Tinted lenses are all the rage but are more than just aesthetics
“Tinted sunglasses made an explosive comeback last year, and they remain all-the-rage in 2020. We see an even more diverse array of exciting colours from light blue, green, and yellow to burnt orange, rose, gold, and pink.
Many people don’t realise that there is some science behind tinted lenses. They’re not just about aesthetics. Specific colours heighten contrasts while other tints provide better visibility in low light conditions. This means your choice of tint should be influenced by your lifestyle and your sport, not merely your colour preference,” says Ruahan Naude, CEO at Dynamic Vision.
He explains that lens colour will determine how much visible light reaches the eyes. Lens colour can also affect the perception of contrasts and how well specific colours stand out. While certain lens tints will enhance specific colours, they can distort others.
“Choosing the right lens tint can, therefore, help to improve your vision and performance in your sporting or lifestyle environment,” says Naude.
He has this advice for choosing the right tints for your lifestyle and sports pursuits:
Cycling
Amber and rose-tinted lenses provide shade and deliver excellent visibility in lower light conditions. These are right lens colours for road cyclists and off-road riders because they reduce eye strain while increasing visual acuity. A bright field of vision is obtained and is ideal for weak to no sunlight, especially when cycling in the early morning or late afternoon. Lens manufacturers, such as SEIKO Optical, offers self-tinting lenses with colourful tints that assist your eyes with adapting to surroundings quickly and reliably. These lenses protect your eyes from being overexposed to light, whether you are indoors or outdoors. They combine hi-tech photochromic technology with a seamless design, to help you see clearly from sunrise to sunset.
Golf
Colours such as amber and brown are recommended for golfers. These colours heighten contrast, making them very useful on the fairways and reading the green. They also enhance distance vision.
Fishing
Polarized sunglasses with green mirror front lenses and amber inside lenses are great for inshore and shallow water fishing. Yellow lenses work well when fishing in low light conditions and when skies are overcast.
9. Ask for help – Should you find yourself feeling stuck in anxiety, worry, overwhelm and depression, reach out for help! Mental health workers are categorised as essential services. Your psychiatrist or psychologist are available to you, even on an online virtual therapy platform. If you have never had assistance before, and you are struggling to cope, reach out for help for the first time. Google the name of a therapist in your area, or contact your GP for a referral. Mental health practitioners are on the alert, waiting to be of assistance to those in crisis during this difficult time.
Outdoor activities in bright conditions
Grey reduces overall brightness while preserving 100% normal colour perception. Sports: All outdoor sports in bright light conditions. Grey lenses are very popular tints and are highly effective sunny and bright days to protect against harsh glare. These lenses make grey an excellent choice for road running, cycling, and general outdoor use in bright conditions.
Inside computer use
A light rose tint on computer glasses can help to reduce glare from the screen and harsh overhead lighting. They can also help to enhance contrast. An anti-reflective coating and blue light protection can also be added to support vision and reduce eye fatigue when working on a computer all day.
Driving
Copper and amber tints increase contrast and provide a crisp, clear view, making them excellent options for driving. Pale-yellow lenses enhance contrast well in low light conditions making colours brighter, and clearer. They work well for night driving, cloudy, foggy, rainy days driving, and outdoor sportswear.
Sunglasses for driving should be polarized too. Polarised lenses stop glare from headlights, the sun, and wet road surfaces. They also filter out harmful ultraviolet radiation. In misty and foggy conditions, polarized lenses sharpen details and improve contrast. Reducing strain on the eyes and providing UV protection with polarized lenses makes driving more comfortable and safer.
Naude stresses that anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors, whether as part of their jobs or leisure pursuits, should include polarized coating on their prescription lenses. Polarized lenses are generally available in grey, brown, and green.
He concludes: “When choosing a pair of sunglasses, you must take your lifestyle and preferred sporting pursuits into consideration. Not only will they help to protect your eyes in the environments in which you spend time, but they can also help to optimise your vision and performance. Certainly, tints are in fashion, but they are about more than just great looks.”
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