Dr. Michael
P. Lange discusses - "What Type Of Fishing And Boating Sunglasses
Are Best?"
The Importance of
Wearing a Good Pair of Sunglasses
by Michael P. Lange O.D.,
C.N.S. December 27, 2008
As a Child I grew up outside of New Orleans, Louisiana, "The Sportsman's Paradise". My father introduced me to fishing at the early age of five. I would frequently fish the brackish bayous near the mouth of the Mississippi River where it meets the Gulf of Mexico and also fish the great fresh water lakes of Mississippi.
I am quite familiar with what it takes to land a large mouth bass in the dense cypress studded swamps or fight with a large sailfish in the open seas. I learned very early in my fishing career how important a good pair of sunglasses are in protecting the eye and increasing the ability to spot fish lurking in the shallows.
Whether you are a
pro fisherman or a weekend angler one of the most important things you
can do is wear a good pair of sunglasses. If you are out in the
Gulf fishing for marlin or in a fresh water lake fishing for large
mouth bass, picking the correct pair of sunglasses is crucial.
Exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun 
can and will damage the eyes. The ultraviolet light is intensified and
potentially more damaging to the eyes and visual system when it is
reflected off the surface of the water. Studies show that over time,
exposure to these harmful rays of the sun and wind can damage the
eyes. Many eye diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration may be
linked to sun exposure. Many people will develop dry eyes and small
growths on to their corneas called pterygiums as a result of exposure
to the ultraviolet radiation from the sun and the wind.
A more acute and painful problem related to the sun’s rays is a solar keratitis or sunburn to the cornea. Fishermen and boaters that aren’t wearing the proper sun protection are also more prone to develop skin cancers in and around the eye. The easiest and simplest solution is to make sure the avid boaters and fishermen are educated on the consequences of not wearing the proper sunglasses. Once the boater / fishermen are educated they can become proactive in the choices they make regarding sunwear.
The huge benefits of wearing the proper sunglasses while fishing or boating justifies spending a little money on a good pair of sunglasses. I highly recommend going to a reputable eyecare center that is experienced in dealing with boaters and fishermen to get the best advice and ultimately the best pair of sunglasses. Often times customers will show up at the local deep discount chain or warehouse optical and see and optical sales person that has no experience at all in these areas to try to save a little money. Remember what our momma said , " you pay for what you get" ..
The doctors and staff at Lange Eye Care and Associates are all very familiar with just about every aspect of water sports and what the best pair of sunglasses will be based on the type of outdoor boating activity you are involved in. Sunglasses have become very specific based on your visual needs. If you are fishing in the shallows in early morning your sunglass would be different than if you were on the deep sea fishing for Marlins. Competitive bass fishermen will want a different sunglass than the recreational fishermen. Come into any of the eight Lange Eye Care locations and speak with one of our optical experts regarding your visual needs.
How do I choose the best pair of sunglasses for boating and fishing?
Invest in your
vision and purchase a good name brand polarized sunglass if you are
fishing or boating. A good name brand like Costa Del Mar, Ocean
Waves, Nike or Oakley will have 100% UV protection and also block the
glare coming off the surface of the water. In my eye care centers
throughout Florida we deal with these patients on a daily basis.
I
have found that the two most popular sunglasses we fit on our patients
that need a prescription are the Costa Del Mar Pescador and the Costa
Del Mar
Eliminator. These frames work great because they have a relatively
flat front surface that is ideal for prescription lenses. They have
total protection from the sides, top and bottom. These frames fit most
faces well and are very adjustable by a competent optometrist or
optician. These frames are also great at high speeds on the water
since the wind does not get under the frame and fly them off. The
Pescador and Eliminator have side shields that increase your
peripheral vision which is important in a high speed boat or off
shore. However the entire line of Costa Del Mar is really quite good
and it really boils down to personal preference. I also like the
Oakley M Frame Sweep in amber polarized for shallow and early AM
fishing, and the Oakley M Frame Sweep grey polarized for deep sea
fishing. The entire line of Ocean Waves has been proven by world class
fishermen. Ocean Waves has different colors for the specific type
of fishing. Ocean waves sunglasses were developed with
hands on trials on the water utilizing different lens colors
and saturations to develop the ultimate fishing sunglass.
