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Glare and the 2 Ps
It pays to mind your Ps and Qs when it comes to glare and protection from nature's visual challenges
Karlen McLean, ABOC, NCLC

The first step in fighting glare is utilizing the correct lenses, such as polarized and photochromics.

Glare is an everyday visual challenge. It can appear in any environment and its effects can be tiring, irritating, stressful, or even dangerous.  

While eyeglass wearers understand that they need lenses to sharpen visual acuity, they may not know that glare diminishes that acuity and that eyewear can protect them from glare.

A pair of Ps, polarized and photochromic lenses, can help protect patients from glare and more. Here's a rundown of some of the impact the two Ps can have when it comes to the Big G: Glare.

P 1: POLARIZED

A longtime favorite of fishing professionals, polarized lenses are increasingly stepping into the spotlight for a wider audience. Known for glare protection, these lenses block the light that causes glare.

Polarized lenses help eliminate glare

The problem: Reflections from horizontal surfaces, such as water, cars, or snow, are reflected as a plane wave. Dust, smog, and haze can also cause glare as polarized light bounces off airborne particles.

The solution: Polarized lenses eliminate glare and are available in a variety of lens materials, designs, colors, and powers. They also can be photochromic and carry AR.

Visual boosts: These lenses offer UV protection and heighten color contrast. Too much light can wash out colors. Polarized lenses neutralize the excess visible light, making colors more vivid. This also helps with depth perception.

Polarized lenses are ideal in situations where glare can be its most dangerous: When driving, boating, and working or playing outdoors.

P 2: PHOTOCHROMIC

Probably the most dispensed premium lens, photochromics have made the jump from a specialty lens to a mainstream option.

Photochromics provide users with a comfortable light level and improve contrast, plus offer UV protection. AR and photochromic technology help cut glare.

Photochromics fight discomforting glare

How it works: Traditional photo-chromic lenses change from light to dark depending on the exposure to UV light. Today's lenses are clear inside and darker outside.

There are two different formats for photochromics. One grouping of these color-changing lenses have their photochromic chemicals imbibed or saturated into the front surface of the lens after it is manufactured by a lens caster.

Another route is a process called "in-mass," in which plastic resins have photochromic chemicals mixed throughout the body of the lens.

Seeing is believing: Explain and demonstrate photochromic lenses' capabilities. Utilize in-office demonstration units or take patients outside to show them activation.

P PARTNERSHIP

Using either of the P products alone can be effective, but dispensing photochromic polarized lenses can be the best option for those who spend time outdoors battling glare.

Particularly effective for drivers, modern polarized photochromics can change from light to dark using both UV and visible light, so they are able to darken behind a car's windshield.

Too much light washes out color, shown top, while polarized lenses help make colors more defined and vivid.

This convenient combination can improve your patients' visual comfort and acuity.

Glaring Truths

Too much light causes glare. The right balance of light equals good vision. The optical industry has defined four levels of glare:

1. Distracting glare: Caused by light reflecting off the front and/or backside of ophthalmic lenses and by car headlights and streetlights at night, it can be annoying and can cause eye fatigue. Anti-reflective lenses are effective in eliminating distracting glare.

2. Discomforting glare: Caused by bright sunlight, it can exhibit in any weather or intensity of light, particularly when moving from one environment to another. It can cause eye fatigue and squinting. Photo-chromic lenses can help eliminate discomforting glare.

3. Disabling glare: Caused by intense light, such as facing into the sun, it can block vision and is potentially dangerous, such as when driving a vehicle. Fullyactivated photochromic lenses, lenses with a high percentage tint density, or polarized lenses all help
cut disabling glare.

Polarization provides defined color in many situations.

4. Blinding/reflected glare: Caused by light that is reflected off of smooth, shiny surfaces, it can block vision. Polarized lenses reduce blinding/ reflected glare.

The most complete eyewear solution to eliminate glare is three pairs of eyewear: Clear with AR, photochromic with AR, and polarized.

P is for Plano, Too

Contact lens wearers, those who don't require an Rx, post-cataract surgery patients, and young children, even infants, can benefit from plano glare-protective lenses. Here's how:

Photochromics are good for indoor and outdoor use

■ Photochromic and Trivex lenses are a good everyday choice.

■ Polycarbonate lenses are the safest selection for active wearers and children.

■ Polarized planos for outdoor sunwear and activities like driving can help boost performance and comfort.

■ AR can help optimize performance by cutting glare.