How to Choose Sunglasses

Sunglasses not only look fashionable, but they also help protect your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• UV Cards
• Sunglasses

1. Check labels to make sure the sunglasses provide 100 percent UVA and UVB protection.

2. Look for sunglasses that filter out at least some blue light, which can damage the retina and lead to macular degeneration (vision loss from degeneration in parts of the eye). To make sure, try wearing them outside; a blue sky should appear gray with these on. Also ask about polarization, a type of filtering that helps reduce glare.

3. Choose a lens color based on your preferences and comfort level. Gray doesn't affect color perception; orange-brown lenses are a good choice for those with macular degeneration, since they filter out UV and blue light rays for maximum retinal protection; green lenses distort color less than other shades, such as red or yellow.

4. Opt for lightweight, plastic, shatterproof sunglasses if you're going to be wearing them when playing sports.

5. Purchase sun goggles for total protection of your eyes. These cover a large area and include side shields. As an added bonus, they also fit over prescription glasses.

Tips & Warnings

• A darker lens does not necessarily indicate better protection, and lighter-tinted lenses offer better visibility. Check labels to find sunglasses that provide the best protection possible.
• To ensure against mislabeling, you may want to purchase a UV card, a credit card'size device for testing sunglasses. Contact an optometrist, or look for the product online.
• For added eye protection, wear a hat with at least a 3-inch brim.

[sunpro]

on 12/6/2008 I've sold sunglasses for over 15 years. Polarized sunglasses are the best choice since they block reflected glare as well as direct sunlight glare. Try to find brands that produce their glass lenses with a tinted front wafer (lens). those lenses will block more HEV (Hi energy visible) light or Blue Light and provide sharper vision and better glare protection from direct and reflected glare. Glass lenses provide better protection and visual acuity than plastic lenses. Avoid acrylic lenses; they're used in cheap sunglasses. Also avoid designer brands, most likely you're paying for the label. Typically they use standard CR39 lenses which provide minimal protection for twice the cost. In my opinion, the best brand for the money is Reptile. Maui Jim is excellent but a lot more expensive and not any better.

on 8/8/2006 Your sunglasses should have minimal gap between them and your skin, especially at the sides and top. Because your eye is dilated (due to the shade of the lens) a gap at the top will allow a lot of UV light into your fully dilated eye and cause more damage then not being without your sunglasses.

on 11/22/2005 Don't forget to see how high the frames cover at the top. Your eyelids are very fragile to UV exposure and a sunglass that has a "roof" at the top of the frame gives better protection from glare, and stops your eyelids from burning.

on 11/22/2005 Always try to buy sunglasses with glass lenses instead of plastic. Plastic distorts your vision more than glass does.

on 11/22/2005 Polarized lenses cut out 50 pecent of light (vertical or horizontal). You can tell if lenses are polarized by taking two identical pairs and turning one lens sideways - there will be a blackout! They help you see into water well, too, for fishing.