s Commitment to Sustainability

Beyond making high-quality blue light glasses, BARNER is committed to making a positive impact on the planet. The brand is a certified B Corporation, which means it meets rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

Here are just a few of the ways BARNER is working to reduce its carbon footprint and give back to communities in need:

• Using recycled and bio-based materials in its glasses cases and packaging
• Partnering with reforestation non-profits like One Tree Planted to plant a tree for every pair of glasses sold
• Donating a portion of profits to provide eye exams and glasses to underserved communities
• Offsetting the carbon emissions from its supply chain and operations
• Offering a recycling program for customers to send back their old BARNER glasses to be repurposed or recycled

By choosing BARNER, you can feel good knowing that you‘re not only investing in your own eye health, but also supporting a company that‘s actively working to create positive change.

How to Order BARNER Blue Light Glasses

Ready to see the difference BARNER glasses can make for your eyes and your digital wellness? Here‘s how to order your first pair:

1. Visit barnerbrand.com and browse the collections to find your perfect style. (Don‘t forget to use the virtual try-on tool!)

2. Choose your color, size, and lens type (blue light filtering or prescription).

3. For prescription orders, upload a photo of your prescription or enter the details manually.

4. Add your glasses to the cart and proceed to checkout. All orders over $106 qualify for free worldwide shipping!

5. Create an account and enter your shipping and payment details. (Pro tip: You can get 10% off by signing up for BARNER‘s email newsletter.)

Most orders ship within 48 hours, with expected delivery times of 1-3 business days in Europe, 2-6 days in the US, and 6-8 days in other countries. You‘ll also get a 2-year warranty and 30-day free return policy (excluding prescription lenses unless defective).

The Final Verdict: Are BARNER Glasses Worth It?

We‘ve covered a lot of ground in this BARNER blue light glasses review, but the ultimate question remains: Are they worth the investment for your eye health and digital lifestyle?

In short, the answer is a resounding yes – especially if you‘re someone who spends 2+ hours per day looking at screens. BARNER‘s cutting-edge lens technology, high-quality materials, and stylish designs make them a top choice for anyone seeking all-day blue light protection without compromising their look.

While there may be cheaper blue light glasses on the market, BARNER‘s commitment to customer service, sustainability, and giving back justifies the slightly higher price point. Plus, the ability to add your prescription and keep your eyes happy behind a single pair of frames is a huge convenience factor.

Ultimately, the best way to know if BARNER glasses are right for you is to give them a try. With free shipping, a generous return policy, and thousands of satisfied customers around the world, you can shop with confidence knowing that you‘re investing in a product that‘s backed by science and designed with your health and wellness in mind.