Sunglasses protect our eyes from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, making them essential outdoor gear. If you don’t shield your eyes from the sun, you run the risk of being sunburned and developing other eye issues.
Because UV protection laws and labelling are optional, it may be difficult to know what to look for or what optical vocabulary to use when searching for sunglasses. When purchasing sunglasses, keep these crucial factors in mind to make sure you have the necessary protection.
Here’s a helpful checklist to remember if you’re shopping for new shades:
What Features Should I Look for in Sunglasses?
Sunglasses are a necessary piece of accessories. They not only make your ensemble look better, but they also shield you from the sun’s damaging rays. Consider a few crucial aspects when purchasing prescription or designer sunglasses online to make the best decision.
- Look for UV Protection
UV protection is the first and most crucial element to take into account. Remain detached from the price or hue of the eyewear. The lenses’ ability to filter UV rays is unaffected by their price or darkness. In the process of making lenses, manufacturers often use extra chemicals or coatings to enhance the lenses’ capacity to absorb ultraviolet light. This applies to lenses made of plastic as well as glass.
Always choose sunglasses that totally block UV rays. You may see labels that read “UV absorption up to 400nm,” which means that the product is 100% UV absorbed.
Make sure to check for a sticker or label confirming that the sunglasses fully block UV rays while making your purchase. UV protection is the most important feature; thus, when buying sunglasses, always look for the UV protection label.
- Make Sure They Block Enough Light
It’s important to confirm that your sunglasses, such as Oliver Peoples sunglasses, have UV 400 lenses and that they can block enough light. A pair that blocks out 75–90% of visible light is what you should have.
Put on the shades in front of a mirror to see whether they are black enough. The lenses aren’t dark enough to provide enough protection if you can see your eyes through them.
- Choose Bigger Sunglasses
Who says that size is insignificant? You are better protected from UV rays harm with sunglasses with more coverage. Thus, be mindful of the sizes while purchasing sunglasses online. Use wraparound or large glasses to lessen the quantity of UV radiation that reaches your eyes.
Make sure your bigger sunglasses fit and are comfortable before purchasing, particularly since you’ll be spending a lot of time in the sun.
- Check The Quality of The Lenses
It’s crucial to consider colour and lens quality. Seek for a consistent hue rather than one that is only darker. Holding the glasses at arm’s length, gaze through the lenses at a straight edge, such as a door frame, to check for flaws. Slide the glasses across the queue slowly. The lens is not ideal if the edge sways bends, or distorts.
- Check The Lens Colour
Many lens colours are available for brands like Oakley sunglasses, such as grey, brown, green, and pink. The colour of the lenses may change the apparent contrast even if it does not affect how much sunlight they filter.
For sportsmen playing baseball or golf, certain lens colours might improve contrast.
- Wraparounds
Wraparound sunglasses protect the temples from the sun’s rays and give them another degree of defence. Studies reveal that regular frames may let dangerous UV rays in. Therefore, this design is a clever method to improve your eye protection.
If you want to update your wraparound shades, add some glasses chains as an accessory. These chic add-ons, which come in various hues and materials, including pearls, herringbone, and Cuban link, securely hold your polarised sunglasses.
- Cost Must Never Be A Factor
Optometrists and ophthalmologists recommend hats and sunglasses for those who live in tropical regions or at high altitudes when they walk outdoors on sunny days. Fortunately, eye protection doesn’t have to be very expensive.
Expensive costs do not necessarily equate to superior quality or eye protection. In terms of protection, less costly sunglasses could be just as effective as more expensive ones if they provide 100% UV protection.
- Lifestyle
Selecting safe eyeglasses may be challenging since protective eyewear comes in a large range of designs and materials. Consider your lifestyle while choosing to help you make it simpler. Think about your everyday schedule and pursuits.
Amazingly, this may help you figure out what qualities you need. Do you just want fashionable sunglasses that protect your eyes, or do you want sunglasses for outdoor activities?
- Face Shape
You cannot just purchase any pair without giving it some thought. Your facial shape is a crucial consideration as well. Look it over for a minute. Which facial shapes do you have: heart, oval, oblong, or cat eye?
Whichever pair of sunglasses you choose, they should accentuate your characteristics and make you seem better. Choosing the appropriate form and size is more crucial than simply opting for something huge. You can up your eyewear game after you know which glasses fit your face shape.
