Sunglasses can be a reliable form of eye protection, especially during the summer. They can also be used when driving or during sporting activities. Plus, they should look good on you. But what should you look for when choosing them?
Choose the right UV filter
The basic parameter when choosing sunglasses should be their UV filter which protects the eyes from ultraviolet radiation from the sun, harmful during prolonged exposure. Glasses with a high-quality UV filter protect against long- (UVA) and medium-wavelength (UVB) radiation. There is also short-wavelength (UVC) radiation, but it is largely blocked by the ozone layer when entering the atmosphere.
In any case, sunglasses should have a UV filter value of at least 400. Focus on this figure as the first parameter. You should also consider whether the product has the EEC standard, which shows the ability to absorb the above-mentioned UVA and UVB radiation.
Focus on the presence of a polarising filter
Sunglasses protect your eyes from harmful UV rays and they can also contribute to road safety by allowing drivers to see the road better in bright sunlight. If you generally use sunglasses behind the wheel, they should have a polarising filter that significantly eliminates glare. The design of these products is no different from other glasses.
Concentrate on frame and lens material
When choosing sunglasses, you should also consider the frame and lens material because it affects their functionality, but also their durability. What options are available?
- Frame material – frames can primarily be plastic or metal. The first variant is light but less durable, while the second has the opposite properties. Additionally, there are also glasses with wooden frames, which are becoming increasingly popular.
- Lens material – you can choose from plastic lenses, which are lightweight and resistant to breaking, but they have worse optical properties and are prone to scratches. Glass lenses are more easily broken but offer excellent optical properties and are scratch-resistant.
Consider the lens colour
Sunglasses can have different lens colours, which affects both the visual aspect and the practical properties. Each colour allows for different vision. Grey and black lenses are versatile. They reduce the light intensity, but do not distort vision, so they’re suitable for virtually all activities. But what about other colours?
- Brown lenses – enhance contrast and are recommended for people with myopia.
- Yellow and orange lenses – often seen in sports glasses, as they help with visibility on snow, for example.
- Red lenses – this variant is also common in sports glasses, and they are suitable for both snow and the sea.
- Blue lenses – can help with farsightedness, but they affect vision and are not recommended for drivers.
- Green lenses – reduce glare, making them suitable for all outdoor activities, and they also have a positive effect on eye fatigue.
Consider buying prescription sunglasses
Wearing sunglasses is not a problem if you wear contact lenses. But some people don’t want to or can’t use contact lenses. In this case, it’s possible to use prescription sunglasses, which are basically just sunglasses with prescription lenses. They protect against the sunlight and correct vision problems. Let’s add that you can also find special sunglasses for reading in some shops.
Don’t underestimate the size of the sunglasses
Naturally, sunglasses should fit you well when you wear them. When choosing, focus on their size. There are three basic parameters which are really important.
- Temple length – temple arms on men's glasses are longer than those on women's glasses, and women's glasses are longer than children's glasses.
- Lens width – this refers to the width at the widest point, which can be an important factor for ensuring your sunglasses fit perfectly.
- Bridge width – indicates the distance between the lenses and typically ranges from 14 to 24 mm.
Consider your face shape
Each person has a characteristic face that makes them unique. When buying sunglasses, you should also focus on its shape, which can be divided into four basic types. What are those?
- Oval face – people with this face shape can wear almost any type of glasses without worrying about experimenting.
- Round face – square lenses (either square or rectangular) and glasses with narrow frames or even frameless glasses are suitable.
- Square face – narrow frames or frameless sunglasses are also a good choice, but round or oval shapes are generally recommended.
- Triangular face – in this case, you should also opt for sunglasses with oval or round lenses.
Don’t underestimate the design of sunglasses
Sunglasses are not just a UV protection, but also a distinctive fashion accessory. In this respect, you can think about the frame’s colour and shape. The shape can be round, oval, square or rectangular, but also special (e.g. aviator or cat eye). It’s also good to choose based on your age and gender. Even though there are unisex designs, some sunglasses are suitable for women, others for men and there are also various children’s models for boys and girls.
