Lens Design (Standard vs Digital HD [High Definition] Design):
Optical lenses by nature, consist of multiple curved surfaces, which means there will always be some degree of light distortion around the periphery/sides of the lenses. The effects of light distortion become more pronounced for higher prescription powers and for goggles, glasses or sunglasses with more curved lenses (e.g. wrap-around sunglasses).
While Digital HD Designed lenses (regardless of lens material) will always result in clearer vision all-round, as a general rule however, you are likely to enjoy noticeable improvements by selecting these lenses as opposed to standard lenses if your required prescription is above Sphere (indicates near/farsight correction required) of +/-3.00 and Cyl (indicates astigmatism correction needed) of +/-1.50.
Polycarbonate Lenses vs Plastic Lenses:
Polycarbonate lenses are impact resistant safety lenses used for protection in sports goggles whereas Plastic optical lenses are recommended for casual wear (not for use with contact or impact sports).
Ultra-Thin/High Index Lenses:
Light weight/slimline, plastic optical lenses are generally recommended for casual wear and are not required unless the total prescription power for any one eye is greater than +/-8.0 (i.e. sum of sphere power and cylinder power > +/-8.0 -eg: sphere for right eye = -5.0 and cylinder for right eye = -3.5 hence total power for right eye = -8.5 thus require ultra thin/high index lenses). Please consult our Opticians if you have any questions regarding this.
Hard and Super Hard Lens Coating:
Hard coating is standard on all our lenses. Hard coating essentially forms a protective layer on the lenses that helps guard against scratches. Super hard coat (optional extra) is also available, which is an even tougher coating for maximum scratch protection.
Anti-Reflective Lens Coating:
Blue Light Protection Coating:
Studies have shown that regular exposure to High Energy Visible (HEV) Light emitted from digital devices such as smart phones and computers, especially Blue Light that falls in the 415nm to 455nm band of the spectrum, can lead to health problems such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts later in life. There is also evidence to suggest that Blue Light disrupts normal circadian rhythms (i.e. sleep patterns).
The patented design of our Blue Light Protection coating will significantly filter out both HEV as well as harmful Blue Light with only minor color distortion (i.e. very slightly yellow in appearance). Please be aware that blue block lenses marketed as zero-color distortion lenses may only offer partial protection to Blue Light (see below).
UV420 Lenses/Coating:
This option can be selected as a lens coating type in our store for easier selection of options by the user but in reality, this is not a type of coating but rather a type of lens with photochromic dye dispersed/infused in the lens material itself.
In addition to full UV protection, UV420 lenses will also filter out High Energy Visible (HEV) Light and some harmful Blue Light but only up to 420nm. This option presents a good trade-off between full Blue Light Protection coated lenses (indoor use only) and regular UV cut lenses since the UV420 lenses remain clear with no color distortion and can be used both outdoors and indoors but at the expense of no Blue Light protection higher up in the HEV light spectrum between the 421nm and 455nm range.
Hydrophobic Lens Coating:
It repels water (or sweat) off the lenses much more effectively than regular lenses. This coating also makes it much easier and quicker to wipe clean your lenses so you take less time off the ball.
Color Lens Tinting:
A common misconception is that only color tinted lenses provide UV protection while clear lenses do not; this is not always true. All our lenses, including clear ones, are UV400 rated that offers maximum UV protection against harmful UV radiation from the sun. Color tinting, apart from reducing sunglare, can also help improve contrast (e.g. help you see the ball better on a green field) as well as depth perception, depending on the type of surface or surroundings you enjoy your sport in, together with the lighting conditions.
Brown: Improves depth perception and contrast, particularly against grassy green fields or blue sky. Often used for tennis, golf, boating, soccer etc.
Grey: Grey color or smoke tinted lenses do not alter natural colors and are great for general outdoor use.
Green: Improves contrast (less so compared with brown) but doesn't affect color balance as much. It also reduces glare while brightening shadows. A good general purpose color for outdoor sports such as golf.
Yellow: Increases contrast under low light conditions such as fog, first light or late afternoons/early evenings and also flat light condition (i.e. indoor pool lighting). It also delivers sharper focus since it filters blue light. Generally used for indoor swimming, cycling, skiing, tennis, archery and shooting.
Polarized Lenses:
Not to be confused with anti-reflective lens coating (see above), these lenses reduce glare reflecting off shiny surfaces such as snow and water, thus, for example, allows you to see marine life/fish under the water that's normally hidden behind sunglare (great for fishing). Essentially, ideal for outdoor use under bright sunlight.
Transitions/Photochromic Lenses:
These lenses combine the best of both worlds; the lenses look practically clear (only a very slight grey tint is visible) under low light conditions while turning into grey tinted lenses when exposed to sunlight (level of tint changes according to sunlight intensity). These lenses are ideal for those who are active both indoors and outdoors. They are also great for cyclists/bikers, for example, that start their rides very early in the morning (low light) and then finish up later in the morning (brighter sunlight) since they can simply take with them one pair instead of 2 pairs of glasses.
Mirror Lens Coating:
While mainly selected for cosmetic reasons, they do also help reduce glare. One thing to note when ordeing is that mirror coating will only show up on color tinted lenses (will not show up on clear lenses).