According to optometrist Dr. Besty S. Jacob, it’s important to choose lenses that offer 100% UV protection, also called UV400. That way, you know you’re getting full coverage against both UVA and UVB rays. Lens Categories In other words, it’s not the color that matters when it comes to shielding your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays; it’s what’s on the UV label that counts. And the label on any quality pair of sunglasses should read 100% UV protection, whatever color the lenses. One reviewer wrote: “This is my third pair of Maui Jim’s and I have loved each pair. They are super light weight and are always comfortable. They also last. I still have my other two pairs, but I wanted to update my style a bit since one pair is 6 years old and the other is 10 years old. The polarization is amazing and they are all I recommend!”

While standard lenses reduce the overall intensity of visible light, polarized lenses take it one step further. Dr. Jacob reports that they can protect against glare and enhance vision in bright sunlight. They can also boost color and contrast, thereby making it easier for you to see. Are Transition Lenses Good For Light-Sensitive Eyes?Some Polarized Category 4 Sunglasses With Shields For Outdoor Sports: Julbro Explorer 2.0 Mountain Sunglasses Blue- or purple-tinted sunglass lenses provide stunning and enhanced color perception. They also help you see contours around objects more clearly while offering protection from reflective surfaces, especially snow. Sunglasses with blue lenses also work well in foggy and misty weather. Plus, they look good on almost any skin tone. A greenish colored lens helps provide contrast by filtering out some blue light. This also helps reduce glare and eye strain in brighter sunlight. This tint works well in sunglasses used to play golf or tennis and for everyday wear. When choosing colored lenses, be sure to consider your lifestyle, such as daily work and recreational activities, and how you plan to use your sunglasses. Each color is specifically suited to enhance and improve vision in certain settings and activities. Before purchasing sunglasses with colored lenses, try to evaluate the different lens colors in lighting conditions similar to what you typically experience. Some sportier sunglasses frames even include interchangeable lenses so you can customize the tint for various activities and conditions.

The reality is, each colored lens provides different benefits. The right lens tint should ultimately enhance your depth perception and reduce eye fatigue without hindering your ability to see clearly. UV protection matters more than lens colorThis neutral color reduces glare, especially when on the water, which is especially helpful for fishing sunglasses, and it’s a great color to shield bright light. Gray-tinted lenses work well on both cloudy and sunny days, providing anti-fatigue benefits, which make them great for all-purpose use, such as driving. These extra-dark sunglasses were built to weather the extreme, with considerations that sensitive eyes might appreciate at all altitudes. They have photochromatic lenses that provide a clear picture in a variety of light conditions, and the categories range from 2 to 4 to let in 5% to 20% of visible light. The lenses are also polarized to reduce glare further, and they offer complete UV protection and have an anti-fog coating. The Julbo Explorers feature removable side guards to protect your peripheral vision (or leave them off entirely for a less athletic look), and you can move the temples in every direction — a feature that was meant to accommodate a helmet on extreme sports but also lends to custom comfort. Plus, there’s a non-polarized option in the listing for more color options.