We all know protecting our eyes and skin from the sun’s UV rays is important. However, did you know that the color of your sunglasses can affect how they perform? The color of your shades can affect how sunlight filters in through your sunglasses, making certain tints better than others for specific activities.
By understanding how your sunglasses’ color affects how they work and which activities they’re best for, you can optimize your use of sun protection to benefit your vision health.
Best Prescription Glasses
Brown or amber sunglasses
Best for: Sports and activities that require heightened visual acuity, like golfing and racing.
Darker tints, like brown or amber, are common and work well for everyday use, REI reported. Brown offers a multitude of benefits that make it such a popular color. It helps protect your eyes by cutting through glare and preventing eye strain. Brown sunglass lenses also enhance warm colors and brighten your vision.
According to VSP Vision Care, the high contrast provided by these lenses ensures that objects appear more defined and sharp, even at a distance. This makes brown or amber lenses an excellent option for sports and outdoor activities that require clear vision and heightened visual acuity, such as racing and golfing.
Yellow or orange sunglasses
Best for: Gamers, pilots, hunters and winter athletes.
Yellow or orange-tinted sunglasses are perfect for moderate- to low-light conditions, per REI. They can be helpful in foggy, hazy or overcast weather because they enhance contrast and clarity. This color also makes it easier to focus your eyes on moving objects, according to VSP. Gamers, pilots, hunters and winter athletes gravitate towards this tint.
Blue or purple sunglasses
Best for: Water sports, snow activities and wet or misty conditions.
Blue or purple-tinted sunglasses help reduce glare in bright, sunny conditions and environments, per Hunting and Fishing, so they minimize discomfort caused by bright reflections. According to Frames Direct, they also improve color and contour perception. These qualities make them perfect for water sports, snow activities and wet or misty conditions.
Green sunglasses
Best for: Sunny outdoor activities like golfing, fishing and hiking.
Green-tinted sunglasses are suitable for a variety of situations. They improve color perception and contrast, reduce glare and also help brighten shadows. That makes them helpful for sunny outdoor activities like golfing, fishing and hiking but they’re just as effective in low-light or partially cloudy weather.
Pink or red sunglasses
Best for: Winter sports and individuals with light sensitivity or certain eye conditions.
Pink or red-tinted lenses are ideal for depth perception, according to Hunting and Fishing. This color is also a popular choice for winter sports because it offers great contrast against white backgrounds. Additionally, these lenses can benefit individuals with light sensitivity or certain eye conditions, providing a soothing effect and easing eyestrain.
Gray sunglasses
Best for: Outdoor activities like running, cycling and beach outings, or driving.
Gray sunglasses provide a neutral color perception and reduce overall brightness without distorting colors, according to VSP. They are versatile and suitable for various situations, making them ideal for everyday wear. In bright sunlight, they minimize glare and eye fatigue and provide comfort to the eyes. They remain just as helpful in cloudy or lower-light weather. Wear them for outdoor activities like running, cycling and beach outings, or while driving.
Other specs for your specs
When considering sunglasses for eye protection, there’s still more to consider beyond color and style. For example, lens coating, lens material and frame material. Polarized lenses reduce glare, while mirrored or flash coatings enhance visual comfort. The most critical factor is UV protection, ensuring sunglasses block harmful rays that can lead to certain eye conditions, such as cataracts or cancer. A combination of these factors, tailored to specific situations, helps determine the best sunglasses for optimal eye safety and comfort.
If you believe you may need prescription sunglasses or transition lenses, always consult your eye doctor for their professional opinion and advice.
Correction, Aug. 15: An earlier version of this story included an incorrect tip. It is not advisable to wear red or pink lenses while driving.
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