Sunglasses make our lives easy and comfortable when we go out, providing us with essential protection against the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. If you stay outside on a sunny day without any protection from the sun’s harmful rays, it can damage the surface of your eyes and increase the risk of eye diseases.
wooden sunglasses
Labeling and standards regarding UV protection are not mandatory, but voluntary. Therefore, when choosing a pair of fashionable sunglasses to protect your eyes, it can sometimes be confusing if you don’t understand optical terms relating to lenses or don’t know what exactly to look for. There are some essential things you need to consider when purchasing sunglasses to ensure you get the protection you need.
To make it easier for you, we’ve covered all the factors to consider so you know exactly what to look for when shopping for sunglasses.
What to look for when buying sunglasses?
Sunglasses are an essential eyewear accessory. Not only do they complete your outfit, but they protect you from the dangers of the sun. Whether you’re buying branded sunglasses or prescription sunglasses online, there are a few things you need to keep in mind that can make or break your decision.
Look for UV protection
The first factor is probably one of the most important. Don’t let the cost and color overwhelm you. The ability to block UV rays does not depend on price, color or darkness of the lens. Since glass and plastic lenses absorb UV light, UV immersion is enhanced by adding certain chemicals to the lens materials during the manufacturing process or by applying certain special coatings to the glasses.
Always remember to choose 100% UV blocking sunglasses. You may have seen some labels saying “UV absorption up to 400nm”, which is the same as 100% UV absorption.
When shopping for the best sunglasses for eye protection, you should also check the label or sticker, which states that they can block 100% of UV rays. UV protection is the most important factor to consider when purchasing sunglasses. So be sure to always look for the UV protection label when purchasing.
protection UV
Make sure they can block enough light
Apart from uv 400 sunglasses, what would really help you is to make sure that the sunglasses you are going to buy are capable of blocking light enough. Every pair of glasses you love should turn into light-blocking sunglasses. In other words, they should block 75-90% of visible light.
To determine if sunglasses are dark enough to block sunlight, wear them in front of a mirror; if you can visibly see your eyes through the lenses, then these sunglasses are not dark enough
Choose larger sunglasses
Who said size doesn’t matter? The more coverage your sunglasses have, the less damage the sun’s rays can do to your eyes. So when buying sunglasses online, look for the sizes of the sunglasses. Opt for wraparound glasses or oversized glasses. This will minimize the amount of UV rays entering the eyes, making sunglasses safer.
When opting for larger sunglasses, remember to prioritize good fit and comfort, as you will be wearing them for long hours in the sun. To learn more about how to choose the right sunglasses size for you, you can always refer to our glasses size guide!
Check the quality of the lenses
Look for an even shade rather than a darker shade. You can hold the glasses at arm’s length and, on a straight line, look through the lenses from a distance to check for imperfections, such as the edge of the door.. The glass would not be perfect if the straight edge bends, warps, wobbles or moves.
Check the color of the lenses
There are many lens colors for sunglasses, such as gray, green or brown lenses.
Certain lens colors can increase contrast, which can be helpful for gamers or athletes who play sports like golf or baseball.
Wrap-around glasses
Wrap-around sunglasses frames provide additional protection. Sunglasses that wrap around the temples help block rays from penetrating from both sides. What a clever invention, isn’t it? Some studies have shown that enough UV rays penetrate standard frames, diminishing the protective benefits of the lenses.
But, you know that fashion always likes to evolve. So if you’re looking to upgrade your wraparound sunglasses, why not accessorize them with eyeglass chains? These are stylish pieces of jewelry that will help your polarized sunglasses stay in place. They come in different colors and textures like Cuban link, beads and chevrons.
Cost is never a factor
Optometrists and ophthalmologists suggest wearing sunglasses and hats whenever you go out on a sunny day, especially if you live in a country near the equator or at a high altitude. The good thing is that you don’t need to spend an excessive amount of money to protect your eyes.
A high price does not always give you the guarantee of the best protection for your eyes and superior quality. Therefore, it is not always true that expensive sunglasses provide sufficient protection to your eyes. Sometimes cheaper sunglasses can be more useful than more expensive options if the lenses block 100% UV.
Face shape
Remember we talked about sunglasses sizes? You can’t really buy things blindly. Another important thing to consider before purchasing sunglasses is your face shape. You must study it carefully.
Whatever sunglasses you choose, they should balance and highlight your facial features. You can’t just mindlessly throw yourself into sunglasses without studying your face carefully. If you don’t really know it, you can find out what your face shape is in just 3 easy steps.