How to Choose Sunglasses That Fully Protect Your Eyes and Vision

How to Choose Sunglasses That Protect Your Eyes and Vision

Wearing proper protective sunglasses is essential for maintaining good eye health and vision. With so many options on the market, it can be confusing trying to select sunglasses that adequately shield your eyes from harmful UV rays.

Factors like lens material, tint, polarization, UV protection, frame style and fit all impact how well your sunglasses will safeguard your vision. Read on for tips on choosing the best sunglasses to protect your eyes.

Lens Material

An important factor in sunglasses is the material used for the lenses. Here are some common lens materials and their key features:

• Polycarbonate - Impact-resistant, lightweight. Good UV protection.
• Nylon - Durable, transparent material. Offers UV protection.
• Acrylic - Scratch-resistant lenses. Filters some UV rays.
• Glass - Scratch-resistant but not impact-resistant. No inherent UV protection.
• Photochromic - Lenses darken when exposed to UV light. Some UV protection.

Polycarbonate, nylon and photochromic lenses tend to offer the best eye protection. Glass requires an added coating to filter UV rays. Discuss lens options with your optometrist.

Lens Tint and Color

The color and tint of your sunglasses lenses impacts their ability to filter light:

• Gray - Reduces glare without altering color perception.
• Brown - Blocks blue light to increase contrast.
• Green - Absorbs excess brightness while preserving color vision.
• Yellow - Increases contrast in low light and fog.
• Rose - Minimizes eye fatigue by blocking blue light from screens.
• Mirrored - Extra sun glare protection from reflective coating.

Gray, brown and green tints are ideal for protecting eyes from sun damage while maintaining natural color perception.

Lens Polarization

Polarized sunglass lenses use a special filter to block blinding glare. Benefits include:

• Reduce eye strain and fatigue by cutting reflective glare.
• Allow you to see more clearly.
• Decrease squinting in bright sunlight.
• Make activities like driving and water sports safer.

If youre outdoors frequently, polarized lenses can optimize eye protection and comfort.

UV Protection

No matter what sunglasses you choose, UV protection is key. Look for:

• UV 400 labels Block 99-100% of UVA/UVB rays.
• UV coating Reduces glare and protects eyes.
• UV absorption Absorbs rays instead of filtering.

UV rays from the sun can contribute to eye problems like cataracts and macular degeneration over time. Proper UV protection is crucial.

Lens Size and Shape

Larger, curved lenses provide optimal protection by covering more of your eye area. Look for:

• Oversize, wraparound lenses
• Lenses with a curved shape
• Full coverage of eyes and surrounding tissue

Small, flat lenses leave more of your eye area vulnerable to sun exposure.

Frame Style

Frame style impacts eye coverage. Some good options include:

• Aviators - Cover a lot of skin around the eyes.
• Wayfarers - Offer side sun protection.
• Cateye - Curved shape shields eyes.
• Round - Provide ample coverage.
• Oversized - Maximize eye coverage.

Narrow frames like rectangular shapes dont protect as much facial area around the eyes.

Frame Material

Common eyeglass frame materials include:

• Plastic - Durable, inexpensive, lightweight. Offers UV protection.
• Metal - Stylish but less durable. No inherent UV protection.
• Nylon - Flexible, lightweight. Blocks some UV rays.
• Titanium - Hypoallergenic, corrosion-resistant. Requires added UV coating.

Plastic frames typically provide better UV protection compared to metal options.

Lens Scratch Coating

A scratch-resistant coating will keep your lenses looking their best by protecting against:

• Sand - Can quickly scratch uncoated lenses at the beach.
• Dust - Tiny particles cause micro-scratches over time.
• Debris - Dirt and small objects scratch the surface.
• Cleaning - Using improper materials leads to scratches.

Scratched lenses have more glare and distorted vision. A scratch-resistant coating is recommended.

