In this review/blog, we will cover why the TrueDark Elites and the TrueDark Aviators are our top favorite pairs of blue-blocking glasses by our favorite brand, TrueDark. We have used them extensively. Near the bottom of the blog is where you will find our review of the TrueDark Elites. 

We have written extensively about the magnificent effects that light can have on one’s physiology. Light can be used for therapeutic purposes when utilized with the right kind of light at the right times, such as red light therapy (check out our Red Light Guide). Light can also be an extremely toxic environmental stressor if one is exposed to the wrong spectrum of light at the wrong times, particularly artificial man-made lights within the blue dominant light spectrum. 

Light is addictive; light is a drug. We also have an EMF Guide; check that out here. It’s all part of environmental “invisible” stressors. Environmental stress is huge because, more often than not, we focus on everything else but our light, our EMF exposure, pollution, toxic chemicals, air quality, etc.

What is Blue Light, and Why is Natural Sunlight Different?

Blue light, by itself, is present in sunlight, but it has 6 other colors with it. The sun emits all colors of light, including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Sunlight is 42% infrared, nature’s version of photodynamic therapy. Blue is a high energy, short wavelength light, and red/orange is a lower energy, long wavelength light. Blue light has to have its antidote, red light, which is always present with blue light in nature. 

Factory setting screens from artificial devices typically have their color temperature set to 5750. This color temperature is consistent with solar noon. This being said, if you are in an office, the best thing you can do is buy a red light therapy device from the best brand that we recommend (GembaRed – Code MGS10 for 10% Off). Having a strong red ambient light source that is constantly on in the background (with a low flicker rate/EMF output) is an incredible stress-reducing health hack because it balances the pure blue spectrum that we find in most offices with a pure red spectrum. You can place it in the corner of the room facing towards your screen or from your screen, with it pointing towards your general direction. Basically, the red light device bleeds/cuts through the pure blue rays emitting from your screen and from the blue lights directly overhead. 

Blue Light Can Be Healthy.

Again, if you haven’t already checked out our Red Light blog or our extensive Blue Light blog, then please do so and click on those links mentioned above. The thing is, blue light CAN be healthy; it CAN be beneficial. In fact, blue light is responsible for signaling to your brain that it is time to wake up in the morning or go to sleep at night. 

We require A.M. sunlight to program our melatonin to release at night time. Again, when blue light is isolated without the full spectrum of light, that is when most of these problems arise. Just a tiny bit of artificial blue light at night can shut off the release of your melatonin for up to 4 hours. Basically, this means it takes 4 hours of darkness to release melatonin.

We have blue light detectors in our eyes, arteries, and skin. So if you are in public at night, such as at Home Depot, it is important to dress up accordingly, possibly wear a hat, and most definitely put on some TrueDark blue-blocking glasses to at least mitigate some of the unnatural stress. Every time you look at a screen, no matter what time, your brain gets the message that it’s solar noon, which screws up the circadian mechanisms in the eye. 

Blue light basically makes you breathe less and sleep less and has hugely detrimental effects on your basal metabolic rate. This is why the effects of blue light are so catastrophic. Blue light toxicity yields massive amounts of negative effects throughout the entire body. On average, most kids and teenagers look at their screens around 150+ times a day, probably way more. In fact, most Americans spend, on average, a total of 17 hours in front of screens daily. This is why, more than ever before, we NEED to protect our eyes. 

Here are a few studies on blue light. If you want more, then check out our extensive Light Blog.

Longevity Effects:

One study showed that daily blue light exposure shortens lifespan and causes brain neurodegeneration in Drosophila, demonstrating that exposure to blue light for 10-12 hours daily results in more than a 50% reduction in lifespan. It also shows that excessive blue light exposure (especially at night) induces neurodegenerative changes and systemic biomarkers of accelerated aging. (Source)

Blood Sugar Effects:

People need to be aware of the collateral effects of melatonin. Yes, it affects sleep, but blue light by itself raises blood glucose and insulin. If you are blue light toxic, it is equivalent to you eating 5 cheesecakes a day. That has profound effects on the immune system, blood glucose, and insulin rise; you are at much higher risk for “viral disease,” but also at much higher risk for mold and fungal infections. (Source)

Both Blue Light and EMF have a plethora of studies showcasing a direct correlation to a wide range of negative health consequences. Some of these negative health consequences include:

1. Insomnia

2. Weight-gain

3. Mood disorders

4. Diabetes

5. Heart Disease

6. And even Cancer!

How Do We Begin to Mitigate Our Environmental Stress?

There are a lot of studies on this topic that we mention in our other extensive blogs, but these are some of our favorites. Dr. Jack Kruse, Ph.D., believes modifying your light exposure and your environmental stressors are by far the most important aspects of achieving optimal health. So what does he mean by this?

1. Get morning sunlight in the eyes and on the skin within about 15-45 minutes of sunrise. Also, utilize red lights (low flicker, low EMF GembaRed) at night and do your best to be asleep by 8-10 P.M. Just be in bed at a reasonable time, a few minutes/hours after sunset.

2. Protect your eyes with blue-blocking glasses (we like TrueDark & Ra Optics; use code MGS for 10% off) when you are using an artificially lit device such as your phone, laptop, or even just artificial lights inside. It’s ideal to block all of these forms of junk light. Also, changing the bulbs in our house and work environment provides quite an advantage. GembaRed sells these Screw-In Corn Cob red (low flicker) LED lights, which we are actually in love with. They are incredible!

