A polarized lens is the best way to cut glare. Reducing glare keeps you from squinting, allowing you to enjoy your time in the sun more comfortably. Polarized lenses are never clear, so there are no good options that are both polarized and photochromic (Transition lenses that darken in the sunlight).

Polarization is not a coating placed on the outside of the lens. It is a thin layer of iodine crystals arranged in vertical rows and sandwiched into the middle of a lens. Although it may seem a bit feeble to compare this lens to microscopic mini blinds, that's really the easiest way to illustrate how polarization works. Light can pass straight through these crystals, but glare is completely blocked.

Coatings can be added to the surface of a lens to reduce glare, but these coatings affect all light, not just glare. A polarized lens will dramatically improve vision on sunny days near water, snow, or roadways.

The additional protection of polarized lenses is also important for refractive surgery patients and pre- or post-op cataract surgery patients. Anyone on UV sensitizing medications, such as insulin or hormone replacements, will greatly benefit from polarized lenses.

Polarized lenses are the greatest use of technology in the optical industry. There are some limitations and myths that surround this material. If you're a pilot, you probably already know that polarized lenses can make some LED instrumentation invisible. Most glass cockpits are not affected. (We recommend the Serengeti Drivers Gradient lens for pilots.) Skiers love polarized lenses in bright, sunny conditions on fresh snow, but alleged experts have been telling us for years that icy or crust spots could be harder to see. We tested this theory, and found it to be blatantly false.

Transitions (Photochromic) Lenses

Photochromic lenses change from a light to a dark tint based on the amount of sunlight or UV exposure. Silver halide is mixed with the lens material to cause this transformation. Photochromic lenses are very versatile.

Important Note About Photochromic Lenses:

We use Transitions brand photochromic lenses, and we consistently use only the most recent version of this product, so our lenses will always get as dark as possible, and darken as quickly as possible. It is impossible to get a better Transitions lens than the lenses we offer.

Transition lenses get darker as the sun gets brighter. These are clear at night, and are either grey or brown in sunlight. If you want a single pair of prescription glasses that you can use 24 hours a day, this is it.

There are few things you will want to be aware of when ordering Transitions lenses in sports eye wear:

• Transitions material will not get quite as dark in polycarbonate or Trivex lenses as it will in glass or CR-39 (plastic). We would not put a breakable lens, like glass or plastic, in sports glasses.

• Heat will slow down the darkening process in Transition lenses.

• After a few years, a Transitions lens may not get as dark, and will not darken as quickly.

• Transition lenses darken when exposed to UV light. Your car windows will block all UV light and your motorcycle visor might block it as well.

• If you order a Transitions lens, you should also consider an Anti-Reflective coating. This will minimize the “star-burst effect” at night from oncoming lights, and it will help darken the lens in daylight. AR coatings also provide great scratch protection.

Motorcyclists and bicyclists often request photochromic lenses so they won't have to change their glasses or lenses when the sun sets. Glass or CR-39 lenses are not strong enough for sports eye wear, so polycarbonate or Trivex are your only options. If you want these lenses to be completely clear at night, they will only get about 60% to 75% as dark as traditional dark glasses during the day. Some people choose to have a slight tint added to their photochromic lenses to compensate for this condition. Copper is a good choice because it adds contrast in low light conditions.

Tinted Lenses

Tinted lenses are your most economical option. The most popular tint colors are grey, copper, brown, or clear.

Anti-Reflective (AR) Coating

Typically, about 8% of the light that hits a lens is reflected off. AR coatings allow much more of the light to pass through to your eye. Although it may seem a little oxymoronic to put an AR coating on sunglasses, there are at least a couple good reasons to do it.

AR coatings on sunglasses have the most benefit on the back of the lens. If sunlight can reflect off the back of the lens and into your eye you need an AR Coating. Sunglasses that claim to filter out 100% of UV rays will actually provide no protection at all if sunlight is reflecting off the backside of the lens directly into your eye. Also, some of the newest AR coatings have also been better engineered to increase the scratch resistance of the lens.

The term "AR coating" is actually a bit misleading. It takes several metal oxide coatings to create the optical interference that counteracts reflected light waves and allows more light to be transmitted through the lens. Each layer is scientifically engineered to work with a specific segment of the color spectrum. So far, no one has figured out how to do this across the entire color spectrum without adding a slight tint to the lens. On clear dress eyewear, this might be a slight yellowish-green or purple cast. If the coating is on the front of the lens, your eyes will be more visible because the lens is less perceptible. AR coatings on sunglasses are just as effective, but less noticeable.

If you buy a Clear lens or a Transitions lens you should consider an AR Coating. This will reduce the “starburst” effect caused by light bulbs or headlights, and it will allow a Transitions lens to darken a little more, and a little faster.

When you clean a lens that has an AR coating, USE A CLEANER THAT IS APPROVED FOR AR LENSES. Many cleaners designed for regular glasses will ruin an AR coating. (See Accessories for AR-Safe lens cleaner.)

ADS Sports Eyewear is an optical company, not just a sunglass distributor. ALL of the glasses on this site are selected to improve your vision and preserve your sight. If an AR coating should be applied, it is. And when you receive an AR coating from us, it will be good one.

All glasses from Maui Jim and Kaenon have an AR coating on the back of the lens, as does the Bolle Metals Collection.

Flash or Mirror Coatings

A flash coating, also called mirror coating, is the opposite of an AR coating. Flash coatings reduce glare by reflecting it off the front of the lens before it can be amplified between the lens surfaces. The mirrored appearance will also prevent other people from seeing your eyes.

The color of a flash coating is only visible from the outside. If a gold flash is put on a blue lens, it will appear blue to the person wearing it, and gold mirror to everyone else. The color of the flash coat does not affect how color is perceived. It only acts as a shield against glare.