Today it is possible to get sunglasses with lenses in just about any color that you can imagine and it can be difficult to know just what color to choose. On the one hand of course you can simply choose a color that you like and, if your primary concern is simply to make a fashion statement, then this will probably work just fine. However, if you need to use your sunglasses for a specific purpose, such as driving the car or pursuing your favorite sport, then it will be extremely important to make sure that you choose just the right color.
Your optician will of course be able to give you detailed advice on the full range of colors available, but here are a few things to think about when considering some of the more commonly seen lens colors.
The most popular lens color in the United States today is gray and this has the advantage of reducing light intensity without at the same time changing the color of objects. For this reason gray is an excellent choice for general wear and for such things as driving.
Brown lenses block a proportion of blue light and thus enhance contrast producing a warmer appearance to colors and making greens stand out a little more.
Green sunglass lenses are often used to create that classic look seen in aviator-style sunglasses and provide a cool, soothing tone to colors.
Amber sunglass lenses provide excellent contrast by blocking virtually all blue light. Often referred to as "blue blocker" lenses or "shooter's sunglasses", amber lenses are popular with hunters as they provide enhanced contrast when looking at such things as clay targets set against the sky. One problem with amber lenses is that they also distort colors and so may not be suitable for activities that require accurate color recognition and for driving.
Blue, orange, rose and pink lenses can all cause marked color distortion and are unsuitable for activities where color recognition is important and also for driving. These tints are primarily used for fashion glasses.
Another important consideration is the degree to which sunglasses are tinted. This will depend very much on the light levels in which you will normally wear your sunglasses and also on your own personal preference.
For general wear you should choose the lightest tint that you find comfortable in both sunny and overcast conditions. Try not to choose lenses that are too dark as these can cause problems and impair your vision in shadow or when lighting conditions are changing rapidly.
If you are buying sunglasses for outdoor sports wear such as skiing or snowboarding choose lenses with a darker tint and also consider lenses with a double-gradient mirror coating for protection from direct sunlight and from reflected light from snow.
In some cases you will find that your optician can adjust the tint of your sunglasses. If, for example, you find that your glasses are too heavily tinted and are simply too dark, ask if some of the tint can be bleached out to provide you with greater comfort.
One important point to note is that tinting only affects the level of visible light that passes through the lenses of your sunglasses and that it does not provide any protection from ultraviolet radiation. As one of the primary purposes of sunglasses is to protect your eyes from ultraviolet radiation it is vitally important to ensure that your particular choice of glasses gives you this protection, regardless of any lens color that you may choose.
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