Eye care professionals play a pivotal role in ensuring optimal vision correction for patients, and sun protection is no exception. The world of sunwear is constantly evolving, with cutting-edge technologies offering solutions tailored to your patients’ specific needs.

It is our role, as industry professionals, to answer the question asked by many of our customers; “Is there a perfect pair of sunglasses for me?”.

The ever-expanding landscape of advanced sunwear technologies demands a deep understanding to effectively guide our customers towards the ideal solution.

WRITER Alycia Coupe

For activities plagued by intense glare, polarised lenses are the undisputed champions. They incorporate a specialised filter that blocks horizontally reflected light, significantly reducing glare bouncing off water, snow, roads, and other flat surfaces. This translates to sharper vision, improved contrast sensitivity, and reduced eye strain, which is ideal for driving, fishing, boating, and other outdoor pursuits.

Sun tint lenses on the other hand, offer a reduced level of glare reduction by simply adding a coloured dye to the lens. For optometrist Luke Yong of Luke Optometry in Sydney, sun tint lenses simply “can’t compete with the effectiveness of polarised lenses. Polarised lenses provide a significant improvement in visual comfort and clarity, especially in environments with intense glare.”

A criticism of polarised lenses has been that they can interfere with liquid crystal display screens, causing black, very dark, or even blank splotches. This is due to the liquid crystals, which do not emit light themselves, only reflecting horizontal light. As described above, polarised lenses are designed to block horizontal light and only allow vertical light to reach the eye.

The good news is that viewing liquid crystal screens when wearing polarised lenses is increasingly a problem of the past. Recognising the popularity of these lenses, manufacturers are changing the direction of polarised filters in new screens and devices. Consequently, most modern devices and displays (outside of aviation), are now minimally impacted by polarised lenses.

As Craig Johnston of Younger Optics explained, “The polarised filter is set at 180 degrees in our specs. The polar filter in the digital dashboards are now being set at 45 degrees to stop the ‘bi-refringence’. A problem still exists for heads up displays (HUDs) however, because the display is reflected up onto the windscreen”.

Due to the HUD’s reflection angle off the windshield, the virtual image is polarised at the same angle as glare coming off the road. This causes sunglasses to filter out the HUD image, leaving the HUD seemingly invisible.

COLOURS FOR SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES

While Justin Chiang of Tokai Optical cautioned that “colour perception is subjective, and people have different preferences”, it is important to understand that lens colour does plays a crucial role in optimising vision for specific activities.

To guide your recommendations, in conjunction with lifestyle questioning, you may like to consider what our industry professionals had to say:

• Grey-based lenses minimise colour distortion, making them perfect for boating and driving applications (Justin Chiang, Tokai Optical).

• Copper-based lenses enhance reds, browns, and yellows, which can be ideal for sports like golf where target discrimination is crucial (Luke Yong, Luke Optometry).

• Brown-based lenses provide excellent contrast for everyday use, particularly during hikes or walks (Dr Fiona Om, CR Labs).

PHOTOCHROMIC LENS ADVANCEMENTS

Photochromic lenses contain light-sensitive molecules. When exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays, these molecules undergo a chemical reaction, causing the lenses to automatically darken. Once the UV light source is removed, the molecules revert to their original state, allowing the lenses to clear again.

Photochromic lenses have long been a popular choice for their convenient lightadaptive properties. These options have traditionally faced limitations, because as Dr Fiona Om from CR Labs explained, “Traditional photochromic lenses could be slow to activate and deactivate, creating an awkward adjustment period.”

Recent advancements – with enhancements in kinetic performance and improvements in low-light functionality – have addressed these concerns. Today’s photochromic lenses even offer some degree of activation in low-light conditions, which translates to greater visual comfort for patients who frequently transition between environments.

Furthermore, as Mr Johnston explained, “the latest generation, like Transitions Gen S, boasts significantly faster activation and deactivation times. This ensures seamless adaptation between light conditions, providing a superior patient experience.”

According to Mr Chiang, the patients most likely to benefit from these fast-activating photochromic lenses are those “with dynamic lifestyles who frequently transition between sunlight and shade”.

Furthermore, these lenses are particularly beneficial for:

• Active individuals who engage in outdoor activities throughout the day and require variable light protection. Photochromic lenses adjust automatically, eliminating the need to carry multiple pairs.

• Convenience seekers looking for a one-stop solution, offering both sunglasses and clear lenses in a single pair.

It is important to note here that car windshields block most UV rays, preventing traditional photochromic lenses from activating sufficiently while driving. However, advancements such as Drivewear address this issue by reacting to visible light as well.

ADVANCEMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY

Alongside faster-activating photochromic lenses and drive-optimised lenses, we’re seeing other advances in sun lenses that include:

• CR Labs’ Satin+ premium anti-reflective coating with very low reflectance,

• Mirror coatings for both a stylish look and an additional layer of glare reduction where intense sunlight is a concern, and

• Tokai’s natural colour coating, which is designed to maintain natural colour perception while still reducing glare, making them ideal for photographers and other professionals who rely on accurate colour perception.

COMPLETE RX PROGRAMS

Complete Rx programs offer a compelling solution for patients requiring prescription sunglasses and practitioners looking to streamline processes. These programs, as highlighted by Mr Yong, “provide specialised products... resulting in superior optics and a refined fit of lenses into frames”.

There are several benefits for both you and your patients:

• Enhanced efficiency for streamlined ordering and faster turnaround times,

• An elevated patient experience by guaranteeing fit and performance with brand warranty and quality assurance.

• Potential cost savings for customers as complete Rx programs can sometimes offer bundled discounts compared to purchasing each component separately.

Some complete Rx programs to consider:

• CR Labs and Safilo deliver the ‘Full Circle’ program, which includes Carrera authentic prescription glasses and sunglasses.

• SMITH Rx program offers a similar service with SMITH’s ChromaPop lenses.

• Maui Jim provides complete prescription glasses and sunglasses with various material and lens design options.

• Oakley also offers a complete prescription glasses and sunglasses solution.

CONCLUSION

By staying abreast of advancements in sunwear technology, you can equip your patients with the ideal sunglasses for their outdoor adventures. Consider factors like photochromic lens activation speeds, low-light performance, the impact of colour on vision during consultations, and the potential benefits of complete Rx programs. Remember, you play a vital role in ensuring optimal vision correction and sun protection for your customers.

Empower them to see the world clearly and comfortably, no matter their outdoor pursuits.

Alycia Coupe is a qualified optical dispenser who joined the industry in 2018. She is an optical trainer with the Australasian College of Optical Dispensing and the Member Services Supervisor of Optical Dispensers Australia.