Fixed tint glass lenses have been around for a long time. They are used primarily as sunglasses or to improve comfort in high glare environments. They have also been used for cosmetic or fashion reasons and are frequently used as substrate (base) lenses for various premium sunglasses which are treated with colored vacuum applied coatings.
These lenses are called fixed tint lenses because the color tint is locked within the glass lens material. The color is not applied through dying or surface coating. Consequently, fixed tint lens materials maintain their original color and light absorbing properties for the life of the lens. In addition the exact absorption characteristics of the lens materials are precision controlled at the factory, not by a dip-dying process, and do not change with time. Because the lenses are glass, they are frequently used for sunglasses, which commonly see harsh use and are consequently subject to scratching.
Certain "special purpose" lenses may be included in the category of fixed tints because the light filtering properties are locked in the glass.
ACE (Amethyst Contrast Enhancing) glass is a fixed tint glass lens that is used for commercial and artistic glass blowers where filtering yellow light (sodium flare) is desirable, these lenses must be at least 3.0 mm thick for effective filtration.
The fixed tint lens colors listed below are available from X-CEL Optical and always on hand in a variety of styles including finished planos.
| Material | Index | ABBE Value | UVA Blocking | UVB Blocking | Total UV Blocking | Visible Light Transmittance |
| Gray 1 | 1.523 | 53.2 | 86% | 100% | 89% | 40% |
| Gray 2 | 1.523 | 54.5 | 90% | 100% | 93% | 30% |
| Gray 3 | 1.523 | 54.0 | 93% | 100% | 95% | 20% |
| Green 1 | 1.523 | 54.7 | 94% | 100% | 95% | 67% |
| Green 2 | 1.523 | 52.9 | 98% | 100% | 98% | 51% |
| Green 3 | 1.523 | 52.3 | 99% | 100% | 99% | 36% |
| Rose 1 | 1.523 | 58.2 | 90% | 100% | 90% | 88% |
| Rose 2 | 1.523 | 56.8 | 94% | 100% | 92% | 82% |
| Tan 3 | 1.523 | 57.0 | 99% | 100% | 99% | 21% |
| G-15 | 1.523 | 59.3 | 90% | 100% | 90% | 19% |
| UVSG (UV Sun Green) Also called Chromax |
1.597 | 43.3 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 15% |
- Canary Yellow, also called Shooter Yellow, Kalichrome, Haze Master, Helios or Striking Yellow. 1.523 59.3 100% 100% 100% 82%
- Rose Didymium - Glass blowers filter for sodium flare @ 578nm
At 2.0mm CT. 1.523 57.6 86% 100% 89% 64%
- ACE (Amethyst Contrast Enhancement) Also used by glass blowers for sodium flare At 2.0mm CT. 1.566 49.2 85% 100% 89% 38%
- Total UV band 290-380nm, UVA band 315-380nm, UVB band 290-315nm.
All data for all lens materials was taken at 2.0mm center thickness.
Please refer to the product availability pages for a detailed listing of styles and add ranges.