The right sunglass lens for you depends on the light you meet most often and how sensitive your eyes are to light. Compare our standard, polarised and photochromic lenses, then choose the option that fits how and where you spend time.
Consistent daylight
Choose standard
Our standard lenses have a straightforward fixed tint for everyday outdoor use when you do not need a specialist glare filter or a tint that changes through the day.
Our photochromic lenses change tint with UV exposure outdoors. They can be useful when you plan to wear sunglasses through the day and move between brighter and dimmer conditions.
Our three lens types suit different needs. Use this table as a quick decision guide, then check the specification on each product page because availability in our range varies by model.
Compare
Standard
Polarised
Photochromic
What it does
Our standard lenses keep the same fixed tint in outdoor light.
Our polarised lenses use a filter designed to reduce reflected glare from bright horizontal surfaces.
Our photochromic lenses change tint in response to outdoor UV.
Best for
Our standard lenses suit everyday use and consistent daylight.
Our polarised lenses can be useful for daytime driving and in reflective settings such as around water, snow and wet roads.
Our photochromic lenses suit walking, cycling and days that move between brighter and dimmer outdoor light.
Reflected glare
Our standard lenses reduce general brightness but do not use a polarising filter.
Of the three lens types in our range, polarised lenses are designed specifically to reduce reflected glare.
Our photochromic lenses change tint; some of our products also include polarisation, so check the individual product.
Behind a windscreen
Our standard lenses maintain their fixed tint.
Our polarised lenses can be useful when glare is a concern, provided the exact lens is suitable for daytime driving.
Photochromic lenses, including ours at Eyesnug, can remain lighter behind a windscreen because windscreens block much of the UV that activates the tint.
Screens and instruments
Our standard lenses do not use a polarising filter.
When viewed through our polarised lenses, some screens can look darker or show patterns at certain angles.
Our photochromic tint responds to outdoor UV rather than the content on a screen.
Main trade-off
Our standard lenses do not adapt or specifically filter reflected glare.
Polarisation does not itself change tint; some of our products combine it with a photochromic tint. Polarising filters may affect some digital displays.
The transition speed and darkness of our photochromic lenses vary with UV level, temperature and lens formulation.
These categories are not always exclusive. Some of our lenses combine photochromic and polarised features, so check the individual product description before choosing.
Shop by lens type
Standard
Polarized
Photochromic
Photochromic lens science
How our photochromic lenses change tint
Our photochromic lenses change tint in response to outdoor UV. Photochromic technology uses light-responsive molecules that change structure when exposed to UV. The changed molecules absorb more visible light, so the lens appears darker. As UV exposure falls, the molecules return towards their clearer state and the lens fades back.
One of our photochromic lenses shown across low, moderate and high UV. The exact tint depends on UV level, temperature and other conditions.The same lens from our range under moderate UV at 20°C and 30°C, illustrating how it may appear lighter in warmer conditions.
01
UV starts the change
As activating UV increases, the tint response generally becomes stronger, although temperature and lens formulation also affect the result.
02
The lens absorbs more light
As the molecules change structure, the lens absorbs more visible light and looks darker. The change is progressive rather than an instant on-and-off switch.
03
Lower UV lets it fade back
When UV falls, the molecules move back towards their clearer state. Transition speed varies by formulation, temperature and lens material.
Why heat matters: Our photochromic lenses can stay lighter in high heat because temperature influences the response as well as UV. In cooler conditions, they can darken more and may take longer to fade back. The exact response varies by lens formulation, colour, material and conditions.
Unpolarised light travels in many orientations. After it reflects from water, wet roads, glass, snow or another glossy surface, much of the harsh glare becomes horizontally oriented.
The filters in our polarised lenses are designed to reduce horizontally oriented reflected light while allowing other light through. This can mean less distracting reflected glare reaches your eyes.
1Sunlight reflects from a bright or glossy surface.
2The reflection concentrates horizontal glare.
3The filter is designed to reduce that glare.
Polarisation alone does not tell you how dark one of our lenses is or what UV protection it provides. Check both specifications on the product page, and remember that some digital displays can look darker through polarised lenses at certain angles.
Our standard fixed-tint lenses can make daylight feel less bright. Our polarised lenses add a filter designed to reduce reflected glare from surfaces such as water, glass and wet roads.
Adaptive is different from polarised
Photochromic refers to a lens that changes tint, while polarised refers to a glare-reducing filter. In our range, some lenses combine both.
UV protection is a separate specification
Do not use tint darkness or polarisation alone as a proxy for UV protection. Check the stated UV specification for each of our lenses.
Shop by lens type
Standard
Polarized
Photochromic
Choose by what you do
Start with the most demanding part of your day rather than trying to find one lens that is perfect in every situation.
Daytime driving
Our standard lenses keep a fixed tint. Our polarised lenses can be useful for daytime driving when reflected glare from wet roads or other vehicles is the main concern. Our photochromic lenses can remain lighter behind a windscreen because it blocks much of the UV that activates the tint.
Our photochromic lenses can be useful when outdoor brightness changes along the route. Consider one of our polarised lenses if reflected glare matters more than an adapting tint.
No. Our photochromic lenses change tint in response to UV outdoors, while our polarised lenses use a filter designed to reduce reflected glare. Some of our lenses combine both technologies.
Can sunglasses be both photochromic and polarised?
Yes. Some of our lenses combine an adapting photochromic tint with polarisation. Check the individual product description because availability differs by model and colour.
Which lens is best for daytime driving?
For daytime driving, our standard lenses provide a predictable fixed tint, while our polarised lenses can help when reflected glare is the priority. Our photochromic lenses can remain lighter behind a car windscreen because the glass blocks much of the UV that activates the tint. Always check that the exact tint is suitable for daytime driving, and never wear dark sunglasses for night driving.
Does polarised mean UV protected?
Not by itself. Polarisation and UV protection describe different properties. Check the stated UV specification for the individual Eyesnug product rather than judging protection by tint darkness or polarisation alone.
Why can a polarised lens make a screen look strange?
Polarising filters, including those in our lenses, can interact with some LCD screens and instrument displays, making them look darker, patterned or harder to read at certain angles. If screen visibility is important, bear this in mind when choosing one of our polarised lenses for use with that device or display.
Why can photochromic lenses look lighter in hot weather?
Our photochromic lenses can stay lighter in high heat because temperature influences the response as well as UV. In cooler conditions, they can darken more and may take longer to fade back. The exact response varies by lens formulation, colour, material and conditions.
Which lens should I choose for light-sensitive eyes?
Choose the lens from our range that matches your main trigger: fixed brightness, reflected glare or changing outdoor light. Our close-fit wraparound frames also add coverage around the eye area. If light sensitivity is new, severe, painful or affects your vision, seek advice from an optician or eye-care professional.
