Tint Recommendations
Quick and simple optical tint terminology
Visible light absorption (VLA): means light being blocked or absorbed by the lens called intensity
Visible light transmission (VLT): means light entering or transmitting through the lens
Thus, if the VLA is 75% then the VLT is 25%
Most Optical outlets label their tint absorption as such.
Tint #1 20%
Tint #2 50%
Tint #3 75%
Tint #4 85% (darkest legal tint intensity for driving)
Beware: you can purchase sunglasses up to 97% (VLA)
By the way I recommend Category IV lenses for the total blind, low to little vision, those who suffer migraine headaches, post cataracts and other eye surgeries, and people who suffer from extreme photophobia.
*Just know that you cannot legally drive with this dark lens.
Most sunglasses sold in America are Tint #3
For most outdoor activities and daytime driving a 70-80% intensity works well. For sports like mountain climbing or snow skiing, 90% tints and above are recommended.
Lens Category 3: Sunglasses (9 – 18% light transmission):
These are the darkest standard sunglasses you can get that are legal to drive with in the United States Jul 23, 2021
https://www.allaboutvision.com/sunglasses/color-lenses/
Dark colors (brown/gray/green) are ideal for everyday use and most outdoor activities. Darker shades are intended primarily to cut through the glare and reduce eyestrain in moderate-to-bright conditions. Gray and green lenses won’t distort colors, while brown lenses may cause minor distortion.
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/sunglasses.html
According to the National Academy of Opticianry gives the following recommendations for everyday sunglass tints
Gray is the most widely used tint, particularly for sun wear. That’s because it transmits colors evenly with less color change. However, it is not as recommended for patients with emerging cataracts. If tinting in office, it is possible to add yellow to improve contrast for these patients.
Brown has more yellow in the color, so it increases contrast better than the gray. For that reason, it is a better choice for patients with emerging cataracts. It is also good for hazy days, or if the patient is participating in visual tasks that require good contrast and depth perception, such as golfers and drivers
Green is a better choice over gray for improving contrast and will give a fairly good color balance. …………. It also produces a transmission curve of light closest to that of the human eye. For that reason, it is steadily gaining popularity in the U.S. sunglass market. Green tinted glass lenses also have fairly good absorption of the Infra-Red wavelength, whereas other tinted lens materials are not as effective. ………
https://www.nao.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/AbsorptionTransmissionTints-and-Coatings.pdf
Gray
This is the number one tint color for those with good vision as well as those with poor or no vision at all. True or Neutral Grey offers very little or no color distortions. It offers the darkest possible tint (Visual Light Absorption) for the brightest of days. The best all-around tint for bright light. Good for being a spectator outdoors on a sunny day, like sporting events, walking, jogging, cycling, etc. Beware of low lighting conditions light dusk, dawn or overcast days it can greatly reduce your visual acuity or sharpness of vision. So, professional drivers beware other colors may suit you better, or opt for two pair one for bright days and one for overcast days. And if you drive or fly at night try my night driving recommendations.
Neutral Grey
Benefits: Grey lenses almost always provide more light reduction than those of any other tint, and for that reason they are the best choice for spending long periods outside in the sun. Grey is a neutral color, and these lenses do not alter the way the eye perceives color. Still, this does mean that grey lenses provide less contrast, and certain colors and objects will not “pop out.”
Popular Styles: Grey lenses are almost the standard for general use, and so just about any style from sport to fashion is available in a grey tint. It is recommended to start with a grey pair, and to branch out from there as you add more sunglasses to your collection.
https://www.lensdirect.com/blog/glasses/sunglass-lens-color-guide/
BROWN
This glare-reducing tint helps make cloudy days a bit brighter and improves the visibility of objects. Though slightly brighter lens than the grey, it is good for blocking harmful UV rays on a cloudy day. This tint improves contrast and depth perception where you need to make out small objects at a distance. Sports like golf and baseball can benefit. Best for lower light situations like dust and dawn so truck drivers, cabs, UPS drivers can benefit, and is a favorite among race car drivers.
GREEN
Green sunglass lenses can do what gray and brown lenses can do, but better! Sunglasses with green lenses provide better contrast than gray lenses and transmit color accuracy better than brown lenses. Ideal for both sunny and low-light environments, green lenses have a way of reducing glare while brightening shadows. Perfect for water or field sports, cycling or skiing, these lenses protect and comfort your eyes on foggy, cloudy, or bright, sunshiny days.
- Perfect for any outdoor activity, in rain or shine
- Transmits all colors evenly
- Good for general purpose use
- Dims glare while brightening shadows