3. EMF Mitigation: (Check out our Blushield EMF Protection Guide here) Utilize a Blushield EMF protection device. We use the Blushield watches, and we have noticed quite a difference when we are in the cities or at a local cafe with Wi-Fi and dozens of people present. Turn off your Wi-Fi router at night, use technology less, and never place a laptop, phone, or tablet on or near your body. Use airplane mode whenever you can, or use an EMF protection sleeve for your phone. This means turning your phone off or switching to airplane mode if you have it in your sports bra, in your pants, or near your head. Never use a phone near your head; the data about how harmful that can be is far too evident to do so.

4. Cloth yourself properly and utilize a non-polyester hat (not a tinfoil cap) when you go shopping at night under these mad scientist lab lights; remember, our skin also has blue light receptors. There are companies like Lambs that make underwear and beanies lined with silver threads to protect against EMF exposure as well; it’s worth checking out, although I will say some of their stuff was a bit tight.

Out of all of these environmental biology hacks, by far, it is the most important to protect the EYES from artificial, man-made blue light. It’s toxic, and it’s everywhere we go. In 2023, it’s only getting worse. The bulbs are becoming brighter, more powerful, and surprisingly more blue. They also act as great under-eye blockers for when I don’t get enough sleep or am up late mindlessly scrolling through the interweb.

Let’s Discuss TrueDark Glasses

We have used TrueDark Blue Blocking Glasses for over 5 years. We recommend RA Optics as well, but this guide/review is geared more towards TrueDark. TrueDark has extended its range of styles extensively over the last few years. 

We have had a few pairs of TrueDark glasses: the Fairlane (wayfarer style), the Aviators, and our favorite, the Elites. Unfortunately, Fairlane’s broke twice on me, but their customer service was unbelievable, and they handled it accordingly. For the record, I have a very poor track record with any pair of sunglasses, so I would not fault the manufacturer for this. I sat on them twice.

Let’s break down the differences between each one. First of all, what makes TrueDark and Ra Optics unique are not only the color tints but all the layers of special films they apply to each pair of their blue blockers, hence why it’s essential you utilize a soft lens cleaner/cloth rather than a harsh or abrasive stripping agent. We will cover some of the in-depth features and characteristics of why we recommend paying the price for a decent pair of blue-blocking glasses rather than opting for a cheap Amazon alternative.

Different Tints that TrueDark Offers

There are Daytime models (Clear/Yellow/Amber + Transition Models, which are basically sunglasses), and then there are Nighttime Models (Light red, Dark red, and Gradient versions of both). Most of their models feature anti-reflective, scratch-resistant, polarized polycarbonate lenses. The clear ones are not polarized. 

1. The Clear tint is roughly 40% blue blocking.

2. The Yellow tint is roughly 70% blue blocking.

3. The Amber tint is a bit more protection, about 75% or more blue blocking.

4. The Light Red tint is even more, somewhere around 85% blue blocking. They also have red transition glasses and other red-tinted glasses with a gradient effect on them (The Twilight Sunset Aviators have this and other sunset models). Basically, it’s darker higher up and then lighter, almost amber, towards the bottom of the lenses.

5. The Super Dark Red glasses (100% blue blocking) are for serious blue blocking capabilities. For someone who is on a screen all day, especially at night, and wants to optimize their health, these are for them. These were the very first ones I tried. When both Nathan and I used to write a lot of blogs, the sensation was unbelievably real and very noticeable. These are found in the TrueDark Classics. They look very, let’s just say, special. Not fashionable, but man, do you feel fashionable inside.

Which Ones Are Our Favorites?

Our favorites are easily, hands down, the TrueDark Elite models, more specifically, the TrueDark Elite PAIR or set. One is yellow; one is red. They are housed in an aluminum frame, and they look decent on almost everybody unless you have a really small/thin head. I’ve bought this pair (both red and yellow lenses) twice. So has Nathan. They have stood the test of time, even through all the wear and tear/abuse both Nathan and I have put them through. In fact, we are so impressed by them we recommend this exact pair to everyone. The aviators look cool, and people compliment me on them all the time, I will say. They are a little set apart from traditional Ray-Ban aviators, but nonetheless, they are definitely their most stylish option available, in my opinion. 

Surprisingly, their aviator models have lasted for quite some time. Our friends have shared the same experience. They are also housed in an aluminum frame (a little less sturdy and durable, in my opinion, but zero complaints). I do have to say, their TrueDark WayFarer/Fairline Model is a pair that we recommend NOT buying. Not only did I sit on one pair, but one pair literally disassembled itself within a few months after very careful use. So, no, we cannot recommend this company as a whole, but nonetheless, their customer service is always above and beyond our expectations.

Again, we cannot say enough good things about the TrueDark Elites. They are sturdy, reliable, noticeably effective, clear, and surprisingly cost-efficient. We use the Elites everywhere, whether we are out late at parties, get-togethers, or shopping for groceries. Sometimes, they look a little bit like safety glasses, but keep them properly clean with a soft lens cloth, and they will last indefinitely. 

Sources:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31636947/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31646762/

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