Choosing Sunglasses

Written by Debra Wyatt (last updated October 23, 2019)

When it comes to purchasing sunglasses it is important to remember that they can serve two functions at the same time. Sunglasses can be an important part of your fashion accessories but more importantly they can help protect your eyes.

There are so many different styles to choose from when selecting your sunglasses that it can be confusing as to what you should consider. Some things you might want to consider when purchasing your next pair of sunglasses would be why you are purchasing sunglasses.

Not only do you need to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glaring sun they also can be used as a fashion accessory. Besides being practical, sunglasses can add fun and flair to any fashion statement. Part of what can make the sunglasses fun would be the different styles, color of the frames, as well as the color of the lenses.

As you first start looking at the different types of sunglasses, keep in mind that your eyes need protection from ultraviolet light. With the right type of sunglasses you can protect your eyes from sun damage. The risk of damage to your eyes includes things like cataracts and degeneration of the retina. Without wearing sunglasses you may even get your eyes sunburned. Your eyesight is precious and should be protected.

When you look for your new pair of sunglasses look for a pair where the lenses are large enough to cover your eyes. One type of glasses that look really good and make a great fashion statement are glasses that wrap around the eye area and fit close to your face. This type of sunglass is a necessity if you are doing a lot of physical activity outdoors; they are also sturdier than most other types of sunglasses. This type of sunglass will keep the UVA and UVB rays from getting to the eyes from above, beside, and even below the eye area.

The sunglasses should block out ninety-nine percent of UVA/UVB rays. On most sunglasses the label will tell you what the UVA/UVB protection is rated. If there is no rating on the label or elsewhere on the glasses, don't buy them. They are usually a waste of money.

The lenses of sunglasses can come in almost any color that you can think of. If you are serious about protecting your eyes then you will want to choose green, gray, or brown lenses. These three colors help to cut down the glare of the sun without losing any vision. Some of the more colorful lenses either won't cut down on the glare or they have to be so thick that you may lose part of your vision (things will appear to be fuzzy).

You may also want to consider polarized lenses, although they aren't right for everybody or for everyday use. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, on the road, or in the water where the glare of the sun can be dangerous to you and others, then polarized lenses can be great. If you are driving a lot then you should seriously consider getting polarized sunglasses. This particular feature will cut down on the glare of the sun dramatically.

Before making your final selection of sunglasses make sure that the glass frames look good with the shape of your face.

Author Bio

Debra Wyatt

Deb has a communications degree and applies her talents to her position as Marketing Specialist at Sharon Parq Associates. In her spare time she spends time with her children and grandchildren and devotes time to her church. ...

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