Why Protection is Necessary

We expect a lot from our eyes. During a normal day, the eyes will use about the same amount of energy as the legs would use walking fifty miles. The additional burden of glare causes the eyes to strain in order to see well. Wearing sunglasses will reduce or eliminate this strain, cut the impact of harsh glare and eliminate the need to squint.

Sunglasses also offer protection against something very serious - ultraviolet radiation (UV). Sunglass lenses block 99% of harmful UV rays. Visual acuity, contrast, and overall sensitivity can be reduced by up to 50%, due to the sun's sustained bleaching of the photochemical rhodopsin in the rods of the retina. The right sunglasses during the day can block the appropriate light and at night can protect retinal sensitivity.

As people spend more time outdoors, concern regarding the potentially harmful effects of sunlight increases. While many people appreciate the importance of using sunscreens to protect their skin, not everyone is quite so careful about choosing sunglasses. The best protection for the eyes against ultraviolet radiation (UV) is optical-quality sunglasses.

The Ozone Layer: The Disappearing Shield

The upper layer of the earth's atmosphere is often called the "ozone layer." This layer is the critical barrier guarding the earth from harmful UV light. Many believe that certain man-made chemicals have seriously depleted the ozone layer resulting in an increase in the amount of UV radiation reaching the earth. Increased UV radiation could lead to more risk of skin cancer, immune system disorders, cataracts, and other eye problems.

Sunglass Technology

All About Lenses

All our sunglasses have optically correct lenses and provide 100% UV protection. A person looking through a non-optically correct lens has to continually refocus due to distortion. This strain on the eye can eventually lead to headaches, nausea and dizziness. Our optically correct lenses prevent these problems.

Lens Coatings

Coatings are chemical oxides applied to lenses, which may make them stronger in protection, less reflective, or more scratch-resistant.

Mirrored Coatings

Mirrored coatings make a lens more effective for intense sunlight and glare. A thin metallic coating is placed over a regular sunglass lens to create the mirrored look. All three of these mirrored coatings protect against glare. Top gradient is graduated and heaviest at the top of the lens. Double gradient is heaviest at the top and the bottom, and provides a buffer against both overhead and surface glare. (The middle part of the lens is not mirrored) Full mirror is completely mirrored. Some full mirror lenses provide the most protection against harsh glare.

Anti-Reflection Coatings

Anti-reflection coatings reduce reflections from lens surfaces. On the back of the lens, they prevent sunlight from coming in from behind and reflecting off the back of the lens into the eyes. These coatings are most useful on water and snow.

Scratch-Resistant Coatings

Scratch-resistant coatings prolong the life of a pair of sunglasses. Many polycarbonate lenses have this coating to increase their level of scratch resistance to that of CR-39.

Lens Colors

Vision can be enhanced through the use of specific lens colors, as lens color can help in the absorption of light.

Brown and Amber

Brown and amber-brown are excellent for general-purpose sunglasses. They improve contrast by filtering out blue light and reducing glare. They are the ideal lens color for sports with high glare such as skiing, boating, and fishing and are well suited for driving and fast-reaction sports. Light amber-brown lenses can also be used in overcast, hazy conditions.

Grey

Grey is a neutral shade and a good general-purpose color. Colors pass through grey lenses evenly, allowing true perception and the least amount of color distortion of any lens color because it does not enhance contrast, an important feature for sports such as golf, cycling, and running. Grey lenses protect well against glare, making them excellent for sports, outdoor work, and driving, as well as general wear.

Green

Good all-around general-purpose green lenses provide contrast in low light conditions and reduce eyestrain in bright conditions. Filters some blue light as they protect against glare. Green lenses only allow the most useful light to reach the eye for greatest visual acuity. They are the most preferred of all lens colors.

Rose or Vermilion

These colors provide excellent perception in low light conditions while allowing a tolerable level of light transmission in bright sunlight. Used to contrast objects against blue and green backgrounds. A good color for skiing and shooting.

Yellow

Yellow lenses are a long time standard in the ski industry. Provides excellent depth perception and contrast in low light. Ideal for shooting, skiing, and fast-reaction sports.

Lens Types

Whether improving contrast or reducing glare, lens type is the key element to improving your vision.

Constant Density

These lenses are fixed in the percentage of light they absorb and appear as one color. They provide excellent glare protection and are a good choice for those who are often in bright sunshine.

Photochromic

The lenses automatically lighten or darken according to the sun's brightness. Silver halides, which are part of the glass, darken the lens when exposed to ultraviolet rays. Photochromic lenses must be conditioned through several exposures to the sun. After that they will darken fully. They can be worn indoors or outdoors. Most photochromic lenses are grey, but they are also available in green, brown, and other colors.

All-Weather Photochromic

These lenses work well under all weather conditions, including overcast and hazy days. On overcast days, they are light amber and improve contrast and sharpen details. In sunshine, they turn dark brown; when it's cold and bright, they are grey/brown. At all stages, they improve contrast. These lenses are excellent for any outdoor action sport like skiing, sailing, or tennis.

Gradient

These lenses are darker at the top of the lens and get progressively lighter at the bottom. Lightly tinted versions of gradient lenses are used mainly in fashion glasses.

Polarized

These lenses have a filter encased within them that traps and eliminates or reduces reflections of water or other smooth surfaces. These lenses also absorb a large percentage of the overall light, bringing it down to a comfortable level. While polarizing lenses are good for general wear, they are especially useful for fishermen and boaters.

Lens Materials

Glass vs. Plastic? The material you choose for your glasses is simply a matter of comfort.

Glass

Optical quality glass makes the clearest lenses because it is free of bubbles, seeds, or haziness that can distort vision. Ground and polished like a fine camera lens, so the surface is free of imperfections. Optical-quality lenses are chemically or heat treated to make them impact-resistant. These treatments help make them stronger than the FDA requires. While glass is heavier than plastic, it keeps its shape when heat is applied. This means that glass lenses will do better than plastic if accidentally left on a dashboard in hot afternoon sun. Glass is more scratch-resistant, than plastic.

CR-39

Optical quality plastic, made of hard resin, is considered the best plastic for lenses. It weighs half as much as glass, which means it is not heavy on the face. It exceeds European requirements for impact-resistance because of its comparatively loose molecular structure.

Polycarbonate Plastic

A remarkably strong plastic - in fact, aircraft windshields, motorcycle windshields, and sport safety glasses are made of polycarbonate because it is so strong. Compared to CR-39 and glass, polycarbonate plastic weighs the least and is the most impact-resistant. 20 times more impact resistant and 3 times lighter than glass. A good choice for those who want really rugged sunglasses: for people who engage in outdoor activities and fast-action sports. Polycarbonate is widely used, and is considered the second optical plastic. Its major drawback is that it is soft and susceptible to scratching and abrasion. It must be hard-coated to raise its scratch-resistance to that of CR-39.

All About Frames

Frame Material