Sunglasses are not just for fashion purposes but also for protection. They serve as shield that protects your eyes from harmful sun rays. With this, choosing sunglasses must be done carefully to come up with the right choice. In this article, you’ll know how to choose sunglasses and the factors that must be taken into considerations when shopping.
- Check the sunglass’s labels. You have to make sure that the sunglasses you’re going to choose can give you a hundred per cent protection against UV rays.
- Choose sunglasses with blue light filter. Blue light can damage the eye retina that may result to macular degeneration, a retinal disorder in which the patient may lose his vision due to degeneration of some parts of the eye. How would you know if the sunglass has blue light filter? Try it on and look at the sky. The blue sky should look gray while you’re wearing it. Ask about sunglass polarization as well. Polarization is a type of filter that reduces glare.
- Select lens color that fits your needs and comfort. If you have macular degeneration, lens with orange-brown color could be an ideal option as they filter blue light and UV rays. Gray colors could be a safe choice as they don’t affect color perception. If you need shades that distort colors, opt for green lenses.
- Decide what sunglass material is ideal for your lifestyle. If you’re into sports, it is advisable to choose sunglasses that are lightweight and made of durable material like plastic. You have to make sure that they are shatterproof.
- Buy durable sun goggles. For optimum eye protection, you may consider purchasing sun goggles. These provide wider eye protection and have side shields as a feature. Furthermore, these goggles can be worn over prescription eye glasses.
Additional Tips in Choosing Sunglasses
Sunglasses with darker lens shades don’t necessarily signify better eye protection; so as the lighter-shaded sunglass lens provide better visibility. It is advisable to check labels to come up with the right choice of sunglasses that offer best eye protection.
To avoid mislabeling, you may consider getting a UV card, a device that can be used to test sunglasses. You may also want to ask for your optometrist’s advice. Reading reviews about specific type of sunglass online will also help you get the best option. And for additional protection of your eyes, wear a cap that has at least 3 inches brim.