Self-tinting glasses (photochromic lenses)
If you are tired of constantly having to change your glasses in the sun, then photochromic glasses are probably the right solution. In this article you will find all the important information about self-tinting glasses, the advantages and disadvantages and for whom they are suitable. We hope you enjoy reading.
What Are Self-Tinting Glasses?
For a simple definition, a self-tinting glass is a correction lens that changes color according to the sun's rays. This property of changing the color depending on the brightness offers the eyes optimal comfort, since they are not attacked by ultraviolet (UV) rays.
The dangers of aggressive sun rays
As you already know, ultraviolet rays are dangerous to our eyes. They either attack us directly, through diffusion or through reflections, such as on water. Indeed, water reflects UV at 10%, sand at 20% and snow at 85%. According to Betrand Roy, the president of ASNAV (the National Association for the Improvement of Eyesight), about 80% of people neglect the health of their eyes when it comes to sun exposure. A poor view exposes you to everyday road traffic hazards. It is therefore important to protect your eyes from UV rays so that you do not have any major problems in old age. To protect the eyes from aggressive rays, it is strongly recommended to wear either prescription sunglasses or glasses with self-tinting lenses.
"The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that light pollution from the sun exacerbates age-related macular degeneration or AMD. The latter is characterized by the aging of the central area of the retina or macula. Worldwide, the WHO has more than 100 million elderly victims."
How are self-tinting glasses made?
The manufacture of the self-tinting glasses requires special treatment. An additional coating is added to the glass, which consists of silver crystals and special molecules that can absorb UV rays. These are the molecules that react to the UV rays and automatically darken the glass. If the UV radiation subsides, the darkening gradually subsides. Self-tinting glasses offer the ideal shade for a perfect view, whether outdoors or in a room without having to change glasses.
The advantages?
This glass option is often recommended by opticians because it offers, in addition to protection against UVA and UVB rays, other advantages such as:
- - Glare protection: No matter where you are, the glasses automatically react to the brightness and offer you ideal glare protection.
- - The glasses adapt to almost all frame shapes, whether round, square, Windsor or wayfarer. The lenses are also suitable for all corrections (progressive lenses, single vision lenses, work glasses etc.)
- - Perfect for athletes: These glasses offer more comfort during physical activities such as swimming, skiing, jogging and much more. In fact, certain sports disciplines require a good view to get there.
- - It relieves eye fatigue: many do not know, but self-tinting glasses have the property of reducing eye fatigue while improving visual comfort.
All of the advantages mentioned make this refinement recommendable. But before you can make the right decision, you should also know the disadvantages.
The disadvantages:
Although wearing glasses with self-tinting glasses is recommended in your daily life, it still has some limitations and disadvantages. First, as mentioned above, self-tinting glasses are ineffective when driving.
In short, if you want to maintain the health of your eyes permanently and have a good view, the self-tinting glasses are the ones that perfectly suit your needs and comfort. You can even wear them while doing your favorite sports every day without them bothering you.
- - When driving: The glasses do not tint in the car because the windshield has the property of blocking the UV rays. It would be more ideal to wear sunglasses with or without prescription.
- - Color selection: There are only two colors available on the market, namely gray or brown.
- - The glasses never get as dark as sunglasses with UV protection factor 3. So if you want really dark glasses, you should get sunglasses with UV filter category 3.
- - Even when not tinted, the glasses are still a little darker than normal glasses.
