Costa Del Mar® sunglasses feature their cutting-edge, 580® lens technology. But what makes the Costa 580 lens so special, and what do the "580P" and "580G" mean? Keep reading our Costa 580 lens guide to learn more about this next-level lens tech, and choose the right lenses for you.


Costa 580® Lens Guide

1. What does 580 mean on Costa sunglasses?
2. Why choose Costa 580® lenses?
3. Who would benefit from Costa 580® lenses?
4. 580G vs 580P
5. How to tell if Costa lenses are glass
6. Costa 580® sunglasses with prescription



What does 580 mean on Costa sunglasses?

580® is Costa's proprietary lens technology. It's a large part of what makes Costa one of the top sunglass brands on the market. These lenses filter 100% of harmful UV light and reduce glare. What does the "580" stand for? This lens technology filters out unwanted light wavelengths at 580 nanometers. By filtering out that unwanted light, other colors like reds, greens, and blues, naturally pop, providing optimal clarity and contrast. Costa 580 sunglass lenses also protect against blue light, or HEV (high-energy visible) light, that can cause eye strain and fatigue, and affect long-term eye health.


Blue Light Filter Sunglasses


Why choose Costa 580® lenses?

Color, clarity, quality. Costa was the first to feature light-enhancing technology for their polarized lenses. Their 580 lens tech is elite in color enhancement and they offer 7 different lens tints. This tech has a 99.9% polarization efficiency for the best glare reduction on the market. It blocks all UVA/UVB/UVC light and filters out harmful blue light.

Costa 580 Lens Color Guide


Who would benefit from Costa 580® lenses?

Costa is well-known in the fishing community by professionals and amateurs alike. Anglers love the 580 lenses because the filters increase their ability to spot their prize in the water. But Costa 580® lenses are great for more than just water activities. They completely change your visual experience, especially in environments with heavy glare. If polarized lenses are a must-have for you, then you will love Costa 580®.

Costa Rincon sunglasses in Matte Black with 580G Blue Mirror Lenses

Costa Rincon sunglasses in Matte Black with 580G Blue Mirror lenses

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580G vs 580P

The "G" and "P" correspond to the material of the lens. Costa 580G lenses are glass and 580P lenses are polycarbonate. Most Costa frames are offered with either lens material so you can get your desired lens type in your frame style of choice. But how do you know which lens material is right for you? Take a look at the benefits of each below:

Costa 580 Glass Lens Benefits

  • Glass lenses provide the best optical clarity. Glass allows more light to pass through than polycarbonate, without scattering or absorbing it.
  • 580G glass lenses are scratch-proof thanks to encapsulated mirrors between the layers of glass.
  • Glass lenses are heavier than polycarbonate lenses. However, Costa 580G glass lenses are 20% thinner and 22% lighter than other polarized glass lenses.

Costa 580 G Benefits

Costa 580 Polycarbonate/Trivex Lens Benefits

  • Costa 580P polycarbonate and trivex lenses are more lightweight than the 580 glass lenses.
  • 580P polycarbonate and trivex lenses are the most durable lenses Costa offers.
  • Polycarbonate lenses are impact-resistant. You'll want to choose these lenses if you're wearing them for sports and activities.
  • Polycarbonate lenses are not as scratch-resistant as glass lenses. However, 580P lenses have a C-Wall Molecular Bond, which makes the lenses more scratch-resistant than other polycarbonate lenses.

Costa 580 P Benefits

This does not mean either of these materials are of poorer quality. These are simply the advantages each material has when compared to the other. If you have any issues with your Costa sunglasses, at SportRx we are more than happy to help you with our See Better Guarantee.

Costa Aleta Sunglasses in black with green mirror 580p lenses

Costa Aleta Sunglasses in Black with Green Mirror 580P lenses

Shop Costa Aleta Polarized Sunglasses


How to tell if Costa lenses are glass

Costa glass lenses have a "580" etching on the top left of the lens. Costa polycarbonate lenses have a "580P" etching on the top left of the lens. So if there isn't a "P" on the lens, the lenses are made of glass. All of Costa's sunglasses are polarized, so unlike other brands, the "P" on the lens does not refer to "polarized," but rather "polycarbonate."


Authentic Costa 580 sunglasses with prescription

Costa offers sunglasses for all lifestyles, whether you're hardcore angling on open water or lounging in a hammock by the beach. If you require vision correction, you can get authentic Costa prescription sunglasses with 580 lenses at SportRx. We are a team of sport enthusiasts and expert opticians that share the same passions as you. We can't wait to elevate your visual experience with some stellar prescription shades. Our certified Sports Opticians are available 6 days a week, so contact us with any questions. There's no better place to shop for Costa. Find the styles you want in the fit you need at SportRx.

Shop All Costa Polarized Sunglasses