Technologically Advanced High Performance Eyewear

Advances In High Performance Sunglasses
by Geoffrey Holdermiller

Todays high performance sunglasses have come a long way from just a few years ago. I bet you have never thought about how sunglasses actually work and did not realize how many choices are available. Lets dive into the technological advancements in todays eyewear so the next time your in the market for some new shades you will have a better idea of what shades are right for you.

Sunglasses look like such a simple thing but they are much more complex than you may realize. As you will see there is a big difference in the various types of high performance eyewear available today. A good pair of sunglasses should provide protection from ultraviolet rays and also from light itself. Good sunglasses can also protect your eyes from glare and eliminate specific frequencies of light. Certain frequencies of light can blur your vision and others can actually enhance contrast.

Today high performance sunglasses use a variety of advanced technologies to control light. These technologies include tinting, polarization, mirroring, anti-reflective coatings, scratch resistant coatings, and UV coatings. The color of the tint used in lenses determines what part of the light spectrum they absorb. Polarized filters are a chemical film applied to the lens to eliminate glare. Mirroring is also an applied coating easily scratches. Anti-reflective coatings are used to reduce the light that hits the back of the lens and bounces into the eyes and UV coatings eliminate harmful UV radiation from reaching your eyes.

Light is polarized when the light waves are aligned into one or more planes of direction. The chemical compounds used in the films which are applied to the lens are composed of molecules that align in parallel relation to one another. When they are applied evenly to a lens, the molecules create a microscopic filter that absorbs light which matches their alignment. When wearing high performance eyewear with polarized lenses you will enjoy a clearer view and eliminate glare.

Most high performance sunglasses now use polycarbonate lenses. This new technology is actually a synthetic plastic which is very strong, lightweight and impact resistant. Another advanced technology is CR-39 that is a plastic made from hard resins that meet optical quality standards. Glass is still used but rarely even though it is the most scratch resistant.

You will find that glass and polycarbonate lenses have their colors evenly distributed across each lens and that there are no distortions. Cheap sunglasses will commonly have distorted lenses. You can easily check to see if the lenses are distorted by holding them a shot distance from your face and moving them slowly from right to left and up and down. Look through the lens with one eye closed at a straight line. If the line does not stay straight than the lenses are not of optical quality.

Manufacturers have developed ways to add coatings to lenses to increase their scratch resistance because plastics are not nearly as scratch resistant as glass. These coatings are made of polycrystalline diamond and diamond-like carbon or DLC. They use ionization to create a thin but durable film on the lens. These coatings help keep scratches to a minimum on you lenses.

High performance sunglasses are available to aid in the comfort of your eyes. That is made possible due to the control of visible light or white light. Sunglasses provide various levels of protection from this type of light. Many types of tints are also available today. Yellow lenses are available which brighten hazy days. Smoke lenses provide true color reproduction and brown lenses help with depth perception and contrast. Clear sunglasses are available which block 100% of UV radiation.

Remember that your particular situation will determine which pair of sunglasses will be best for you. Your new knowledge in the technology of today's high performance sunglasses shouldn surely help.

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Features to Look for when Shopping for Motorcycle Sunglasses
by Geoffrey Holdermiller

Wearing the right motorcycle sunglasses or goggles is a key part of motorcycle safety. If you wear cheap and ineffective sunglasses, it is worse than wearing nothing at all. When you look for your next pair of sunglasses make sure that you keep in mind a few key items.

Be sure that the lenses block out 99 to 100% of ultraviolet rays, both UVA and UVB rays and at least 75% of visible light. Buying cheap sunglasses that don't have this protection can increase the risk of injury to your eyes. Inexpensive sunglasses block some light which will allow more light into the eye as well as the harmful UV rays.

Today there are technological advances in the way lenses are made. Lenses made of polycarbonate are thinner and do not weigh as much as the old plastic and glass lenses. These new lenses also block out infrared radiation which is responsible for scratchy and dry eyes.

Polycarbonate lenses use in motorcycle sunglasses and goggles are virtually shatterproof and impact resistant and favored by those who travel the highways and byways. Due to how tough these lenses are they have become the lenses of choice for extreme sports sunglasses and safety eyewear.

When looking at the different styles of motorcycle sunglasses or goggles, make sure that you choose the type that hug the face. It is important to protect the front and side of the face from wind, debris and sun.

When investing in a good pair of motorcycle sunglasses or goggles it is wise to get a pair with a decent scratch resistant coating. The leading scratch resistant coatings on the market today go a long way in keeping even the smallest scratches like the ones you get from just cleaning off of your lenses. This will help keep your vision clear and true.

Motorcycle sunglasses and goggles now have frames that are more flexible and durable thanks to new technology. High quality frames can take on the wear and tear of daily use from a motorcycle driver.

Designer brands are expensive, but not always better. You are paying for the name and all the companies advertising. Now that you know what to look for, do your research and buy for safety and quality - not the designer name.

Prior to buying anything online, make sure you check out Geoffrey Holdermiller's site for other articles relating to eyecare and examples of technologically advanced Motorcycle Sunglasses, and Motorcycle Goggles Get your own completely unique content version of this article.