Lens Technology

MOBILE VIEWERS: To view tables correctly, turn your phone to landscape.

At Optic Nerve, we build purposeful eyewear for the outdoor inspired. Born in the Rocky Mountains and independently operated since 1982, we know firsthand that confidence starts with exceptional optics. When you're navigating a high-alpine summit, searching for your next big river catch, or trekking through deep forest shade, our lenses are engineered to protect your vision and enhance every detail of your environment. Every pair meets ANSI Z80.3 standards for clarity and impact resistance, protects your eyes from 100% of UV rays, and is crafted to stand up to the elements – so you can stay focused on what lies ahead.

Lens Types

Our lens lineup is structured to offer distinct levels of performance, clarity, and specialized protection at various price points. From everyday casual use to highly technical water and mountain environments, we designed lens categories to match the specific demands of your outdoor pursuits.

	Everyday	HYDROGLARE™	Premium Polycarbonate	Photochromic
Price Range	$29-$49	$59	$79-$149	$59-$149
100% UV Protection	✅	✅	✅	✅
ANSI Z80.3 Impact Protection	✅	✅	✅	✅
Polarization	Polarized	Polarized	Polarized and Non-Polarized	Non-Polarized
Tint	Standard	Select	Special Purpose	Transition
Venting	-	-	Select Styles	Select Styles
Interchangeable Lenses	-	-	Select Styles	-
Lens Material	TAC Nylon	TAC Nylon	Polcarbonate	Polycarbonate
Unique Features	Our base lens: premium quality, everyday price	Designed for life on the water with a Saltwater resistant coating.	HD Color Tuning Special Purpose Color Tuning	Photochromic Lenses

Lens Attributes

Every lens we produce is engineered with specific visual performance capabilities designed to solve real-world lighting challenges. From blocking UV rays to dynamically adjusting to changing light on the trail, these core attributes define how our lenses protect your eyes and optimize your view.

UV Protection

Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is divided into UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C rays. While the atmosphere blocks most UV-C rays, prolonged exposure to UV-A and UV-B radiation can cause serious long-term eye damage, including discomfort and conditions like cataracts. Because up to 80% of harmful UV radiation penetrates cloud cover, UV protection is essential every time you step outside.

Every single pair of Optic Nerve sunglasses provides 100% UVA/UVB protection, including clear and lightly tinted options.

Impact Resistance

All Optic Nerve lenses meet or exceed rigorous U.S. Government and FDA ANSI Z80.3 standards for impact resistance, ensuring your eyes remain safe behind tough, shatter-resistant optics.

Polarization

When direct sunlight strikes flat surfaces like water, snow, or asphalt, it reflects back as intense, concentrated glare. Our polarized sunglasses feature an invisible horizontal filter integrated directly into the lens that blocks 99.9% of this blinding light. By eliminating reflective glare, polarization reduces eye strain and sharpens contrast in bright and variable light conditions, delivering maximum visual relief around water.

Anglers, drivers, paddlers, and anyone who spends long hours in harsh sun can benefit from this technology. Runners, cyclists, and any athletes needing an uninterrupted filter to the outside world - to see standing water on trails or read a GPS computer - tend to prefer non-polarized lenses.

Tint

Our lenses deliver a combination of aesthetic, function, and protection at an unmatched price. Curating different lens combinations for different environments offers a dynamic range of colors and options to accommodate different eye colors, style preferences, and light conditions to ensure it feels good to look through our lenses.

Our lenses are optimized for the different lighting conditions you can find yourself in throughout the day: bright light, variable light, and low light.

• Bright Light: Perfect for those bluebird days, with bright sunshine and the harsh glare from the high alpine environment - these lenses help protect from the elements and give you contrast.

• Variable Light: Suited for a wide range of conditions on the mountain, these lenses enhance fine details on the water, trail, or snow while maintaining a sharp mirror finish to provide a more balanced field of view.

• Low Light: Special tuned to help enhance the darkest conditions when the elements roll through. Exceptional contrast so you can stay out, even on the worst days.

• What is Eyewear Category? Eyewear categories define how much light passes through the lens. Our eyewear ranges from Category 1 to Category 3. Most of our lenses are Category 3, the most versatile category for bright sunny days and outdoor activities. Our low light lenses are Category 2. The clear interchangeable lenses on our premium performance styles are Category 1, along with some of the detransitioned photochromic lenses.

Lens Tint	Eyewear Category	Bright Light	Variable Light	Low Light
Smoke	Cat 3	✅	-	-
Brown	Cat 3	-	✅	-
G15	Cat 3	✅	-	-
Photochromic	Variable Cat 3-1	✅	✅	✅
Rose	Cat 2	-	-	✅
Copper	Cat 2	-	✅	-
Amber	Cat 3	✅	✅	-
Yellow	Cat 2	-	-	✅
Clear	Cat 1	-	-	✅

Each lens type has specific tints available with multiple mirror options. The HD Color Tuned lenses in the Special Purpose - Premium Polycarbonate collection enhance specific color contrast in specific aquatic environments. Mirror colors on all lenses are optimized for a combination of aesthetic and lighting conditions.

Lens Tint	Standard	Select - HYDROGLARE™	Transitions - Photochromic	Special Purpose - Premium Polycarbonate
Smoke	✅	✅	-	✅
Brown	✅	✅	-	✅
G15	✅	-	-	-
Photochromic	-	-	✅	-
Rose	-	-	-	✅
Copper	-	-	-	✅
Amber	-	-	-	✅
Yellow	-	-	-	✅
Clear	-	-	-	✅

Venting

Our lens venting systems on select premium performance styles allow airflow directly into the area behind the lens. This allows the air to circulate between the eye and the back of the lens to reduce fogging.

Interchangeable Lenses

When light conditions are unpredictable, sunglasses with interchangeable lenses offer a proven, versatile solution. Instead of settling for a single tint, an interchangeable system allows you to adapt your eyewear on the fly. Swap between full-sun tint and low-light clear lenses to match whatever the sky delivers.

For lens changing instructions on a particular style, please refer to the style you purchased or see our YouTube Channel for discontinued styles.

HYDROGLARE™

Inspired by saltwater corrosion resistance and rooted in our mountain heritage, HYDROGLARE™ lens technology is engineered to protect optical clarity and extend the life of your eyewear. Built with a specialized multi-layer protective system, HYDROGLARE™ polarized lenses resist harsh saltwater without compromising visual crispness. It is an advanced lens solution built to thrive on the water, on the trail, and through daily outdoor use.

HD Color Tuning

Special purpose sunglasses are designed to excel in a specific environment by using carefully selected lens and mirror combinations. This combination enhances certain colors and performs better in specific lighting conditions, giving you a distinct visual advantage. We designed each special-purpose lens in partnership with Professional Angler Chris Zaldain. Special Purpose Color Tuning is only available in the Premium Polarized line in three lens and mirror combinations: