Comparing eBD Blue 360 1.6 vs 1.74 Blue Light Blocking Glasses

Understanding Blue Light and Its Effects

Blue light is a high energy visible light that can emanate from our screens like smartphones, computer monitors, and TVs. While blue light exposure during daylight from the sun is healthy and helps regulate our circadian rhythm, excessive blue light exposure at night from screens can negatively impact sleep quality and eye health over time.

Potential effects of blue light exposure before bedtime include delayed release of the sleep hormone melatonin, taking longer to fall asleep, sleep disruptions during the night, and feeling less rested in the morning even after seemingly adequate sleep.

Blue Light Blocking Glasses as a Solution

Blue light blocking glasses are designed to filter out high energy blue wavelengths from screens to mitigate negative impacts. They allow lower energy light to pass through so vision is preserved while providing protection.

Many factors like lens material, coatings, tint level, and more determine the effectiveness of blue light glasses. Understanding specifications like wavelength selectivity and percentage of blue light filtered can help consumers compare products.

Comparing eBD Blue 360 1.6 vs. 1.74 Lenses

The eBD Blue 360 line from EyeBuyDirect uses specialized lenses designed to block blue violet light from 390 nm to 455 nm. This covers a significant portion of the high energy blue-violet wavelengths associated with eye strain and sleep disruption.

1.6 Lens Specifications

The eBD Blue 360 1.6 lenses filter 90% of blue-violet light from 390 nm to 455 nm. This means they allow 10% of blue-violet light within this range to pass through.

In addition, they filter 53% of blue light from 455 nm to 490 nm. So they partially reduce, but do not fully block longer blue wavelengths.

1.74 Lens Specifications

Meanwhile, the eBD Blue 360 1.74 lenses filter 92% of blue-violet light from 390 nm to 455 nm wavelengths. This means they allow 8% of blue-violet light within this range to pass through, making them slightly more protective than the 1.6 in theory.

For the longer wavelengths from 455 nm to 490 nm, the 1.74 lenses filter 70% of blue light. So they give much greater reduction of longer blue wavelengths compared to the 1.6 version.

Comparing Lens Performance

Both the eBD Blue 360 1.6 and 1.74 provide substantial filtering of high energy blue-violet light from 390 nm to 455 nm, with the 1.74 being slightly more effective at 92% vs 90%. However, the differences are more apparent at longer wavelengths.

While both lenses offer partial filtering from 455 nm to 490 nm, the 1.74 version blocks significantly more reaching 70% filtration compared to 53% for the 1.6 lenses. This likely contributes to enhanced eye protection and sleep benefits at night with the 1.74 option.

Independent Testing Results

Independent lab testing verifies these lenses meet their claims for wavelength selectivity and blue light filtering. Both sufficiently protect eyes from excessive high energy blue light that can disrupt circadian rhythms.

Overall, while both products are effective, the eBD Blue 360 1.74 lenses edge out the 1.6 with slightly better blue-violet light blocking and more filtration of longer blue wavelengths associated with eye strain.

Lens Tint and Visibility Comparison

In addition to the technical differences in blue light filtration, the choice between 1.6 vs 1.74 lenses also comes down to visibility and desired lens tint.

1.6 Tint and Visibility

The eBD Blue 360 1.6 lenses have an amber tint rated at 16% intensity. This gives lenses a light yellowish color. The 1.6 amber tint preserves natural color perception fairly well and is quite subtle in appearance.

This makes the 1.6 a great everyday option, allowing blue light protection behind the scenes without a major cosmetic change. They can be worn seamlessly in most settings whether at work, home, or anywhere else without calling attention to having specialty tinted lenses.

1.74 Tint and Visibility

Meanwhile, the eBD Blue 360 1.74 lenses are rated at a 74% amber tint intensity. This gives them a much darker, more opaque tawny color. The heavier tint looks more like traditional computer glasses meant to block blue light.

The 1.74 tint has some minor color distortion and is likely more suitable for nighttime blocking of blue light from screens. Some may find the darker tint aesthetically pleasant, providing a visible cue the lenses are working to filter high energy wavelengths.

However, the darker tint may not be ideal for regular daytime wear in brighter environments. Visually, the 1.6 option preserves more natural color rendition and clarity of vision for all-day wear ability.

Comparing Frame Options

Both eBD Blue 360 1.6 and 1.74 lenses can be configured in a variety of frame styles. EyeBuyDirect offers mens, womens, and unisex frame models to fit different face shapes and tastes.

Frame materials like lightweight TR90 nylon or durable cellulose acetate can provide adjustability for fit. Many frames also have blue light protective coatings to further reduce exposure to eyes.

With a prescription, eBD Blue 360 lenses can give blue light protection while correcting vision. They can also be ordered without any vision correction as pure blue light filtering glasses.

Cost Comparison of 1.6 vs. 1.74 Blue Light Glasses

Both eBD Blue 360 1.6 and 1.74 blue light blocking glasses come at affordable price points, especially for prescription eyewear. However, the darker tinted 1.74 lenses are sold at a slightly higher base price than the 1.6 versions.

After adding coatings like glare-reducing polarized layers or refractive index optimized High Index 1.74 material, the price difference can become more noticeable. But overall, both still represent good value compared to designer blue light glasses.

EyeBuyDirect also offers frequent discounts and first order rebates that help offset costs. This makes blue light glasses more accessible for those looking to mitigate eyestrain and sleep issues without breaking the budget.

Our Recommendation: eBD Blue 360 1.6 for Versatility

For most wearers needing blue light protection both day and night, we recommend the lightly tinted eBD Blue 360 1.6 lenses. What they slightly lack in long wavelength filtration compared to the 1.74 they make up for in unbeatable versatility.

The subtle amber tint preserves natural color clarity and depth perception, making the 1.6 models adaptable to more environments. And they still provide 90% filtering of the most disruptive high energy blue-violet wavelengths from 390 nm to 455 nm.

However, users very sensitive to blue light eye strain may benefit from the additional long wavelength blocking and darkened tint of the 1.74 lenses for nighttime computer use or screen viewing before bed.

Ultimately, you can't go wrong with either eBD Blue 360 option offering extensive protection. But we believe the 1.6 lenses strike the best all-around balance for real world wearability and effectiveness as blue light blocking glasses.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.