FAQ's & Sunglasses Information

Purchasing a quality pair of sunglasses can be an investment, but with so many choices it can be difficult to sort out the marketing hype from the facts. How can you be sure you're getting a good value and getting what you need? Here is a list of common questions you may have when shopping for your next pair of shades. The answers will help you determine what you should be looking for.

Why should I invest in higher priced sunglasses when you can buy a pair for $5-$20? High quality sunglasses are certainly more expensive than the shades you buy off the rack at a drug store or a department store. The difference, though, lies in the quality. Like most products you buy, you get what you pay for. Many people believe that buying high priced sunglasses simply means paying for a designer name. This is not so. Inexpensive shades, even those that claim "100% UV protection" may not protect your eyes. Most of the time these shades have a spray on UV coating that will wear off over time exposing you to more harm than if you were to wear nothing at all. Other drawbacks include poor optics that will distort your vision, poorly made frames that fall apart after a couple of months, and no warranty to protect you as a consumer against manufacturing defects.

In contrast, quality sunglasses use only tested materials that offer superior optics and durable, long lasting frames that are backed by at least a one year warranty. In addition, the coatings used, including UV protection, are often sandwiched between multiple layers of a lens material. This means that your protection and lens tint will never fade or wear off. While good sunglasses can be expensive, they are also built to last. With proper regular care, a pair should last anywhere between 2 and 20 years and can be purchased for as little as $45.

Why do I need sunglasses at all? Everyday our eyes are bombarded with harmful Ultraviolet rays. Long term exposure can lead to cataracts, permanent retina damage, and short term vision problems. Bright sun light can also be problematic by not allowing us to see clearly and forcing us to squint. This can lead to premature wrinkles around the eyes and forehead. Simply wearing a good pair of sunglasses can help avoid all of these issues.

What are polarized lenses? Polarized lenses filter out glare Glare usually occurs when light is scattered off of a reflective surface. The most common example of this is the blinding light that comes off the surface of the water on a bright day. Other common sources of glare may include car windshields, snow, and ice. Fisherman, boaters, and people who do a significant amount of driving love these lenses because they are suited for the conditions that they often find themselves in. It is important to note that these lenses often cost more than a non-polarized lens, however, and despite what many are led to believe, offer no additional protection from harmful UV rays. Polarized lenses only help in conditions with glare. They do nothing against direct sunlight. Thus, when deciding whether you need a polarized lens or not, first decide whether you encounter high glare environments on a regular basis.

What kind of protection should I look for in a pair of sunglasses? Any pair of sunglasses should offer you 100% Ultraviolet protection. This should cover UVA and UVB rays (ultraviolet c rays are absorbed by the earth's atmosphere) up to 400nm. Features such as bigradient mirrors, anti-reflective coatings, and polarization are great and may increase comfort and visibility but offer no additional protection. UV protection is the most important concern when shopping for sunglasses.

Why are there different color lens tints for sunglasses? Color or tint can effect the performance of a lens. The human eye reacts differently to various colors and thus, each color lens will offer different benefits..

B/A: Brown or amber lenses enhance contrast while altering the natural colors of objects very little. This lens tint is great for sports and driving or any activity where contrast is important. While this tint is not the darkest available, it is suitable for every day use.

GR: Green lenses are a good everyday tint. They are of medium darkness, have some contrast enhancing qualities while not distorting colors.

GY: Grey lenses are generally the darkest lenses available. They do not enhance contrast at all, but also do not distort colors either. They are most suitable for people that are in extremely bright light conditions or need a "true color" lens.

V/R: Vermillion or rose lenses provide some of the best contrast enhancement. They are suitable for mild to medium light conditions. Common uses are golf and skiing, however, this is also a suitable general purpose lens as well.

O/Y: Orange and yellow lenses provide excellent depth perception and contrast in low light conditions. They are often used as shooting glasses. They excel in overcast conditions or in environments with little light. While these lenses are 100% UV protective, they are often too bright to be used in normal light conditions.

B/P/C: Blue, purple, or clear lenses are usually fashion tints and offer no real benefits. While they are 100% UV protective, there are no inherent benefits to these colors.

Should I wear glass or plastic lenses? There are three main lens materials that are commonly used in today's sunglasses: Glass, Plastic (CR-39), and Polycarbonate. Each material has its own set of benefits and drawbacks, and thus, there is no one best material to look for. Rather, you should assess how and when you will be using your sunglasses and then chose accordingly. Below is a rundown of each material.

GLASS: Glass lenses provide the best scratch resistance and highest optical clarity. They are, however, 2-3 times as heavy as plastic or polycarbonate lenses and, while they are tempered for impact resistance, can shatter or break if struck by an object. These types of lenses are suitable for people who value durability and clarity but are not great for people involved in high speed sports or activities where something could strike your lenses or face.

PLASTIC: Plastic lenses are significantly lighter than glass lenses, and thus, may be more comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. Also, while not shatterproof, these lenses are also more shatter resistant than glass. Disadvantages include average optical clarity and less scratch resistance. These types of lenses are great for customers looking for a lightweight, affordable pair of sunglasses.

POLYCARBONATE: Polycarbonate lenses are shatterproof and extremely lightweight. Their primary drawback is that the material is very soft and is the least scratch resistant material used. These lenses are great for active people involved in sports. Because they are lightweight they will stay put when moving around. The shatterproof lenses will also provide protection from not only UV rays, but also impact from objects or in case of an accident or a fall.