Do you need grow room glasses?

Why You Need to Wear Grow Light Glasses and Which Ones Are Best

Grow lights output very high intensity light that can damage your eyes. Eyes can be damaged by grow lights in three different ways.

• UV exposure
• Blue light exposure
• IR Infrared exposure

Do LED grow lights emit harmful radiation?

LED grow lights do not emit UV or Infra red light in the wavelengths or intensity to damage your eyes. However LED grow lights emit blue light at high intensity and protection should be worn if you are working around them.

We tested the Blue light energy from a typical LED grow light and compared against the energy from the sun and on a cloudy day. As you can see the blue light energy from a grow light can exceed that of the sun when only 1ft or 30cm away and looking directly at the LED bars. If you are further away and not looking at them directly the risk is much lower, about the same as a cloudy day outdoors.

What are the best LED Grow Light glasses?

LED grow lights are popular because they are energy-efficient and can be customized to emit specific wavelengths of light. However, they often produce intense blue light, which can be harsh on the eyes.

Grow room glasses which filter out blue are the best for working around LED grow lights. The lenses will appear green, red or grey in colour.

Testing grow room glasses

We tested a range of glasses to see which filter out the damaging blue light. We looked at a range of grow shop and generic glasses to see which are most effective.

First we tested their ability to filter the damaging blue wavelengths of light. We compared the blue light intensity from sunlight with no filtering to see which glasses work best. As you can see they all reduced the blue light level to about the same as a cloudy day. The Method 7 glasses and the green glasses worked particularly well.

What wavelengths of light do grow room sunglasses filter out?

The colour of the lens in grow room glasses will determine the wavelengths that are allowed through and those that are filtered out. We tested each pair of glasses with a spectroradiometer in sunlight to see how they performed.

You can see the green glasses are best at filtering out the harmful blue and far red wavelengths with the Method 7 glasses in second place.

Best Grow light glasses for clear vision

We then tested the grow light glasses to see which allow the clearest image. The Generic black and the Method 7 glasses allow the best color representation. This is critical for growers to enable inspection of the health of the plants.

Do HID Grow lights (HPS and Metal Halide bulbs) emit harmful radiation?

High Intensity Discharge grow lights such as HPS and Metal Halide do emit some Infra Red radiation and Blue light so you should wear eye protection.

The best color grow room glasses for HPS are blue. This is because HPS outputs very little green light and makes plants look orange. The green glasses correct for this so that you can see better color representation.

Metal Halide Bulbs emit a lot of blue and therefore green, red or grey glasses will work best.

Do UV grow lights emit harmful radiation?

There are specialist fluorescent UVB grow lights which emit UVB and UVA. You should wear eye protection if you have to work in the grow room when the UVB grow lights are on.

Test of grow room glasses for UV protection

We also tested the ability of grow room and regular clear glasses to protect your eyes from harmful UVB radiation. Clear glasses reduce the UVB radiation reaching the eye by 60% and all of the grow room glasses tested reduced the UVB radiation buy over 99%.

Additional Considerations When Choosing Grow Light Glasses

When selecting grow light glasses, consider the following factors:

1. Lens Material: High-quality lenses, such as those made from polycarbonate, provide better protection and durability. Look for glasses with lenses that block 100% of UV rays and offer a blue light filter.

2. Comfort and Fit: Since you may be wearing these glasses for extended periods, comfort is crucial. Choose glasses with a lightweight frame and a secure fit. Adjustable nose pads and flexible temples can enhance comfort.

3. Durability: Gardening can be a physically demanding activity, so opt for glasses that are durable and resistant to scratches and impacts. Many grow light glasses come with anti-scratch coatings, which extend their lifespan.

4. Price: While it’s tempting to go for the cheapest option, investing in quality grow light glasses is essential for long-term eye health. Consider your budget, but don’t compromise on essential features like UV protection and comfort.

Conclusion

Grow light glasses are a crucial piece of equipment for anyone involved in indoor gardening or hydroponics. They protect your eyes from the harmful effects of UV radiation, blue light, and intense brightness while enhancing your ability to monitor and care for your plants.

When choosing the right pair, consider the type of grow lights you use, as well as factors like lens material, comfort, and color correction. By investing in a quality pair of grow light glasses, you’re not only safeguarding your vision but also ensuring that your indoor gardening efforts are as successful as possible.