What to Look for When Choosing Sunglasses

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Guest post by Maine Mine

 

While sunglasses definitely speak to your style personality, they also serve the all-important function of protecting your peepers against harmful UV rays. This is why it’s so important to select the right shades to shield your eyes. Below are some tips on what to look for when choosing sunglasses

 

 

Light Blockers, Health Boosters

 

As mentioned, the primary purpose of wearing shades is to protect the delicate, transparent tissue of the outer retina. Failure to properly protect your eyes can expedite the aging process of your eyes, which will lead to reduced vision, and can also result in cataracts.

Not all sunglasses are created equal, however, and while they will all provide some degree of light shield, the degree and the way in which they provide this protection varies.

That’s why you have to consider the extended purpose of your sunglasses before choosing sunglasses. Read on to select the best shades for your eyes.

 

 

Choosing Sunglasses for Travel

 

If you’re looking for a pair of sunglasses to take on holiday, you will want shades that offer both strength and clarity. Chances are, your sunglasses can take a bit of a beating on the road, so opt for break-resistant plastic lenses. Also, steer clear of coloured lenses, which can alter colours. You want to see the sights in their natural hues after all. A final word of advice: go for as much UV protection as possible. 80% is a good number.

 

Sunglasses for Sports

 

When buying sunglasses for sports, go for options that offer break-resistance lenses, solid polycarbonate frames that won’t shatter as easily and won’t hurt as much as metal if they do, and a lightweight design. Wrap-around styles are also best, because they limit glare from the periphery. Another tip? Polarised lenses, which reduce glare. This is especially helpful if you are active around (or on) the water.  

 

 

Sunglasses for Driving

 

Driving shades should work to reduce glare and regulate varying light conditions which can cause confusion and even make you tired. Opt for high-contrast lenses. This ingenious option will facilitate natural responses to light within the eye. We also recommend selecting polarised lenses to reduce road glare, which can stress your peepers and result in accidents.

A word to the wise: your windshield already reduces UV by almost half, so photochromic lenses that require light to work (i.e. darken) won’t function as well.

 

Sunglasses for Kids

 

Your child’s eyes need just as much – if not more – protection than yours. Your baby is not born with all their organs fully-developed, and many of their tissues are thinner. This includes their eye tissue. If your wee one is outside, they need eye protection to prevent doing damage to their sensitive sight. When selecting sunglasses for kids, stay away from glasses lenses and choose polycarbonate lenses that won’t shatter if they break.

 

 

Is more, better?

 

Whether you’re buying designer shades from a place like Bailey Nelson sunglasses online or are heading to an Oakley kiosk in your local mall, it’s safe to say you get what you pay for. If you grab your sunglasses from your local dollar discount store, then you can’t be upset or surprised when break easily and/or don’t offer the best UV protection, clarity or fit.

 

This said, you don’t have to remortgage your house to get a solid pair of shades. Yes, look at the price, but also look to see if they confirm to regulatory standards for UV protection and safety. The safety standards for Europe are EN 1836:2005; Australia is AS/NZS 1067:2003, and the US is ANSI Z87.1-2003. Don’t assume just because the glasses are designer or have dark lenses that they are up to snuff: do your due diligence to maintain your ocular health.

 

 

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Maine is an introvert who loves eating, reading, watching American TV shows and Asian dramas. When she’s not doing any of her hobbies, you’ll probably catch her at a cafe, scribbling in her notebook.