Depending on weather conditions or the activities that are part of your daily routine, the color of your lenses can enhance the overall performance of your glasses. Most people choose lens colors based on aesthetics, but did you know that different lens colors serve different purposes?
In this article, we will guide you through the different color options, explain the difference between each lens color and help you understand how to choose the best one to suit your needs.
You can't judge sunglasses by their color. At least, not when it comes to eye protection. Tints don't reflect how well the lenses block UV (ultraviolet) light.
Sunglass lenses are treated with UV-absorbing chemicals. These chemicals are usually colorless, so clear lenses can block UV rays just as well as dark ones. Clear lenses, however, don't block sun glare.
So why are so many lens colors available? This article looks at the purpose of tinted lenses and the benefits of different colors.
Verywell / Gary Ferster
Purpose of Tints
Tints filter light in different ways. Some are better at blocking light. Some enhance colors while others distort them.
Tints can enhance your vision in some cases. You might like the look of one color over or another. But the pretty one may not be the best fit for your lifestyle.
Gray
Gray is a popular neutral tint. It helps reduce brightness without adversely affecting your ability to see shape and detail. Choose gray for:
Yellow/Orange
Yellow and orange tints increase contrast in hazy, foggy, or low-light conditions. They tend to make objects appear sharper, both indoors and outdoors. But they can distort colors.
Choose yellow shades for:
You may want different lens colors for the same activity in different conditions. For example, skiers often use gray or brown tints on sunny days and yellow or orange when it's snowing or hazy.
Green
Green tints filter some blue light and reduce glare. They also offer high contrast and visual sharpness. Green lenses can be soothing and green light can help improve headache symptoms.
Green also tends to reduce eyestrain in bright light. Choose green for precision sports such as:
Amber/Brown
Amber and brown tints reduce glare and block blue light. They brighten vision on cloudy days. And they increase contrast and depth perception without adversely affecting your ability to see detail and shape.
They're especially useful against green and blue backgrounds, like grass and sky. Choose amber and brown tints for:
Melanin is the pigment in your skin that helps protect it from sun damage. Some sunglasses manufacturers use synthetic melanin as a lens coating to help filter light and protect the eyes. Manufacturers claim melanin-coated lenses protect your eyes from aging related to sun exposure.
Rose/Red
Rosy tints increase contrast by blocking blue light. They have a reputation for soothing the eyes, and they may be more comfortable for longer wear times. A red tint may also help improve contrast and support depth perception.
Choose red tints for:
Blue
Polarized, blue-tinted glasses can help reduce glare from water or snow. The blue tint can also help with color perception. One study found that people wearing blue-tinted lenses did not perform as well in sports activities; possibly because this color may reduce contrast sensitivity and increase color distortion.
Blue-tinted glasses are believed to have a soothing effect on the eyes.
Additional Options
When you buy sunglasses, you may also have the option to select additional features such as a mirrored coating or polarized lenses. These features can help reduce reflections and eye fatigue.
How Dark Should Tinted Sunglasses Be?
Tint is defined as the percentage of light the lens blocks. Commercially available sunglasses have tint intensities that range from light to dark. Lightly tinted lenses have about a 20% tint intensity, while a medium tint is about 50% and a dark tint is around 80%.
A high tint percentage isn't necessarily better at protecting your eyes from the sun. What matters most is whether or not your sunglasses provide full protection from all UV light. Darker sunglasses do help reduce squinting, which can protect your eyes from fatigue, especially when spending a lot of time in very bright conditions. Wearing sunglasses is also a good way to reduce eye strain while driving.
Very dark tints may make it harder to see, even in bright light, while light tints may not be enough to reduce squinting. A medium tint is a good general-use lens for most outdoor activities, though this is based more on personal preference since tint does not affect how well-protected your eyes are from UV rays.
How to Choose the Right Tint For You
Tint choice should be based on personal preference as well as on the activities you plan to do while wearing your sunglasses. Your choice of tint doesn't affect how safe your sunglasses are, though it may help reduce eye fatigue and make it easier to see during certain activities. Some of the elements to think about include:
You may also want to consider polarized or mirrored lenses if you spend time in environments with a lot of glare, such as lakes or snowy areas.
Sunglass Safety Concerns
Regardless of the hue, experts have some concerns about tinted lenses and eye health. Wearing sunglasses can give you a false sense of eye protection.
For starters, dark-tinted lenses without appropriate UV filters can cause more eye damage than not wearing shades. This is because the pupil widens in the dark to let in more light, which exposes it to even more UV radiation.
Additionally, sunglasses sold in the United States are not required to adhere to the American National Standards Institute (ASNI) recommendations. Lenses that do will likely have a sticker or tag stating lenses meet ANSI Z80.3-2018 UV blocking requirements.
For optimal protection, sunglasses should block at least 99% of UVA and UVB radiation. Look for either one of the following terms on the label:
These lenses, however, only protect against direct UV rays. Indirect sunlight can reach your eyes through the side of the frames or reflect off the back of the lens. In fact, one study found some sunglasses allow up to 42% of UV rays to reach your eyes.
For better eye protection, buy oversized or wraparound-style frames to help reduce the amount of UV light entering from the sides.
Additionally, look for lenses that have a UV coating on both the front and back of the lenses. Research shows this can reduce overall UV exposure to 7%.
If you are unsure about the quality of UV protection, bring the sunglasses to an optician or ophthalmologist's office. Most eye care specialists have a UV light meter that can test the lenses' UV-blocking abilities.
Summary
Tinted sunglasses have different properties depending on their color, but you can't gauge UV protection by the shade.
Different colors work best for various needs and activities. Gray is good for driving and outdoor sports. Yellow and orange increase contrast and are great in the snow. Green reduces glare. Brown tones block blue light and increase contrast against the grass and sky. Reddish tints may be soothing and good for long car trips, while blue can help reduce glare.
The most important thing to consider when buying a pair of sunglasses is whether they provide 100% protection from UV rays. Choose sunglasses with larger lenses to avoid unfiltered UV light getting in around the edges. The amount of tint your glasses have should be based on personal preference and the types of outdoor activities you plan to do while wearing them.
When should yellow lens sunglasses be used?
Yellow lens sunglasses are best for snow-related activities, indoor ball sports, at night, or while driving in the fog. The same is true of orange-tinted sunglasses, which can increase contrast in foggy, hazy, or low-light conditions.
What are the benefits of blue light glasses?
Blue light glasses are believed by some people to reduce eye strain and prevent eye damage while reading a computer screen. However, there is no scientific evidence that blue lights from these devices cause any lasting harm. The strain that we feel from a long computer session is actually caused by blinking less often, resulting in dry eyes. Eye strain can be avoided by taking a 20-second or longer "screen break" every 20 minutes.
What color sunglasses are best for driving?
Gray-tinted sunglasses are a good choice for driving. This color reduces brightness and glare.