What do you do when a patient complains about polarized lenses not being dark enough?
Do you offer a solid tint over polarized lenses?
What do you do when a patient complains about polarized lenses not being dark enough?
Do you offer a solid tint over polarized lenses?
If they're not already in a gray polarized lens, switch them to gray (as opposed to a brown). A mirror coating on the outside bounces more light off the lens which will give the effect of the lens being darker, although it changes the look of the sunglasses. If that's not dark enough, I usually present the option of staying with the polarized lens, or switching to a dark tinted lens. That said, I don't see why you couldn't tint on top of a polarized lens (assuming your lab has tintable pol. lenses- mine can't tint them because they don't come uncoated from the manufacturer).Quote:
Originally Posted by optician2601
I darken Younger Nupolar lenses with no problem.
Vision Ease Coppertone Grey
add mirror if needed
I've tinted polarized before. Just makes them a little darker, which I like. Once, when I was no longer working in the lab and requested this, the guys spray painted my lenses black and sent them out to me. Funny...real funny. :cool:
That's a great opportunity to educate your pt on why lenses that are too dark are not desirable. There's a very good reason the vast and overwhelming majority of sun lenses (Rx or plano) dispensed around the world tend to live in the 12-18% transmission range, and only very rarely darker than that. In addition, polarization will further block reflected horizontal glare, making the lens even more effective in all lighting conditions. You can of course remind your patients that a lens which is too dark will cause the pupil to dilate and may well increase the risk of incident UV exposure to the inner eye. A lens that's too dark also precludes wearing the glasses in changing or flat light scenarios, which again increases exposure of the eye to glare and UV.Quote:
Originally Posted by optician2601
On the other hand, a lens that is perfectly "dark enough" allows the glass to be worn in as many scenarios as possible, offering full protection in each. Helping your pts with a little knowledge in this regard can be very helpful both to them, and your bottom line. As to tinting polar lenses, it certainly can be done (with wildly varied results of course), but do so cautiously. I've seen more than one polar lens delaminate after a toasty dip in a tint bath.
I don't know why polar lenses look lighter, but they do. And patients can "see their eyes" in the mirror (horror!).
The plain solution is to front surface mirror coat (flash mirror) all polarized lenses. But it looks goofy on flat base curves and don't even think about it on segmented plastic lenses.
If there's no patho then no need for any darker than coated brown polarized. Check that there's a very good light seal around the eyes, fit close and sufficiently large for full coverage, especially in the superior gaze if they're outdoors in the direct sun frequently.Quote:
Originally Posted by optician2601
Hope this helps,
Robert Martellaro
Putting a polarized lens in the tint tank to make it darker won't cause delamination? I have always been afraid to push it with laminated lenses.
I've done it many times with Nupolar. Take an old polar and put it the dye tank and see what happens.Quote:
Originally Posted by KrystleClear