Here's a new idea: write about something while testing it, because it takes time to use. While it's certainly not new, considering the product in question, it feels like a worthy cause.

Gunnar Optiks, a company based out of San Diego, makes glasses specifically for use on the computer, or other light-emiting screens, such as cellphones, TV's, etc. Stuff that normally people stare at for long periods of time and irritates the eyes. After speaking with them about the glasses, they sent over a pair for me to test out.

I was warned that it would take some time to adjust, anywhere from a day to a week. That adjusting to the glasses would be like getting used to wearing normal lenses for bad vision, something I've experienced in the past and found very uncomfortable.

Considering my spree of 5-8 hours in front of a bright and not-so-beautiful monitor or laptop as of late, I figured I should get started right away. And now I'm extremely fatigued.

It arrived at roughly 11am this morning, when I wasn't there to receive it. I started wearing them at about 1:30 for half an hour and was immediately thrown off by the difference. The difference isn't great, but you feel it immediately.

Nathan May over at Gunnar said that this would happen, that everyone says they feel the difference right away, but that the real benefits come after your eyes truly adjust. And I'm going through the growing pains now.

From about 3-7 I was on my computer, blogging and typing away, wearing the glasses all the while (yes, I got up intermittently). I had to take a break about 45 minutes in because my eyes became extremely dry and irritated, and I literally sat outside and just stared into the clear sky for 15 minutes, blinking aplenty. When I felt better, I went back in and didn't get up again for more than a few minutes.

At about 8, I noticed my left eye was irritated, just under my eye by the bone. I'm not entirely certain that the strain my eyes had caused this, but it is possible.

What I've really noticed is how the glasses cut alot of the brightness out of the monitor, which I find especially great. Normally, I set my monitor for the lowest contrast and brightness because after 20 minutes of even half brightness, my eyes are watering. With the Gunnar's, I've had it at 50-50 for brightness-contrast. And no problems.

However, it has made it very difficult to concentrate today, and I feel the beginnings of a headache coming on, as well as slightly blurry vision. Most likely from the added strain Nathan said I would feel, nothing that a good night's rest (when does that ever happen) wouldn't fix.

In any case, day 1 looks good. Tomorrow, I'll use them for the full day to see how well they perform both inside and out.