Sunglasses are a popular protective tool against sunlight, with more than 218,000,000 Americans wearing them from time to time. Some are unaware that there are many different types of lenses for sunglasses that can provide different benefits.
If you’ve been looking into different types of sunglasses and lenses, we’re here to help. Read on for more information on some of the many different types of lenses.
Polarized Lenses
One of the most popular lens styles for sunglasses is polarized lenses. These lenses are great for significantly reducing the glare of sunlight. Most users who wear these lenses find them effective while doing watersports during the day or driving.
Polarized lenses aren’t great for most LCD screens or while driving. They’re also not effective in most indoor areas. Polarized lenses are ideal for sunny, outdoor scenarios.
Polarized lenses are arguably the most popular lenses for sunglasses with many benefits. If you’re interested in more pros and cons, we suggest this piece by Medical Arts Eye.
Photochromic Lenses
Photochromic lenses adjust to the amount of sunlight in an area. They work by darkening in reaction to brighter light from exposure to UV. In darker areas, such as indoors or at night, the lenses will brighten and become clearer.
Photochromic lenses are great if you intend to be moving around a lot. They’re great for convenience, as you won’t have to carry sunglasses and eyeglasses at the same time. These lenses take care of switching for you so you won’t deal with the hassle and can even change to other colors, like blue lenses.
Glass Lenses
Glass lenses tend to be a bit more expensive than other styles. They’re also heavier and have a high chance of being chipped or shattered. Many glass lenses will spiderweb when dropped rather than shatter, but the result is the same.
The benefits are that these heavier, thicker lenses are more resistant to scratches than other lenses. They also provide superb clarity and are easy to keep clean. Additional coatings are usually necessary to give more UV protection.
Polycarbonate Lenses
Polycarbonate lenses are extremely sturdy in comparison to most other styles of lenses. That means they’re perfect for active situations such as some sports or where you may drop them. They’re more resistant to damage from dropping or scratching than others.
These lenses are also able to provide 100% UV protection. That means you won’t have to worry about needing any extra coatings once you’ve found a pair of polycarbonate lenses you like.
Choosing Lenses for Sunglasses
Choosing the best lenses for sunglasses depends heavily on what your preferences and needs are. Sunglasses lenses can come in many different shapes and sizes that fit sports, exercise, and other extensive activities. Consider what you’ll be using your sunglasses for and pick your lenses from there!
Keep reading our blog for more lifestyle, health, and beauty advice.
