Why People Wear Sunglasses
Sunglasses add an element of intrigue and mystery to the wearer. They evoke curiosity in the observer, causing him to wonder, "Who is that behind those designer sunglasses?" The popularity of "shades" is evidenced by their availability in every size, shape and color imaginable--even toddlers wear sunglasses. Does this Spark an idea?
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Ancient History of Sunglasses
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The predecessors to modern sunglasses originated in ancient China and Rome. Chinese judges wore dark quartz over their eyes during trials so they could appear expressionless. Nero, the famous Roman emperor, watched outdoor sporting events wearing gemstones to protect his eyes from glare.
Evolution of Sunglasses
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In the 1700s, James Ayscough made colored eyeglasses to treat certain vision problems. Finally, in 1929, true sunglasses were born. Sunglasses were invented by Sam Foster, founder of the American company Foster-Grant, to shield the eyes from bright summer sun. Foster found a huge market for sunglasses with tourists. Movie stars of the era glamorized the look of sunglasses. Soon, sunglasses became an everyday accessory. Polarized lenses were invented in 1936 by Edwin H. Land, who founded the Polaroid Land Company. Sunglasses have since continued to gain popularity.
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Benefits of Sunglasses
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Dark glasses reduce glare and improve vision in bright light. Most modern sunglasses offer protection from harmful ultraviolet rays that are believed to cause cataracts and retinal damage to the eyes. People wear dark glasses after eye examinations when their pupils have been dilated, following surgeries and with other eye conditions that cause light sensitivity. Sunglasses soothe and comfort tired eyes. Dark glasses also conceal optical disfigurement.
Other Uses for Sunglasses
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Sunglasses are fashionable and fun accessories. People look "cool" in sunglasses. Women can hide behind them when they aren't wearing makeup. Sunglasses provide their wearers with anonymity and privacy. Spies wear shades because no one can see what they are looking at. Famous folks don a pair of sunglasses as a disguise to avoid the paparazzi.
The Prevalence of Sunglasses
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According to the Vision Council of Alexandria, Virginia, 190 million Americans wear non-prescription sunglasses and 25 million wear clip-ons to fit their regular eyeglasses. Over half of all Americans wear two or more pairs of sunglasses regularly.
Sunglasses Warning
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A recent study published in Optometry and Vision Science: The Journal of the American Academy of Optometry tested whether colored lenses worn by individuals with color vision deficiencies worsened their perception of traffic light changes. The researchers tested various colors and intensities of lenses on two groups of participants, a group with color deficiency and a group with no color deficiency. Results showed that certain sunglass tints caused a measurable decrement in the ability of color deficient observers to detect and recognize traffic signals.
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