Optical options
It’s a given that sunglasses need to offer UV protection. What’s not so clear-cut are the options
Colour: For general purpose, go with grey, grey-green or brown, says Dr. Ralph Chou, associate professor of optometry at the University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry and Vision Science. Those tints allow you to see true colour — an important feature as you rapidly approach an intersection with a flashing light.
Some people favour yellowish tints which block blue light. Some evidence links prolonged blue light exposure with age-related macular degeneration. But a jaundiced view of traffic signals can be a more immediate health hazard. “There are claims that every colour is good for something,” says Dexter Telenko, owner of Dexter’s Optical at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. “A lot of it is smoke and mirrors.” A lens colour shouldn’t add to the cost. Telenko.
Gradient: They are usually darker on the top than on the bottom. This might be helpful for someone with unstable footing, who needs to look down, suggests Telenko. But it’s generally a fashion style. It shouldn’t cost more than a solid lens, says the opti-
lar lens.
Photochromic: These lenses get light or dark depending on the amount of UV rays hitting them. But while they darken quickly, they take several minutes to lighten up.
These lenses are usually used in prescription glasses and add about $90 to the cost of single-focal lenses, says
Darkness: Go with 75 per cent, considered a medium darkness, says optician Telenko. Most days aren’t brilliant, and you won’t need to whip them off the second you are indoors. For sensitive eyes, try the darker glasses that keep out 85 per cent of light. A darker tint shouldn’t cost more.
Polarized: These lenses greatly reduce reflected glare, such as sunlight off water or snow. Rory Dwyer, dispensary manager at t he Queensway Optometric Centre, swears by them for driving. “With regular sunglasses, I used to see the dashboard reflected on the windshield and now I don’t.” Pol arized l enses may cost about $50 or more, depending on the brand, than a regu-
cian.
Mirror coating: Again, cosmetic. Good for surreptitious glancing, points out Telenko, especially if you’re a highway patrol officer checking out a car or a people-watcher strutting your stuff at the beach. It’s usually a ready-made product, costing maybe $20 more than a non-mirrored lens. But if you want it on prescription sunglasses, it will run about Nancy J. White nwhite@thestar.ca $150 more.