Anti-Reflective Coating

This coating reduces glare bouncing off the back of the lenses. Benefits include:

• Better vision - Minimizes distracting reflections.
• Reduced eye fatigue - Eyes work less to focus.
• Improved night vision - Decreases glare from lights at night.

Those who drive at night or work on computers should consider an anti-reflective coating.

Mirror Coating

A mirrored coating has a reflective tint that further limits light transmission. Pros include:

• Extra sun glare protection - Great for very bright conditions.
• Attractive appearance - Mirror coating is stylish.
• Increased contrast - Objects appear more defined.

The downside is mirrored lenses are not ideal for low light situations like driving at night.

Hydrophobic Coating

This water-repellent coating causes water to bead up instead of spreading out. Benefits:

• Prevents water spots and staining.
• Minimizes fogging in wet conditions.
• Makes cleaning sunglasses easier.

Its useful for very active lifestyles or humid climates. It prevents water damage over time.

Impact-Resistant Lenses

Impact-resistant or shatterproof lenses are essential for certain professions and activities. They protect against:

• Construction work - Prevent eye injuries from debris.
• Racquet sports - Protect from fast-moving balls.
• Children - Withstand rough handling.
• Active lifestyles - Help glasses survive drops and falls.

Polycarbonate and nylon lenses offer more impact resistance than plastic or glass lenses.

Prescription Sunglasses

Those requiring prescription eyeglasses should also invest in prescription sunglasses. Benefits:

• UV protection - Shield vulnerable prescriptive eyes.
• Glare reduction - See better in bright light.
• Visual clarity - Corrects vision while outdoors.
• Reduced eyestrain - More comfortable long-term wear.

Work with your optometrist to integrate your prescription into sunglasses with proper eye and UV protection.

How to Care for Your Protective Sunglasses

To get the most out of your sunglasses' protective qualities, be sure to care for them properly by:

• Keeping in a hard case - Prevent scratches.
• Using soapy water to clean - Avoid scratching cleaners.
• Drying thoroughly with a soft cloth - Prevent water spots.
• Storing at room temperature - Prevent warping.
• Not wearing around neck - Prevents stretching and damage.
• Repairing loose screws or arms - Maintain a secure fit.

See an optometrist at the first sign of any damage or lens deterioration to maximize their lifespan.

Signs Its Time for New Protective Sunglasses

Replace old, worn sunglasses when you notice any of the following signs:

• Scratched, pitted or flaking lenses
• Frequent eye strain or squinting while wearing them
• Loose or ill-fitting frames that slid down your nose or ears
• Lenses that seem to have changed color or darken unevenly
• Blurry vision or distortion from lenses

Wearing sunglasses past their prime compromises crucial eye protection. Schedule an annual eye exam to ensure your sunglasses still offer optimal shade and UV coverage.

The Importance of Wearing Protective Sunglasses

Donning proper protective sunglasses is one of the best things you can do for long-term eye health. Benefits include:

• Preventing cataracts - Shield eyes from UV rays that cause cataract development.
• Reducing macular degeneration - Protect the macula's photoreceptor cells from sun damage.
• Decreasing eye cancer risk - Limit exposure to radiation that can lead to cancers around the eye.
• Preventing photokeratitis - Avoid painful sunburn of the eye's surface.
• Minimizing temporary blindness - Reduce glare that can temporarily impair vision.
• Lessening eye fatigue - Allow eyes to focus comfortably in bright light.

Don't take chances with cheap, low-quality sunglasses. Invest in proper eyewear so your vision stays sharp for years to come.

Finding the Right Balance of Style and Protection

With so many sunglass options, you can easily find a pair offering maximum eye protection that also align with your personal style. Seek out flattering, durable frames in materials like nylon or plastic. Combine with practical lens features like polarization and UV protection. The result will be fashionable eyewear that also shields your vision from sun damage.

Be sure to have your optometrist verify the quality of sunglass construction and UV coverage. With some smart shopping, you can stay stylish while also keeping your eyesight safe and healthy.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.