RobertF,

They cost so damn much for the same reason a Sage rod costs so damn much: the market will bear it. Econ 101. I buy when I find them on sale somewhere.

I have shades by Maui Jim with rose colored lens(my favorite for lightness and comfort), but the non-glass lens have become dulled. I'm gonna' send them back for lens replacement. I also have some by Native, Smith, and Costa del Mar. Glass lens are a lot more durable, but I've become spoiled by the much lighter weight of good optic grade plastic lens, even though they are more susceptible to scratching.

Sg