Sunglasses, They Make You Look Great!

Sunglasses are not simply a style statement, their primary function is to help guard your sensitive eyes from the damaging rays of the bright sunshine. Sunglasses are important in all situations. Sunglasses are available in a multitude of styles, prices and with a variety of enhancements for your individual situation. The most important aspect of selecting sunglasses is the UV factor.

Another important factor is how well it cuts down on glare from the sun and other sources of bright light. This is especially necessary while driving because of the risk of accidents due to your vision being impaired. Glares can come from the reflection of the sun radiating off of the vehicle in front of you, the blinding white of snow, even the windows and metal decor from buildings. If your eyes are not properly protected, glares will most likely make you squint in order to see more clearly, and can also cause headaches. There are sunglasses available that have been created to reduce glare which is great for people who drive often. And by ensuring that you won’t suffer the effects of glare in your eyes, you won’t have to worry about accidents related to it.

Let’s talk about ultraviolet, or “UV” rays in greater detail. Ultraviolet rays are invisible beams of radiation emanating from the sun. Through unprotected long-term exposure, a person may end up suffering from Photokeratitis, which is the temporary burning of the cornea. Exposure to UV rays can also lead to cataracts as well as age-related macular degeneration, or AMD.

Be sure that before you purchase a pair of sunglasses that they truly meet your needs. You want to buy sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays, and you also want them to look good and sit comfortably on your face. If you have a hard time figuring out what the UV protection factor is on the sunglasses you are interested in, don’t hesitate to ask your eye care professional or a sales associate to help you – that’s what they’re there for! Also keep in mind that the larger the lenses are, the better more effective they’ll be at protecting your eyes. Bigger lenses will block out much more light than smaller lenses.

In addition, the lenses should be tinted so as to minimize glare, but not so dark that they prevent you from viewing essential objects when you drive. A simple method to test the level of tint on your glasses is to look at your reflection and determine if your eyes are still visible. If they are, you might consider a pair that is more tinted. Finally, remember your children! All of the above suggestions apply to kids as well, but you would be well served to purchase polycarbonate sunglasses since they will be less likely to break.