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Apart from being a fashion accessory, sunglasses are your eyes’ first line of
defense against harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays that can cause short-term and long-term eye impairment.
You need to be mindful of this, as numerous studies have shown that consistent
exposure to UV radiation will not only cause damage to the skin of your eyelid
but also to the lens and other parts of the eye. Additionally, UV exposure may
also lead to the development of cataracts, growths on the eye such as pterygium
and even macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of permanent vision
loss in people age 60 and above.
And so, more than making a fashion statement, you should never forget to use
sunglasses when you’re stepping out into the sun. To help you find the most
suitable pair of sunglasses, here is a list of five factors you must consider:
1) UV protection
You may be tempted to pick a pair of sunglasses because the frame looks
fantastic, or maybe the style and color suits your taste. However, it’s more
important to pay attention to the level of protection the lenses offer. You should
always make sure that the sunglasses you have your eye on could provide you
with either 100% protection against UV-A and UV-B or 100% protection against
UV 400.
2) See if they could sufficiently block out light
Another important factor to thoroughly check is the sunglasses’ ability to block
out enough light. Ideally, sunglasses should be able to block anywhere between
75% to 90% of visible light. If you want to see if the pair you want is dark enough
or not, here’s a nifty tip: wear them and go in front of a mirror. If you could still
see your eyes in the mirror, that’s a clear sign that the sunglasses aren’t dark
enough.
3) The size of the sunglasses
The bigger the sunglasses, the more protected your eyes will be from harsh UV
rays. So, when you’re out shopping for one, you’re better off going with
wraparound sunglasses or oversized sunglasses that feature lenses that are
wide enough to protect your eyes from any angle. This will come in handy in
minimizing the amount of UV rays your eyes are being exposed to. Another thing
to prioritize is fit and comfort, as you must keep your sunglasses on the entire
time you’re out and about in the sun.
4) Inspect the lens’ quality
The lens’ quality as well as the tint is also crucial factors that you must pay equal
attention to. Ideally, you should choose lenses that are matched in color, and do
not have any distortions and flaws. Here’s another tip to help you check for
imperfections in the lenses: hold the glasses at an arm’s length and look at a
straight line through the lenses. Gradually move the glass across the line and
you would instantly know if the lenses are imperfect if the straight line curves or
distorts.
5) Color of the lens
The color of the lens of the sunglasses has no impact on its ability to block out
UV rays. However, it can affect the visual contrast, which is crucial especially if
you’re wearing sunglasses while playing sports such as baseball or beach
volleyball. However, if you want proper color recognition, you could pick lenses
that are grey in color.
To conclude, having a pair of sunglasses is imperative to keeping your eyes safe
and healthy. So, you should never forget to bring them with you whenever you
head outside. Now if you own a pair but are unsure of what kind of UV-protection
they provide, you can go to your eye care provider or an optometrist. They can
find out just how much UV radiation your sunglasses are capable of blocking.
