By: Jenni Williams
Marion Optician
Summer’s coming fast folks! Have you started looking for shorts and sandals? Sun screens and tanning lotions? Just like with sun block the more SPF (sun protection factor) the better the protection for your skin, right? Well do you have the right amount of protection for your eyes?
Most people wear sun block when they go outdoors to prevent those nasty wrinkles and skin cancer, but do you realize that your eyes are just as vulnerable to the sun as your skin is? UVA and UVB are harmful rays that the sun gives off daily that can not only cause skin aging, burning and skin cancer, but they can also lead to many eye conditions and diseases. Cataracts, melanoma of the eye lids and/or the eye, macular degeneration can all lead to blindness….the list goes on!
If you are ready to invest in a great pair of sunglasses, a polarized lens may be just what you need! There are many different colors of polarized lenses to choose from – it all depends on what and how you are going to use your sun wear that can help your eyecare professional determine what is best for you. Do you hunt? Are you an over the road (OTR) driver, hiker or biker? How about a fisherman or weekend boater? What ever it is that you enjoy doing or do for a living, there is a polarized lens option for you.
Brown and copper lenses enhance your greens and reds while outdoors. This particular color of lens is best suited for driving, boating, and skiing. It blocks “blue light” which is what makes images appear “cloudy” of “foggy”. Brown and copper are my color of choice….could it be yours too?
Grey and grey-green (G-15) lenses tend to work the best for most all lighting conditions. It provides the truest color reception, without causing distortion. It naturally has the best glare reduction on roadways, grasses (golf courses) and water. 8 out of 10 people prefer grey or grey-green (G-15) lenses due to it being the most commonly available. They have been around the longest, causes the least eye fatigue if worn for long periods of time, and have the widest availability in prescription range, lens materials and multifocal lens types.
Yellow polarized lenses are also available, but not as popular. They are primarily used by target shooters and people who participate in dusk and/or dawn activities, such as jogging, running, biking or walking. Yellow allows the pupils to widen – letting in maximum light, which is great for those times of the day that you need light, but want protection….they are NOT good for bright sunny or snowy days.
The newest member of the polarized family is the SolFx lens. This polarized lens comes in two different colors – ash (light grey) and carmel (light brown). This particular lens style has a photochromatic technology combined with superior polarized technology. What does that mean you might ask? Well, this lens is a transition lens, with a polarized property. SO, your lenses change color to the conditions outside. They start off light in the early part of the day, and darken as the day goes on. This lens is the BEST option on the market for motorcycle drivers and hunters.
So the next time you are ready to purchase a new set of sunglasses, think about a polarized pair. Ask any of our Opticians at any of our 4 locations about your options in sun wear. Open your eyes to a clearer tomorrow….your eyes will thank you!
Tags: eye protection, sunglasses, transition
What brand of lenses do you provide?
Do you carry Varrilux lenses?
Thanks for your question. Yes, we carry Varrilux lenses and it is often my lens of choice for many patients. Varrilux is a line of lens products from Essilor and may be used for a host of applications, including but not limited to polarized sunglasses. Furthermore, Iowa EyeCare has exclusive access to the top-of-the line TruClear lenses. TruClear is a premium brand from Essilor.
Dr. Ryan Nelson