Choose the right color for sunglasses

You can't judge sunglasses by their color. At least, not when it comes to eye protection. Tints do not reflect how well the lenses block ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Sunglasses lenses are treated with UV absorbing chemicals. These chemicals are usually colorless. So clear lenses block light just like dark ones.1 But they don't block glare.

Why are there so many lens colors available? This article discusses the purpose of colored lenses and the benefits of different colors.

Best uses for different tints of sunglasses
Ferriwell / Gary Verster
The purpose of the tinctures
Tints filter light in different ways. Some are better at blocking light. Some enhance colors, others distort them.

Tints can enhance your vision in some cases. You may like the look of one color or another. But pretty may not be the best fit for your lifestyle

ashen
Gray is a popular neutral colour. Allows your eyes to perceive colors in their purest form.

Gray tints reduce brightness and glare. Choose gray for:

Leadership
Outdoor sports such as golf, running and cycling
orange yellow
Yellow and orange tints increase contrast in hazy, hazy, or low-light conditions. They tend to make things look edgier, both indoors and outdoors. But they can distort the colors.

Choose shades of yellow for:

Snow related activities
Indoor ball sport
use at night
Driving in the fog
You may want different lens colors for the same activity in different conditions. For example, skiers often use tints of gray or brown on sunny days and yellows or oranges when it's snowing or foggy.

Green color
Green tints filter some blue light and reduce glare. They also provide high contrast and optical clarity.

Green also tends to reduce eye strain in bright light. Choose green for precision sports such as:

Tennis
baseball
golf
brown amber;
Amber and brown tints reduce glare and block blue light. Brightens visibility on cloudy days. It increases contrast and visual sharpness.

It's especially useful on green and blue backgrounds, such as grass and sky. Choose amber and brown tints for:

fishing
baseball
golf
the hunt
Cycling
water sports
melanin pigments
Melanin - the pigment in your skin - is now available in sunglass tints. It's what your body uses to protect you from UV rays. Therefore, manufacturers claim that lenses containing melanin protect your eyes from aging associated with exposure to sunlight.

Red Rose
Pink tints increase contrast by blocking blue light. They have a reputation for soothing the eyes. And they may be more comfortable for longer periods of wear.

Choose red tints for:

Better visibility while driving
Reduce screen glare and eye strain
Choose the best sunglasses to protect your eyes
summary
Tinted sunglasses have different properties depending on their color. You cannot measure UV protection by color.

Gray color is good for driving and outdoor sports. Yellow and orange add contrast and look great in the snow. Green reduces glare.

Brown tones block blue light and increase contrast with the grass and sky. Tints of red may be calming and good for long car trips.
Protect your eyes from the sun
Word from Verywell
When buying sunglasses, focus first on UV protection. Next, consider lens tints and what works best for you. You may find that you love different people for different purposes.

If you have vision problems or an eye disease, ask your ophthalmologist which color is best for you. Some of them may offer special benefits.