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Sun protection lenses are a must-have for people who spend a lot of time outdoors. Yes, standard sunglasses may protect your eyes from glare and other visual distractions. But they offer little protection against UV rays that can cause damage to the retina.

 But when choosing the best sun protection lenses, you must decide which type of UV protection is right. There are several options available on the market today.

 Each one offers different levels of UV protection. Some are better suited for specific environments than others. So you must understand each type of sun protection lens. You must know this before buying a pair of prescription sunglasses.

 This article helps you make an informed decision about which sun protection lens is best for you.

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Types of Sun Protection Sunglasses

Here are the different sun protection lenses available:

Ultraviolet (UV) Protective Coatings

 Suppose you want to get prescription glasses the same day with the best UV protection coating. Here, go for glasses with an ultraviolet protective coating on the lenses.

 The coating helps protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. It can apply to any lens material (including plastic, polycarbonate, or glass). It’s available in a variety of tints and styles.

 When choosing UV protection lenses, ensure they protect against UVA, UVB, and UVC rays.

Anti-reflective Coating (AR Coating)

Glare is a significant problem when you’re wearing sunglasses. It can be problematic if you’re driving. But even walking down the street, glare can make it difficult to see clearly.

 Anti-reflective coating (AR coating) helps reduce glare. It makes your vision more comfortable when you wear sunglasses. It reduces reflection by up to 99.5% so that less light is reflected off of your lenses into your eyes.

The major con of anti-reflective coated lenses is that you cannot repair them. So, if you scratch the coating, it can’t be fixed. However, most manufacturers offer a warranty on their AR-coated lenses. This will cover this damage.

Scratch-Resistant Coating

No matter how careful you are with your sunglasses, they’re bound to get scratched eventually. The scratch-resistant coating helps protect your lenses’ surface against scratches. It also protects against other damage caused by everyday use.

 You can find scratch-resistant coating in various tints and styles. This includes polarized and mirrored sunglasses. This type of lens also improves the longevity of your sunglasses. It helps protect the lenses from damage and makes them easier to clean, which means they last longer.

 The major drawback of this coating is that it doesn’t protect the lenses from cracking or shattering. If you drop your sunglasses or step on them, they will break. Also, they can be more expensive than regular lenses. It’s not best for people who don’t have the budget for expensive sunglasses.

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Mirrored Lenses

Sometimes, your sunglasses won’t do. Mirrored lenses are perfect when it’s too bright for regular sunglasses. They are also great when it’s not dark enough for sunglasses with polarized lenses.

 Mirrored lenses reflect light away from your eyes. It allows them to remain safe and comfortable while you enjoy the sun. You can find mirrored lens options in clear and shaded tints. So, they work whether you need protection from glare or UV rays.

Blue Light Filtration Coatings

Many people now look at digital devices for more than just entertainment. They’re also used for work, school, and other tasks that can cause eyestrain and headaches.

To help reduce this stress, many brands add blue light filters to their sunglasses. These filters reduce the amount of blue light reaching your eyes. So you can enjoy your devices as usual.

 Blue light lenses filter the high-energy light that is emitted from digital screens. The coatings are made of a special polymer that absorbs the blue wavelengths. This creates a tinted appearance but allows you to see just as clearly as with clear lenses. This is a perfect option if you spend most of your days looking at electronic devices.

Anti-fog Coating

People living in warmer climates are familiar with the problem of fogged-up glasses. When you’re sweating, your lenses start to fog up, and it’s nearly impossible to see again until you wipe them off.

 Anti-fog coatings help create a chemical barrier on the lens surface. This prevents moisture from forming droplets. These coatings are crucial if you live in a hot, humid climate or spend time outdoors during summer.

 The disadvantage of anti-fog coatings is that they can wear off over time. Suppose your glasses are fogging up frequently. Then consider cleaning them professionally to remove the coating and then reapplying.

Conclusion

Sun protection lenses are great if you want to protect your eyes from ultraviolet light. They can also help reduce glare and improve contrast. This is especially helpful for people who spend a lot of time outdoors or driving.