With everyone trying to lead a more active lifestyle, most of them are spending a lot of time outside in bright sunshine. Thus the sunglasses, traditionally marketed as fashion accessories, have become more of a necessity. They not only make your eyes feel more comfortable by cutting the glare of the sun, but they also protect the eyes from ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
But with so many brands, varieties and frames of sun glasses in the market choosing the right sunglasses that suits you is very difficult. Here are a couple of pointers for choosing the right sunglasses that make just the right statement.
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Decide what you want: Not every type of glasses is suitable for every type of occasion. Identify the need for which you want to purchase the glasses. If you want to buy it for driving, go for the one that wraps around your head, giving you full protection from glare and UV radiations. For work you need the simple and conventional style etc.
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Must have UV protection: Your sunglasses must provide protection from UVA and UVB radiation that contributes to eye disease. UV rays are known to speed cataract formation and may play a role in the development of macular degeneration. Experts recommend sunglasses that reflect or filter out 99-100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays. Make sure the label reads either UV 400 or 100% UV protection. If they're labeled as "cosmetic" or have no information on UV protection, don't buy them.
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Materials it is made from: Don't buy the glasses that are made from cheap quality plastics; remember your eyes are at stake here. Spend a bit more and buy the lenses that are made from NXT polyurethane as they are impact-resistant, lightweight, flexible, and have great optical clarity. The frames can be made from metal, plastic or carbon fiber. Make sure the sides of the frames are smooth and the hinge that joins the legs of the frame to its main body is firm and sturdy.
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Shape of the frame: Although the shape of the frame is more of a personal choice, but here are some guidelines that will help you. If your face is:
- Round Shaped: rectangle-shaped sunglasses
- Oval Shaped: square or wraparound sunglasses
- Square Shaped: oval or round shape sunglasses.
- Oblong Shaped: round or squared sunglasses.
- Triangular shaped: cat-eye shapes
- Diamond shaped: ovals or cat-eyes
- Inverted triangle shaped: round or squared sunglasses.
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Color of the lenses: The traditional sunglasses were black and brown but recently there is a new trend of wearing colored lenses. However, lens color doesn't really matter when it comes to UV protection. The color of the lenses you wear also determines the color distortion you see. Grey and brown lenses distort colors the least. Orange and yellow lenses increase color distortion as well as both contrast and depth perception. Yellow lenses are, therefore, used by pilots, boaters, fishers, shooters, and hunters for their contrast enhancement and width perception properties.
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Special features: UV protection isn't the only consideration when it comes to selecting sunglasses. Sunglasses often have a variety of "extras" from which to choose:
- Polarized lenses: Polarized lenses reduce glare caused by light reflected from polarizing surfaces such as water, highways and other similar surfaces. These can be especially helpful when driving, boating or out in the snow.
- Photochromic lenses: Photochromatic lenses become darker when exposed to UV radiation, although it can take a few minutes for them to adjust to different light conditions. They reduce glare and help maintain clarity.
- Mirror-coated lenses: A mirrored coating applied to the lens deflect some of the light when it hits the lens so that it is not transmitted through the lens, making it useful in bright conditions. They reduce the amount of visible light entering the eyes. However, they don't necessarily block UV radiation as well.
- Anti-reflective coating: Glasses that have anti-reflective coating reduces the reflection caused by light that hits the back side of lenses, keeping it from bouncing into your eyes.
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Fit of the glasses: Sunglasses should cover the entire eye, even the eyelids. The top of the rim should line with your eyebrows. Make sure they fit snugly without pinching your skin or making you uncomfortable in any way. The weight of the glasses should be balanced between your ears and nose and your eyelashes shouldn't touch the frame or lenses.
Remember your eyes are important. With a little bit of preparation and a little extra expenditure you can give them what they deserve.
