We all know it's crucial to protect our eyes from the sun's harmful UV rays, but does the colour of your sunglasses' lenses really make a difference? The short answer is probably yes.
Lens colours can influence how sunlight filters through your sunglasses, affecting the quality of your vision.
Understanding the benefits of different lens colours can help you choose the perfect pair for your planned activity.
It is important to note that UV protection is still the most important factor for sun protection purposes.
Brown or amber lenses
Best for: Sports and activities that may require vision for fine detail, like golfing and racing.
Brown or amber lenses are popular for everyday use due to their ability to filter glare and reduce potential strain. They enhance warm colours and brighten your vision, making objects appear sharper and with better definition.
Yellow or orange lenses
Best for: Gamers, pilots and winter athletes
Yellow or orange-tinted lenses are ideal for moderate- to low-light conditions. They enhance contrast and clarity, making them perfect for foggy, hazy or overcast weather. These lenses also may improve the ability to focus on moving objects, which is why gamers, pilots and winter athletes prefer them.
Blue or purple lenses
Best for: Water sports, snow activities and wet or misty conditions
Blue or purple-tinted lenses may reduce glare in bright, sunny conditions minimising discomfort from reflections. They also may improve colour and contour perception, making them ideal for water sports, snow activities and misty environments.
Green lenses
Best for: Sunny outdoor activities like golfing, fishing and hiking
Green-tinted lenses enhance colour contrast, reduce glare and brighten shadows. These qualities make them suitable for a range of activities in both sunny and low-light conditions, such as golfing, fishing and hiking.
Pink or red lenses
Best for: Winter sports
Pink or red-tinted lenses offer excellent depth perception and are favoured for winter sports due to their contrast against white backgrounds.
Grey lenses
Best for: Outdoor activities like running, cycling, trips to the beach or driving
Grey lenses provide a neutral view on colour and reduce overall brightness without distorting colours. They are versatile and suitable for various situations, minimising glare and eye fatigue in bright sunlight as well as in cloudy or lower-light conditions.
What colour lens is considered best for driving?
Grey, amber and brown tinted lenses are most often preferred for driving. Pink, red and blue tints are not recommended for driving sunglasses because, although stylish, they can distort colours on traffic lights.
Additional considerations for your sunglasses
Beyond lens colour, there are other factors to consider when choosing sunglasses:
- Lens coating: polarised lenses reduce glare, while mirrored or flash coatings may enhance visual comfort
- Lens material: different materials offer varying levels of clarity, durability and weight
- Frame material: lightweight and durable frames are more likely to provide comfort and longevity
- UV protection: most importantly, ensure your sunglasses block harmful UV rays to prevent conditions like photokeratitis and cataracts
For those who need prescription sunglasses or transition lenses, it's always best to consult with your optometrist for personalised advice.
To schedule an appointment with your local optometrist today, use our easy search tool here.
