birding-aus

birding and glasses (and contact lenses now)

To: Robert Inglis <>
Subject: birding and glasses (and contact lenses now)
From: Carl Clifford <>
Date: Sun, 22 Jul 2012 14:29:00 +1000
Bob,

In my hoon days, I had a pair of yellow driving glasses. They did seem to 
improve contrast and bring out detail in shadow.

They also looked pretty cool.

Carl Clifford

Sent from my iPad

On 22/07/2012, at 10:37, "Robert Inglis" <> wrote:

> Arwen, photochromic lenses (“Transitions” is a technology version registered 
> by Transitions Optical) glasses are a good idea. They help to cut the glare 
> while out in bright sunlight and adjust fairly quickly to moving into shade. 
> The only real problem can be that they are not fully effective for driving as 
> they don’t achieve their full darkness in the vehicle, however, it is 
> possible to get ‘driving’ glasses with a basic tint and which are also 
> photochromic in full sun. Transitions Optical claim their Transitions lenses 
> also block 100% of UV rays but UV filter coatings can be added to any lens 
> for a reasonable price. Glasses used in full sun should have the UV filter 
> treatment as a matter of course. 
> And birdwatchers who spend a lot of time in the sun should consider wearing 
> UV filter treated sunglasses to protect their eyes. Extended exposure to UV 
> light is a major cause of cataracts.
> There should be no real problem with reduced light through photochromic 
> lenses while using binoculars as the area covered by the binos will revert to 
> clear fairly quickly. It is quite fascinating to stand in full sun and hold 
> your binoculars to your photochromic lenses for a short while and then check 
> the circle of almost clear lens where the binos had been. Of course, there is 
> a short ‘transition’ time so any one in the habit of only taking glances 
> through their binoculars may be affected more by the momentary drop in light 
> transmission through the binos. However, the pupil of the eye adjusts fairly 
> quickly to variations in light levels.
> 
> One thing I have wondered about is using yellow-tinted glasses such as some 
> cricketers use. Apparently the yellow tint enhances ‘contrast” thus making 
> some objects easier to see.
> Has any one had experience with yellow-tinted glasses?
> 
> Bob Inglis
> Sandstone Point
> Qld
> 
> 
> From: Arwen B. Ximenes 
> Sent: Sunday, July 22, 2012 7:40 AM
> To:  ;  ; 
>  ;  ;  ; 
>  ;  ;  ; 
>  ;  
> Subject: RE: [Birding-Aus] birding and glasses (and contact lenses now)
> 
> Hi again,
> 
> sorry I haven't had a chance to reply since my last email, thanks for all the 
> additional responses!!!
> 
> well, I've been doing some research and I'm leaning towards trialling 
> contacts (I also found the contact lenses thread) - mostly because of all the 
> issues with glasses - I don't want to have to switch between normal glasses 
> and sunnies, and I don't like the idea of having to look through the frames 
> all the time, then there's the problem with rain/steam/spray, getting used to 
> glasses+bins, etc. 
> 
> My research so far indicates the glasses lenses that would be most suitable 
> for birding are the new (expensive) Japanese freeform lenses - these are 
> multifocal but with a wider distance field as I understand it - perfect for 
> birdwatching and also easier to get used to apparently. I thought it worth 
> mentioning for those out there who said they wanted a wider field of view. I 
> might need to wait for these, another reason to try contacts.
> 
> I am interested in Judith's suggestion of putting one contact lense in the 
> dominant eye - I didn't discuss this with the optometrist though as I was 
> really thinking glasses at that stage, but will do so. Apparently you can 
> also get multifocal contacts now - I'm not sure about those, or how they 
> work. 
> 
> I do have a question - I thought it odd that the optometrist didn't think 
> there was a problem using bins with sunglasses (i.e. prescription sunnies) - 
> surely you need light to see through the bins? Both people I talked to in the 
> shop, one being the optometrist, were convinced sunnies would hardly make any 
> difference.  
> 
> My heartfelt thanks again to everyone who shared their experiences and ideas, 
> there were many points I would not have thought of. 
> 
> I'll keep you posted.
> 
> Arwen
> 
> 
> 
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