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Sunglass Lenses

Tinted Lenses

As opposed to changeable photochromics, another option for coloured lenses is applying a tint, which remains constant at all times. Tints are available on plastic as well as glass lenses and can be had in almost any color of the rainbow. Lighter, fashion tints are used primarily for cosmetic purposes to enhance a wearers looks. Darker tints allow the wearer to use the lenses as sunglasses. As well, all of Spectacle's tinted lenses offer 100% protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Photochromatic Lenses

If you wear regular clear lenses, the glare of the sun can cause you to squint and strain your eyes and make it difficult to see objects clearly in bright light. Through advanced technology, photochromatic lenses give you the benefits of clear lenses, indoors and at night, plus are distinct advantages of sunglasses outdoors - all while doing so in the convenience of one pair of lenses.

Photochromatic lenses are available for nearly every lens design and prescription. Performance features include rapid darkening when you go outside (and rapid return to clear when you go indoors) and, similar to the way sun block protects your skin, photochromatic lenses also help preserve the health and wellness of your eyes for the future by blocking 100% of harmful UV rays, so you can see better tomorrow too.

As outdoor light conditions change, the level of darkness adjusts, creating just the right level of tint and allowing just the right amount of light to enter the eyes at any given time. This action allows photochromatic lenses to help protect your eyes from the light you can see, reducing glare. Diminishing eye strain and fatigue and enabling you to distinguish contrast more easily.

For the light you can't see - ultraviolet light - Photochromatic lenses can help protect your eyes for long-term preservation of healthy sight - it's important to remember that. No matter how light or dark they appear to be, Photochromatic lenses are always blocking 100% of eye damaging UVA and UVB rays. In other words, photochromatic lenses provide automatic protection from UV rays in any environment, continually protecting your eyes from the light you can’t see while you enjoy comfort and vision quality in the light that you can see.

Polarized Lenses

Polarized sunglasses have been popular for years with boaters and fishermen who need to reduce reflected glare from the water surrounding them. Now that many others who spend time outdoors have discovered the benefits of polarized lenses, interest in these types of sunglasses has soared.

Besides boaters, outdoor enthusiasts who benefit the most from polarized sunglasses include skiers, bikers, golfers and joggers, all who may enjoy a clearer view along with elimination of glare.

These sunglasses can be used for driving and, in fact, can reduce glare from a long, flat surface such as the hood of the car or the road surface. Polarized sunglasses also can be worn indoors by light-sensitive people, including post-cataract surgery patients and those continually exposed to bright light through windows.

How Do Polarized Lenses Work?

Light reflected from surfaces such as a flat road or smooth water is generally horizontally polarized. This means that, instead of light being scattered in all directions in more usual ways, reflected light generally travels in a more horizontally oriented direction. This creates an annoying and sometimes dangerous intensity of light that we experience as glare.

Polarized lenses contain a special filter that block this type of intense reflected light, reducing glare.

Though polarized sunglasses improve comfort and visibility, there are some instances when these lenses may not be advisable. One example is downhill skiing, where you may not want to block light reflecting off icy patches because this alerts skiers to hazards they are approaching.

In addition, polarized lenses may reduce the visibility of images produced by liquid crystal displays (LCDs). With polarized lenses, you also may be unable to see your cell phone or GPS device. Boaters and pilots also have reported similar problems when viewing LCD displays on instrument panels, which can be a crucial issue when it comes to making split second decisions based strictly on information displayed on a panel.

However, for most other sports and activities, polarized sunglasses offer great advantages. And today, many polarized lenses are available in combination with other features that can enhance outdoor experiences. 

Polarized photochromic lenses, which change from dark outside to light inside, may be right for the light-sensitive person who frequently is in and out of the sun on any given day.

Whether you spend your time water skiing or boating, in-line skating or mountain biking, driving or jogging, polarized sunglasses may be the right choice to help you enjoy your life outdoors.