# Yellow Sunglass Lenses-Do They Increase Visual Acuity? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 31, 2012, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-sunglass-lenses-do-they-increase-visual-acuity/623649 "2012-05-31T14:01:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-sunglass-lenses-do-they-increase-visual-acuity/623649/1 "2012-05-31T14:01:56Z")
Yellow sunglasses seem to come out every few years. They are sold on the basis of increasing: -visual acuity (daylight) -better night vision (low light conditions) Are these claims true? And what about red-tinted lenses-do they have any benefits? ---
**Author:** ![andyleonard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e19b73/32.png) [@andyleonard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andyleonard)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-sunglass-lenses-do-they-increase-visual-acuity/623649/2 "2012-05-31T14:39:25Z")
The yellow ones are supposed to increase contrast in low-light situations. If the drivers are wearing them at 24 Hours of Le Mans during the night shift, there must be something to it. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-sunglass-lenses-do-they-increase-visual-acuity/623649/3 "2012-05-31T14:39:42Z")
These claims go _'way_ back. Jearl D. Walker included an entry on these in his original edition of _The Flying Circus of Physics_, back in 1976. It was one of the few entries with no references attached – no one had any scientific evidence bearing on the issue. When he issued the edition “with answers” a few years later, there still weren’t any references, and Walker admitted that he didn’t know of any scientific work on the topic. I haven’t looked into it since then, or at recent editions of the book, but I suspect the situation may not have changed. I’ll check when I have more time Here’s his current webpage, with the item **6.56 – Yellow Ski Glasses**. [http://www.flyingcircusofphysics.com/Topics/ChapterDetail.aspx?ChapterID=12](http://www.flyingcircusofphysics.com/Topics/ChapterDetail.aspx?ChapterID=12) If you go to this page and scroll down to entries for 6.56 you’ll find references on the topic: [http://www.flyingcircusofphysics.com/pdf/Chapter6\_Ref\_Com.pdf](http://www.flyingcircusofphysics.com/pdf/Chapter6_Ref_Com.pdf) ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-sunglass-lenses-do-they-increase-visual-acuity/623649/4 "2012-05-31T14:51:51Z")
I had amber ski goggles in the early '80s for night skiing. Seemed to help visibility in low light. ---
**Author:** ![Kevbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-sunglass-lenses-do-they-increase-visual-acuity/623649/5 "2012-05-31T14:55:40Z")
I use them when flying my sailplane. They seem to darken the blue sky and make air traffic stand out better. I also see more detail in clouds. I have also noticed that they make different kinds of foliage stand out more. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-sunglass-lenses-do-they-increase-visual-acuity/623649/6 "2012-06-01T02:16:57Z")
I still wear my Ray Ban Ambermatics all the time. I have the Outdoorsman and Shooter versions. The amber lens does brighten and enhance color contrast. Perfect for shooting, flying, skiing and sailing. Sadly, after 20+ years of wear, they’re getting some scratches. You can’t find replacement lenses anymore, and vintage pairs are over $300 each. I found some a while back that were new in box for $600! There’s nothing better than Ambermatics on an overcast day while driving or being out & about. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-sunglass-lenses-do-they-increase-visual-acuity/623649/7 "2012-06-01T09:00:48Z")
Yes, for the same reason automotive fog lights used to be yellow: [http://danielsternlighting.com/tech/lights/light\_color/light\_color.html](http://danielsternlighting.com/tech/lights/light_color/light_color.html) Selective yellow tint filters out blue light which increases glare and is harder for us to focus on.