Today’s eyewear comes in a variety of different colors 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?
What are tinted glasses for?
Deciding what color 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
Green lenses are considered the most protective type, as this tint blocks blue light and UV rays, reducing eye strain and glare in bright environments. These tinted lenses are great for:
- Rainy or sunny weather conditions
- Golf and tennis
- Outdoor activities
Blue/Purple-tinted sunglasses
Blue and purple-tinted glasses improve color 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 minimize 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 colors 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 colored lenses provides accurate color 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 colors, which is beneficial in low-light conditions such as indoor sports and overcast days. Ideal activities for this color 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 favorite 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 polarized 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 color distortion
- No advanced glare protection: Tinted lenses do not reduce glare/horizontal reflection
What is the difference between tinted and polarized lenses?
The main difference between polarized and tinted lenses is that polarization reduces glare to the minimum.
Polarized 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. Polarized sunglasses also enhance color perception.
Moreover, polarization is a filter integrated directly into the lens material, while the tints applied to glasses and sunglasses are an additional add-on.
Overall, polarized 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 polarization 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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