What Type Of
Fishing And Boating Sunglasses Are Best?
The Importance of
Wearing a Good Pair of Sunglasses
by Michael P. Lange O.D.
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 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. A
more acute and painful problem related to the sun’s rays is a solar
keratitis or sunburn to the cornea. Boaters and fishermen 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. The huge benefits of
wearing the proper sunglasses while fishing or boating justifies
spending a little money on a good pair of sunglasses.
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 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.
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 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 ExpressSunglasses lab makes custom blue blocking polarized lenses that can be cut down into almost any frame with any prescription. They can be contacted through their website at ExpressSunglasses.com. Just send your prescription to ExpressSunglasses and their lab will custom-fabricate your prescription into the sunglass of choice. The ExpressSunglasses 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, ExpressSunglasses 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 ExpressSunglasses at 1 877 808-2020, or FAX 1 877 606-2020.
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 and Oakley sunglasses
at ExpressSunglasses.com.
ExpressSunglasses has been in the business of selling sunglasses with
superb customer service for over 10 years. 
ExpressSunglasses has their
own lab where they are constantly involved in research to try to
maximize visual performance and eye protection through eyewear and
sunglasses. Currently if you purchase a pair of sunglasses from ExpressSunglasses.com
you will get the best price possible, great customer service, free
shipping and a free pair of sunglasses you can pick from a specific
selection. I like recommending customers to ExpressSunglasses.com
because of the added value you get, and if you aren’t happy they will
take good care of you. I also like that they are actively involved in
patient care and 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 marketing in my opinion is the Costa Del Mar Wave 580 line. 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 are made of glass so they are great for the salt water fishermen and boaters because they are quite resistant to scratching. Remember to go to ExpressSunglassses.com when purchasing your sunglasses. Happy boating and great fishing.
Dr. Michael
P. Lange
Board Certified Optometric Physician
Lange Eye Care and Associates
The Lange Eye Institute
June 3, 2007
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
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of Costa Del Mar
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