Choosing a good pair of sunglasses is really important not only to ensure your comfort as the sun comes out and the days get brighter, but to protect your eye health, too.
Just like your skin, when your eyes are exposed to UV rays this can cause problems. Long-term UV exposure is thought to contribute to the formation of cataracts, and to macular degeneration, but you can protect yourself with a good pair of sunglasses. Sunglasses are also important for protecting the sensitive skin around your eyes. To make sure you get a good pair, it might be worth visiting Randolph USA to see which sunglasses other people are purchasing.
UV protection
The most important thing to look for when choosing sunglasses is UV protection. Look for a pair of sunglasses that have a sticker or tag indicating that they offer 100% UV protection. They won’t necessarily cost you any more than other kinds of sunglasses, and they will keep your eyes safe. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, less than half of all people buying sunglasses ever check the UV protection that a pair of sunglasses offers.
Protect yourself from eye strain
As well as protection from UV rays, sunglasses also offer good protection against eye strain and the headaches and discomfort that come with it. When the sun is reflected off of surfaces it causes glare, which can cause our eyes to become strained if we look at it for too long.
If you want to protect yourself from eye strain and you are already a glasses wearer, then it’s a good idea to consider a pair of prescription sunglasses, as this will protect you from the strain of trying to see without your glasses, and from the glare of the sun.
If you don’t want to fork out for prescription sunglasses (they can be pricey), then a good option is a pair of polarized clip on sunglasses to wear over the top of your existing glasses. They will provide you with protection at a much lower cost.
Lens size
When it comes to selecting your sunglasses, bigger is generally better. Wearing a pair of sunglasses with larger lenses means that harmful UV rays can’t get to your eyes from the side. It also means that you won’t inadvertently be dealing with glare.
Lens color
The color of your lenses won’t make a difference to the level of protection that you are offered from the sun, so the color is mostly down to your individual preference. Some people may prefer a particular color for aesthetic reasons or because it helps with contrast, for example, athletes who need to be able to see a ball against a field might choose a color of lens that makes this easier for them.
Lens shade
Lens shade can provide some indicator about the level of protection a pair of sunglasses will offer you, but not always. It doesn’t necessarily follow that all darker lenses will provide more sun protection, however, a lot of effective sunglasses are a darker shade.
Your best bet is to make your decision based on the level of UV protection first, and lens shade second.