Polarized lenses are crucial while on the water to block the surface reflection so the glare does not interfere with your vision. Polarized lenses not only enable you to see the fish in the water better but also enable you to see any object that may be just under the surface of the water prior to hitting it. The ultimate fish and boating sunglass should fit well, have good side, top and bottom protection, a full field of vision, and should be polarized with UV filter in the monomer or UV coating. A back surface anti-reflective coating will even further enhance ones vision while wearing sunglasses by decreasing the amount of light reflected away from the lens.
Fishing sunglasses come in a lot of different colored lenses. I recommend a copper or brown or yellow lens for the majority of early morning, late evening and shallows fishing. Grey lens is best for deep sea fishing or fishing in the middle of the afternoon. If it is very overcast, cloudy or foggy fishing sunglasses should have an amber, yellow or orange tint.
Fishermen who have
had cataract surgery and have implants in their eyes would
benefit from the amber, yellow or orange colored lenses because of the
blue blocking attributes. The high intensity visible spectrum of the
sun (blue light), may be very damaging to the retina after the human
crystalen lens has been removed in cataract surgery.
The Lange Eye Care lab makes custom blue blocking polarized lenses that can be cut down into almost any frame with any prescription. Just bring your prescription to Lange Eye Care and the lab will custom-fabricate your prescription into the sunglass of choice. The Lange Eye Care lab can put almost any prescription into the majority of sunglass frames available. So whether you are interested in a super high contrast blue blocking polarized lens, or copper, brown, yellow or grey lenses, Lange Eye Care can fabricate those in house. They have made thousands of these custom blue blocking polarized lenses for customers and patients over the last few years. Contact Lange Eye Care at 1 - 888 - 781 - 2020.
If you are looking
for some of the best non prescription sunglasses for fishing and
boating then check out the entire lines of Costa Del Mar,
Oakley, Ocean Waves, Maui Jim and Nike sunglasses at your
nearest Lange Eye Care location. We have been in the business of
selling sunglasses with superb customer service to boaters and
fishermen form all over the world for the last 18 years!. 
Lange Eye Care has their own lab where they are constantly involved in
research to try to maximize visual performance and eye protection
through eyewear and sunglasses. The Lange Eye Care team is
actively involved in patient care, research and product
development. Spend a little bit extra on a good name brand pair of
sunglasses so you know you are getting the proper protection and added
improvement in visual performance you are looking for.
The best non
prescription sunglass currently on the market for water sports
are the entire line of Ocean Waves , Costa Del Mar and
Mai Jim. These lenses help to block the yellow light
that improves overall contrast and minimizes glare thus improving
visual performance and protecting the eyes at the same time. The
lenses that are made of glass are great for the salt
water fishermen and boaters because they are quite resistant to
scratching. Remember to go to one of the local Lange
Eye Care Centers in Florida when purchasing your
sunglasses. Currently centers are located in Gainesville
Dr.
Michael P. Lange
Board Certified Optometric Physician
Lange Eye Care and Associates
The Lange Eye Institute
June 3, 2007
revised on December 27. 2008
Dr. Lange was raised in the bayous of Louisiana and has been an avid salt water and fresh water fisherman since he was five years old.
To purchase Costa Del Mar™ and Oakley™ sunglasses, visit www.ExpressSunglasses.com
Costa Del Mar
Registered Trademark
of Costa Del Mar
Oakley Registered Trademarks
of Oakley
Ocean Waves Registered Trademark of Ocean Waves
Maui Jim Registered Trademark of Maui Jim
Nike Registered Trademark of Nike
