Insight into Low Vision

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Sunglass Technology: Putting It All Together

Written by insightintolowvision@gmail.com in Eyeglass TEchnology

Sunglass lenses should be able to:

  • reduce glare and haze to provide clearer, sharper vision,
  • enhance color definition,
  • reduce reflections off the lenses, and
  • most importantly, 100% UV protection.

If you have read the other posts on Lens Technology, what you may have realized is that sunglasses are more than a tint used to decrease the amount of sunlight that gets to your eye.  While visual comfort is important, sunglasses are also about protection and optimizing visual function. It is not just about how much light is transmitted through the lens, but how the lens performs. Ideally, they should enhance vision. Here’s how: Continue reading “Sunglass Technology: Putting It All Together”

Protecting the Eyes: UV Light

Written by insightintolowvision@gmail.com in Eyeglass TEchnology

Decreasing light levels with a tint may give a greater level of visual comfort, but may not offer enough protection against wavelengths of light known to be harmful to the sensitive tissues of the eye. Specifically, protection from the high energy, damaging, short wavelength UV light.  Lens materials such as plastic and poly carbonate have some UV absorbing capability (see Lens Materials). Continue reading “Protecting the Eyes: UV Light”

Protecting the Eyes: Tints

Written by insightintolowvision@gmail.com in Eyeglass TEchnology

Tints not only vary in color, but also vary in transmissibility. The amount of light that is transmitted is the amount of light allowed to pass through the lens. The darkness of the tint does not indicate it’s capability to protect against harmful UV light.

While you may think that sunglasses are just glasses with a tint, but protecting the eyes requires more than just a tint.  The tint decreases the amount of light that reaches your eyes.  Generally, the darker the tint, the less light is transmitted (passed through) the lens. Someone who is outdoors and needs to decrease the brightness of sunlight, will choose a lens with low transmittance.  Keep in mind, the darkness of the tint does not indicate it’s capability to protect against harmful UV light. Continue reading “Protecting the Eyes: Tints”

Lens Technology: Prisms

Written by insightintolowvision@gmail.com in Eyeglass TEchnology

Prism in lenses is not so much something ‘in’ the lenses, but it is actually how that lens is constructed, which is typically referred to as being ‘ground in.’ The presence  of prisms will be seen as a thicker edge by the wearer. The thicker edge is where the base of the prism is located, and is opposite to where the image is to be shifted.

Lens materials, lens designs, and add-on tints are all options available to help you design your eye wear. Prisms are not  offered as an option, but are a part of your eyeglass prescription. Continue reading “Lens Technology: Prisms”