What lenses should I choose? Do the clear lenses block UV rays? Is the mirrored lens the darkest? Can I choose to get two mirrored lenses and no clear lens?
These are some of the most popular questions we get about our lenses. Here are a few paragraphs that should help you make an informed decision about which lenses will be most beneficial for you and your dog.
Rex Specs size large pass the ANSI Z78.1 2010 test for impact. Testing certified by Chesapeake Testing Inc.
We offer two lenses with our goggles – one clear lens and one lens of your choice. We do this for a few reasons, but mainly because the clear lens is great for training. We actually recommend starting to train your dog to wear Rex Specs with no lenses in the goggles. This allows your dog to get used to the frames first.
Then, we recommend moving onto the clear lens, and finally to the tinted lenses. The clear lens is great because it offers the same UV and impact protection as the other lenses without changing your dogs’ perspective on the world.
HOW TO CHANGE YOUR REX SPECS LENS>>
We’ve learned that introducing too much at one time (the goggle frames and tinted lenses) can be a lot of change all at once for your dog. Also, as your dog is becoming comfortable with Rex Specs, there is a good chance they will paw at, or scratch the lens – so using the clear lens during this learning process keeps your second lens in perfect condition.
Ultra violet light is known to cause various types of damage to the eye. Eye conditions in our personal dogs are why Rex Specs were born. One of our dogs had chronic sunburn to the eyelid and surrounding area due to lack of pigment, and one was diagnosed with Chronic Superficial Keratitis (pannus). This condition is a progressive change that occurs where blood vessels and scar tissue invade the cornea, and in severe cases can involve most or all of the corneal surface area resulting in blindness. Thus, having the lens be UV resistant is a must – and polycarbonate is the perfect material.
Polycarbonate has natural UV blocking properties – this allows our clear lenses to offer the same UV protection as the tinted lenses. Polycarbonate lenses are used for sunglasses, ski goggles, riot shields, and in many other applications. It’s a great material because it not only blocks 99.9% of UVA and UVB rays, but it’s also shatter resistant. Check out the video of our goggles passing the ANSI Z87.1–2010 impact resistance test (see above).
Another way to describe our lenses is by their Visible Light Transmission (VLT). This is a measurement of how much light the lens allows to pass through to the eye.
Rex Specs Lens VLT:
Clear - allows 92% of visual light to pass through
Smoke, and Red Mirror - allows 20% of light to pass through
Blue Mirror - allows 15% of visible light to pass through
Silver Mirror - allows 13% of light to pass through
So, our Silver Mirror lens is the darkest lens we offer.
Finally, dogs do not see the same way that humans do. They cannot focus very well on objects within 20” of their face. Also, their visual acuity is estimated to be around 20/60, whereas humans can see 20/20. Therefore, they may not notice the scratches in the lenses as easily as we do. This is why we tell our customers to use the lenses until they're totally beat up. Check out the photo below of our dog Tuckerman with his 'used' lenses.
If you have any other questions regarding our lenses, please send an email to info@rexspecs.com or give us a call 307.203.0308 and we’ll get your question answered ASAP!