Sunglasses are more than just a fashion statement. They should be used to help protect your eyes from the sun and its harmful UV rays. However, it might not be that easy to know how to go about picking the right sunglasses for you. There are a number of factors when considering how to choose sunglasses.
Here are the top five tips on how to choose sunglasses the right way.
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UV PROTECTION
First and foremost, you should look at whether the sunglasses have any and enough UV protection. The sun gives off radiation from its ultra violet rays that you will never feel or see. The damage that both UVA and UVB rays can cause to your skin and your eyes can be significant, especially over your lifetime. In fact, too much exposure to UV light has been shown to cause cataracts and will destroy the retina. The sunglasses that you choose should protect your eyes somewhere between 99 and 100% of the sun’s UV rays.
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DARK ENOUGH LENS
It is important that you understand that the darker the lens are, it doesn’t mean that there’s greater protection from UV rays. However, despite this, the darker the lens are, the better the sunglasses will be at protecting your pupils. Your pupil controls how much light gets into the eye. What this means is that the darker your lens are, the better protection for your eyes because your pupils will not open up and let as much light in as it would if the lens were lighter. Thinking about UV protection and the darkness of the lens, you might be realizing that some of the sunglasses you own or have worn in the past might have offered very little to no protection, which can be extremely damaging to your eyes!
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TYPE OF LENS
The type of lens that you have is an important factor when considering how to choose sunglasses. Are the lenses made from glass or plastic? Are they curved or straight? Sunglasses are on your face, right near your eyes, so it is important to find sunglasses with lenses that are safe and that do not distort your vision. If you require corrective lenses, you may wish to make sure that you get sunglasses with lens that can help you with your vision (particularly in the event that you might not want or wish to wear contacts).
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MAKE SURE THEY FIT WELL
This might sound like common sense, but many people will opt for sunglasses that don’t fit properly, simply for a look they are going for. It is important to make sure that your sunglasses fit properly to avoid letting in any UV rays in or near your eye. It should fit snug to the face. Not so close that it’s touching your eyelashes, but it should not be pushed too far away either. It is also helpful to get sunglasses that line up to your eyebrows. There are also sunglasses that wrap around your face, which can help block out any UV light from the side.
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POLARIZED LENSES
If you are out at the beach, in large bodies of water, or like to spend time in the snow, then finding sunglasses with polarized lenses are a must for you. Polarized lenses are used to help reduce the glare from these environmental factors. However, it is not to be confused or mistaken for UV protection. Polarized lenses will allow you to see better when there’s a lot of light and glare around you.
In conclusion, we hope that the above tips will help you pick out the next pair of sunglasses that are just right for you. You are only given one set of eyes in your lifetime – – it’s imperative that you make sure that you take the time to do your best to protect them.
One last final tip to take into consideration. While deciding how to choose sunglasses, it is important that you consider all of the above factors, read the labels, ask questions, and make an educated decision when picking out your sunglasses. A lower price does not necessarily mean lower quality, the same way a higher price does not mean the best quality! So, be on the lookout for what’s going to fit and protect you the most! Contact Advanced Eye Medical today to be on your way to clearer vision.