Sunglasses
Southcoast Optical carries a huge assortment of quality name brand sunglasses for sport and driving needs. We also carry a variety of Fashion Sunglasses that not only protect your eyes, but look great too. Stop by and see our selection today.
Results from a dozen studies over the last 10 years suggest that long hours in the sun without proper eye protection increase your chances of developing eye disease. Long term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight is linked to eye disease.
Almost every pair of sunglasses we sell has a scratch coating applied to the lenses. However, secondary coatings you choose for your sunglasses are based on your visual demands, expected comfort level, and the environmental conditions you will encounter. Coatings are chemical oxides applied to lenses, which may make them stronger in protection, less reflective, or more scratch-resistant. The knowledgeable staff at Southcoast Optical can help you with this decision and ensure the sunglasses you decide on are just right for you.
Sunglass Types
- Amber Lenses - Lenses that block all blue light are usually amber and make your surroundings look yellow or orange. The tint supposedly makes distant objects appear more distinct, especially in snow or haze. For this reason, amber sunglasses are popular among skiers, hunters, boaters and pilots.
- Photochromic Lenses - A photochromic glass lens automatically darkens in bright light and becomes lighter in low light. Most of the darkening takes place in about half a minute, while the lightening takes about five minutes. They come in a uniform or gradient tint. Although photochromic lenses may be good UV-absorbent sunglasses (again, the label must say that), it takes time for them to adjust to different light conditions.
- Polarized Lenses - Polarized lenses are the ultimate in sunglass lenses because they are the only lens that can actually cut reflected glare - sunlight that bounces off smooth surfaces like pavement or water. They can be particularly useful for driving and fishing. Polarization has nothing to do with UV light absorption, but all polarized lenses block harmful UV light. Polarized lenses are available in almost all prescription and nonprescription frames.
- Mirror Finish - Mirror finishes are thin layers of various metallic coatings on an ordinary lens. Although they do reduce the amount of visible light entering your eyes, do not assume they will fully protect you against UV radiation.
- Wraparound - Wraparound glasses are shaped to keep light from shining around the frames and into your eyes. Studies have shown that enough UV rays enter around ordinary eyeglass frames to reduce the benefits of protective lenses. Large-framed wraparound sunglasses can protect your eyes from all angles.
Designer Lines Available:
Nike
Flexon
Nautica
Coach
BCBG Maxazria
Ellen Tracy
Guess
Jessica McClintook
Maui Jim
- Lens Tint - Whether you're changing your look or optimizing your vision for changing light conditions, we offer a full spectrum of lens color options. Lens color is a key element to improving your vision and the tint color that you choose for your sunglasses is based on desired comfort, visual expectations, and environmental conditions. When designing prescription sunglasses, this same wide spectrum of lens colors can be added to custom-ground optical lenses. We can help you with this decision and ensure the sunglasses you decide on are just right for you.
- Gradient Tint - A gradient tint describes a lens with a full color tint at the top, fading gradually to no tint at the bottom of the lens. This is an excellent option for those who like to read outside, where the tint in the top of the lens protects from the sun above, but the clearer lens at the bottom allows one to read more comfortably. A “double gradient tint” describes a lens with one full color tint at the top and another full color tint at the bottom of the lens, separated by a medium tint in the center of the lens. Double gradient tints are popular with skiers, because the lenses block glare coming from above (sun) and below (snow), while allowing for a clearer viewing area in the middle.
- Constant Tint - The tint in these lenses are a fixed color that has a characteristic level of light absorption and light transmission. Tint density is defined as a percentage, where 0% is completely clear, and 100% permits no light to pass through (solid). A 10% to 20% tint is used for a “fashion” tint, and a 50% to 80% tint is used for outdoor protection from the sun. Constant tinting is the most economical and most common approach to sunglass design, providing excellent glare protection and are a good choice for those who are often in bright sunshine.
