Colors of Polarized Sunglasses and Their Uses

Polarized sunglasses contain lenses with micro crystals that block light glare. Rays that are reflected and stronger than than normal light constitute glare, and occur after light strikes surfaces -- such as pavement, glass, snow or water. Polarized lenses eliminate glare and are recommended for driving, cycling, snow sports and water sports. They are manufactured in several different colors, and each one is recommended for a specific environment or activity.

Contrast

• Brown and rose polarized lenses will improve the contrast of your sight. This is comparable to removing the haziness of a picture by using a filter. These colors fare particularly well in low-light environments and foggy or hazy conditions. Brown lenses are popular for driving, boating and skiing. Rose-colored glasses are recommended for longer wear, as they are easiest on the eyes. Various shades of red are also used to enhance visual acuity in people who suffer with macular degeneration. Brown and rose lenses can be all one color or have a gradient tint, with the darkest color at the top of the lens and lightening towards the bottom.

Depth Perception

• Yellow polarized lenses help to improve depth perception and are recommended for night driving and hunting. However, be aware that yellow lenses can distort natural colors when worn outdoors. If you have problems with depth perception, then grey lenses keep it as normal as possible, as they tend to flatten light. Grey lenses improve depth perception best during the day, specifically in bright light situations, while yellow lenses improve depth perception in low-light situations.

UV Light

• Green-lensed sunglasses reduce glare and stop UV -- or ultraviolet -- light from reaching the eyes by absorbing a portion of that light. There are two types of UV light, UVA and UVB, and both can cause severe damage through long-term effects. Those include skin cancer in the eyelids; photokeratitis, or a form of natural blindness cause by snow, concrete or water -- or artifically by tanning beds -- that burns the cornea; an abnormal growth in the corner of the eye called pterygium; cataracts; and sunburn on the surface of the eye. A complete protection is possible with UV coating on the lenses and can be applied to all colored lenses, blocking both types of UV light.

True Colors

• If you do not want colors to be distorted when looking through sunglasses, grey- and green-tinged lenses are the best to wear. When outdoors, colors don't change while viewed through grey lenses; they merely appear darker. Grey and green produce truer color definition and simultaneously reduce glare, although green may slightly distort color at times. Green lenses can help differentiate between red- and yellow-colored objects, but shades of green being viewed through green lenses tend to look monochromatic.