Types of Filters: The hidden truth that (almost) no one tells you
When you go to buy glasses, whether prescription or sunglasses, you are suddenly bombarded with technical terms: polarized, blue light, anti-reflective, photochromic... They sell it to you as pure magic, the definitive solution to all your visual problems.
But at BOHOOPTICS, we've come to play fair. Today we're going to remove the filter from the optical industry and tell you exactly what these treatments do and, most importantly, what they keep quiet about.
1. The famous "Blue Light Filter".
What they sell you: "Wear these glasses and your eyes will never hurt again after 8 hours of staring at the computer."
In the image, we see a person trapped in an office environment where the only light is blue and aggressive. It illustrates eye strain, but also the problem we will debunk.
What they DON'T tell you: The blue light filter is not a miracle cure for eye strain. The reason your eyes hurt in front of the screen is not just the light, it's that you forget to blink and take breaks. Your blinking frequency drops by half when you look at a screen, which dries out your eyes.
- What is it really for? Its real superpower is to protect your sleep cycle (circadian rhythm). The blue light from screens tricks your brain into thinking it's daytime, blocking melatonin. Using this filter in the afternoon/evening will help you sleep infinitely better, but if you don't blink and take breaks, your eyes will still get tired.
2. Polarized Lenses.
What they sell you: "The best possible vision in the sun, without glare or reflections."
This image shows the "before and after" of polarization. On the coastal road, the sun's reflection magically disappears, offering clear vision. But notice the car's digital dashboard and the GPS screen: they appear distorted or dark. That's the price.
What they DON'T tell you: Polarized glasses are incredible for driving, going to the snow or the sea because they block horizontal light (the dreaded reflection from asphalt or water). But they have a dark side: they can make you "blind" to certain screens.
- The uncomfortable truth: Many mobile phone screens, ATMs, or your car's digital dashboard also use polarized filters. If the angles cross, when you look at your phone screen with your brand new polarized glasses, you will see it completely black. Are they good? Yes, the best for outdoors. Are they for all times? Absolutely not.
3. Very dark glasses = Greater protection.
What they sell you: "The darker the sunglass lens, the more protected your eye will be."
This illustration is the most graphic. We compare flea market glasses (very dark) with BOHOOPTICS glasses (with a real filter). You see how the dark glasses without a filter cause the pupil to dilate, allowing massive UV radiation to enter, while the glasses with a real filter block it. It's not about darkness, it's about technology.
What they DON'T tell you: The color and darkness of the lens have absolutely nothing to do with UV protection. In fact, dark glasses without a good UV filter are worse than wearing nothing at all.
- The danger: When you put on a dark lens, your pupil dilates (opens wider to let in light). If that flea market lens doesn't have a real UV filter, you are letting a huge amount of ultraviolet radiation directly into the back of your eye. At BOHOOPTICS, we prefer to give you a clear lens with 100% UV protection than black plastic that damages your retina.
4. Photochromic Lenses.
What they sell you: "They darken in the sun and lighten indoors. Two glasses in one."
Here we see the driver in two panels. Panel 1: "Outside the car", the glasses are dark and perfect in the sun. Panel 2: "Inside the car", the windshield blocks UV and the glasses remain transparent, leaving the driver dazzled. The car problem in a single image.
What they DON'T tell you: Historically, these lenses need direct ultraviolet (UV) light to activate and darken. Do you know what blocks UV light? Your car's windshield.
- The reality: If you buy standard photochromic lenses thinking they will serve as sunglasses for driving, you will be disappointed to see that they remain almost transparent inside the vehicle. (Xpert Note: Today there are advanced technologies that do react to visible light inside the car, but be sure to ask specifically for them, do not assume that all of them do.)
5. Trending Lenses: Yellow, Orange, and Red.
What they sell you: "They are the latest in fashion, they give you an incredible look and, in addition, yellow is ideal for night driving."
This image combines the aesthetics of these filters with the danger
What they DON'T tell you: These colors are everywhere right now, but altering the color of the light entering your eye has drastic consequences for how you perceive the world.
- The myth of the Yellow lens: They sell it to you as "night driving glasses" because they increase contrast. The harsh reality is that any colored lens reduces the total amount of light reaching your eye. At night, you need all the light possible. Wearing yellow glasses at night can give you a false sense of security, but you are actually seeing less. They are fantastic for cloudy or foggy days, but not for night.
- The Orange trap: They are excellent at blocking blue light and improving contrast, yes. But what they don't tell you is that they destroy your color perception. If you work in design, editing, or simply need to see colors as they are, orange glasses will drive you crazy.
- The danger of Red: They look incredible and are sometimes used (in very specific shades) to relieve photophobia or migraines. The dark secret? Red lenses absorb light from other spectra and can make red traffic lights disappear or become almost invisible in certain light conditions. You should never use them for driving without first checking their light transmission level.
Optical filters are wonders of technology and design that drastically improve your quality of life (and your style), but they are not magic spells. Knowing their limits is the only way to choose the right one for you.
At BOHOOPTICS, we don't want to sell you smoke, dangerous trends, or filters you don't need. We want you to see well, look great, and most importantly, know exactly what you're wearing.
You can visit any of our 2 centers and we will help you!