What’s the difference between photochromic and polarized lenses?

Quite a lot really! Here are a couple of brief explanations, predominantly about our lenses:

In our photochromic lenses the tint level will vary depending on the amount of UV light that they are exposed to. We call the amount of light that gets through a lens the light transmission rate (LTR). The photochromic element is embedded in the lens material and is designed to activate over a precise LTR range. This photochromic material quickly reacts to the environmental UV level, adjusting the tint and LTR of the lens.

So, in use, the light transmission is continually adjusting across its carefully chosen range, acting like a kind of optical suspension system. You won’t notice it happening but, in reality, it’s keeping your eyes relaxed over a wide range of environments and atmospheric conditions, making the lenses incredibly versatile.

The lenses are designed not to activate on the flight deck or other high contrast environment (because the windscreens filter out most of the UV), which means that you can still see the instruments clearly.

Our polarized lenses incorporate a filter which is like a tiny venetian blind. The filter is designed to block the light waves that have bounced off a planar reflective surface. You notice a substantial reduction in glare and visual clutter, which dramatically improves visual acuity. The effect is most obvious on snow, sand or water. For example, polarized lenses can be really useful when driving on a wet road surface, towards a low sun. You obviously have to remain vigilant in order to make sure that you see damp patches on roads where the reflection is dramatically reduced. The polarization of our lenses is set at a level which should assist you in this.

Polarized lenses are not suitable for airliner flight deck use.

Here is more info for you about each lens type.

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