Lens Types

The lenses that you choose for your sunglasses are extremely important - it's not just about style when it comes to your eyewear. You need to choose the lenses that suit not only your personality, but your lifestyle.

Reflective and Mirror Coated Lenses

Blue blockers have been around for a long time, and block out the blue wavelengths of light. While you won't necessarily see any clearer than you will with any other type of sunglasses on the market, you may have greater depth perception. This makes blue blockers a popular choice for everyday, and many cataract patients wear them as it improves their ability to differentiate between various objects.

Mirror-coated lenses are useful for filtering out a great deal of light, so they are often worn by people who work in bright areas for long periods of time. However, mirror-coated lenses are considered very stylish, so you'll find a lot of regular sunglasses with this tint. For a lighter mirror coating, check out the Gargoyles Thunder style of shades, which are perfect for sports or everyday and have a lighter metallic coating.

Anti-reflective coating is also used to block out bright lights, and will stop the glare from the water or road so you can easily see while boating or driving. Don't mistake anti-reflective coating for UV protection, however; you'll still need to look for sunglasses that offer 99 to 100% UV blockage.

Gradient and Polarized Lenses

While used mainly for fashion these days, gradient lenses are still a common choice for drivers and military personnel. These lenses are darker at the top of the sunglasses to block out sunlight, but are lighter on the bottom so you can read instruments with ease. The Serengeti Condor sunglasses are a higher end type of gradient lenses, and will provide unbeatable protection while looking fashionable.

If you are an avid sailor or drive a lot, polarized lenses can give you UV protection and allow you to clearly see the road or open water. Since they block out the harsh glare from the water or windshield, you won't constantly be squinting as you drive or maneuver your boat.

Many prescription eyeglasses wearers don't want to remove their glasses to put on a separate pair of glasses. Photochromatic lenses darken as you enter a bright area, and quickly lighten as you go into a darker room. These progressive lenses react quickly, so you won't have to wait long for UV protection when you head to the beach.