Sunglasses

We recommend that you wear sunglasses any time your eyes are exposed to UV light, whatever your age.  Sun light encourages premature aging of eyes and can increase the long-term risk of developing conditions such as cataracts.  It’s even more important to protect children’s eyes as they are still developing.  We offer a wide selection of high-quality sunglasses.  All of our sunglasses meet European UV protection standards. 

Prescription sunglasses

Whatever your prescription, it is important to protect the eyes against excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Protection is needed to avoid reflected light from sand and snow or if you spend long periods out of doors, particularly in the summer. Prescription sunglasses can be made with single-vision, bifocal or varifocal designs to offer the same standard of protection as non-prescription sunglasses.

Photochromic lenses

Photochromic lenses are lenses that change colour according to light conditions. When exposed to sunlight they darken quickly to eliminate glare and to protect the eyes against UV. These lenses are generally nearly clear when it is dark.

Those considering using photochromic lenses and/or tinted lenses need to consider their usage, particularly for activities in low light conditions where vision is critical, such as driving at night.

Several factors should be considered:

• Any tint will reduce the amount of light that is entering your eye. The darker the tint the more the light will be reduced. You should not wear a dark tint for night driving.

• As some light is lost from reflection from the lens surfaces, the performance of all lenses is enhanced if they are coated with an anti-reflection coating to reduce the reflections from the front and back surfaces of the lens. This is particularly important for the thinner, high index lenses. We will be able to advise you on this.

• When driving most photochromic lenses do not become as dark as they do outside. Car windscreens (and windows) filter and absorb most of the short wavelength light (near UV) that would normally trigger the darkening process. However, the latest technology lenses do darken to about 50% behind the windscreen. We can advise which is best for you.

Polarised lenses