Today’s eyewear comes in a variety of different colours and with many different features and add-ons. For those with a more specific use in mind for their eyewear, it is worth checking the options for tinted lenses.
Besides the fact that there are multiple types of eyeglass tinting to opt for, they all have unique benefits that they bring with various suggested uses.
What are tinted glasses?
Tinted glasses are simply a type of sunglasses or eyeglasses lens. They are created by coating a UV-blocking lens with different tints: blue, green, brown, yellow etc. Tinted lenses are both a fashion statement and a great way to protect your eyes against harmful UV rays and enhance the contrast.
There are two types of tinted eyewear, solid and gradient tint. Solid-tinted lenses are the most popular and have one colour applied to the entire lens.
Gradient lenses (not to be confused with photochromic lenses) usually transition from a plain colour at the top towards a clear lens at the bottom of the frame. Unlike photochromic lenses, the lens coating stays gradual and does not change according to the sunlight.
What are tinted glasses for?
Deciding what colour tint is best for sunglasses can change depending on your lifestyle and what you will do while wearing your sunglasses. Lighter tints can be great to add a little style to your look, while darker tints can provide more visual comfort in different light and weather conditions.
Green-tinted sunglasses
Blue/Purple-tinted sunglasses
Blue and purple-tinted glasses improve colour perception and object contours. They offer great protection from reflective surfaces like water and snow. The features of these tinted eyeglasses are ideal for:
- Eliminating sun glare
- Misty, foggy, and snowy weather conditions
- Hockey
- Cricket
Red/Pink-tinted sunglasses
Red or pink lenses soothe the eyes as they block blue light and minimise eye strain and glare from screens. They can also improve depth perception and enhance details. When are they suitable to wear?
- Driving / Racing
- Skiing and other winter sports
Dark amber, copper, or brown-tinted sunglasses
Dark amber, copper or brown lenses are usually indicated for people with myopia, as they can help enhance contrast and clarity. These lens colours also provide UV protection and can help judge distance in hazy and foggy conditions. The activities that pair well with these tints include:
Gray and black-tinted sunglasses
Gray and black lenses are a fantastic option for everyday use and work on bright and overcast days. This option of coloured lenses provides accurate colour perception while offering the most significant light reduction, reducing eyestrain. You should grab a pair if you are into the following:
- Water sports
- Deep-sea fishing
- Very sunny conditions
- Baseball
Yellow-tinted glasses
Yellow tints filter out blue light and help the eyes pick out soft colours, which is beneficial in low-light conditions such as indoor sports and overcast days. Ideal activities for this colour of tinted sunglasses are:
- Hiking in shaded areas
- Mountain biking
- Indoor use
- Driving
Are tinted lenses worth it?
The importance of eyeglass tinting becomes evident after using the correct lenses for your activities. Tinted lenses provide adjustments that help you go through your day with ease. For example, they equip wearers with the best alteration to stay safe when enjoying their favourite pastimes and sports.
- They can help with photophobia, providing visual comfort to light-sensitive individuals
- They can be used indoors and outdoors for better visibility. Tinted lenses can be great both outside as protection from the sun’s UV light as well as inside to safeguard your eyes from the blue light emitted by digital devices
- Style and fashion options
- More affordable than polarised sunglasses
- Reduce visual stress
What are the disadvantages of tinted lenses?
Tinted eyeglasses and sunglasses also have a few downsides worth noting:
- They can sometimes cause colour distortion
- No advanced glare protection: Tinted lenses do not reduce glare/horizontal reflection
What is the difference between tinted and polarised lenses?
The main difference between polarised and tinted lenses is that polarisation reduces glare to the minimum.
Polarised lenses protect your eyes from UVA or UVB radiation; they also cut out horizontal light reflected from surfaces that create a distracting glare, making it difficult to see. Polarised sunglasses also enhance colour perception.
Moreover, polarisation is a filter integrated directly into the lens material, while the tints applied to glasses and sunglasses are an additional add-on.
Overall, polarised lenses remain a great option for anyone who spends a considerable amount of time outdoors, particularly on the water, where they can drastically improve comfort and safety.
DID YOU KNOW
Tinting is an add-on added to your lenses, while polarisation is a filter integrated into the lens material. Tinted sunglasses are great for reducing brightness and UV rays, but they don’t necessarily eliminate harsh glare like polarised sunglasses can.
Should I try tinted lenses?
Glasses and sunglasses are not just fashion accessories; depending on what tint you choose, you can get different benefits to better your vision and maintain your eye health.
At SmartBuyGlasses, you can combine your prescription or plano lenses with grey, brown and green tints (even in different gradients) to match them with your needs and activities.
If you’re looking for guidance on adding a pair of tinted glasses to your wardrobe and are unsure where to start, talk to your eye doctor or our online team of certified opticians. They can help narrow your options to match your budget, needs and lifestyle.
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