UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

hey,

Now i've been having a wee read through the threads and spotted someone recommending polarized sunglasses...i've just been on specsavers website to find out what the deal is with them and basically spotted that i can get a set of normal spec with these polarized lenses. Now apparently they eliminate 99% of glare, which certain would be handy for driving at night. Does anyone actually have specs with these lenses? Are they any good?

Cheers
- Adam

Adam

I am not sure that it is a good idea to wear sunglasses, polarized or not, at night. I do have clear glass specs with an anti-glare coating, which I find a great boon for driving.

If you are driving in strong sun conditions, then polarized sunglasses are a good idea; the dispensing optician would be able to advise on the level of light exclusion that would be legal and or advisable.

All the best.

Andrew

I agree with Andrew. If they exclude 99% of the light, they are probably Cat 4 lenses which are illegal for driving at any time. Your optician should have told you this. I don't think you will get pulled over and have your sunglasses inspected but if you are driving at night, do you switch your headlights off?
I think a clear pair of anti-glare specs might be better at night.

cool, wasnt really meaning i was gona wear polarised sunglasses at night - was meaning like normal specs with polarised lenses...

this was what i was talking about...

http://www.specsavers.co.uk/cgi-bin/strudwick.sh/s?langid=1&pfmt=1&siteid=39&pname=options/polarising.html

cheers
- adam

Doh! Sorry, I misread you. They look like good value, let us know how you get on with them, if you get them.

Yup, I misread you too. These lenses look like the ones I wear: anti-glare. I like them.

Andrew

OKay...

Having had a look at Specsavers website myself - what they mean IS a sunglass tint with polarising lenses. In other words, instead of getting "normal" sunglass lenses you can get them made to prescription. They don't mean clear polarizing lenses. You can't get clear polarizing lenses-tThe Iodine crystals in the polarized film are aligned in parallel rows like a venetian blind to block light one direction. If the crystals were clear, they could not do their job blocking light in a specific direction.

What the others here mean by anti glare are anti reflection lenses which mean they have a very thin layer on the surface of the lens which cuts out reflected glare.

In actual fact, for KC, polarizing filters are very good at reducing scattering glare but obviously NOT for driving at night!

Hope this clarifies

Lynn

I am having probs driving at night, how much are anti reflection lenses ? I dont need glasses with any power in them, these would be worn aswell as my contacts

Hi donna

I think it depens on who makes them! Mine are Zeiss and very expensive; but if you were having anti-glare specs made up with no optical value, I am sure that you would be able to find a less costly option.

It does occur to me that I have read here something about anti-glare windscreens. Have you thought about this as an option?

Andrew