Information about sunglasses

You know the benefits of sunglasses and now you’ve decided that it’s time to purchase a new pair. Whether it’s your first pair or a replacement pair, it should be simple selecting a pair, right? Well it is as long as you are armed with the knowledge of what the options are and what upgrades you might consider. Below you will find a brief listing of some of those items you need to reflect on when choosing a pair of sunglasses.

First let us consider the most important feature to have in your sunglasses: ultra-violet protection. These days most reputable sunglasses offer UV protection to protect your eyes against permanent eye damage and cataracts that can come from exposure to the harmful rays of the sun. Sunglasses typically will provide the recommended standards for UV protection of at least 60% UVA protection and at least 70% UVB protection. For added protection, many experts suggest getting 98% UV protection. If the lenses can absorb 400nm of UV then they are equivalent to 100% UV protection. The protective coating is applied to the lens during the manufacturing process. Regardless of price, you can always find many styles of sunglasses with the suggested UV protection.

The next option to consider is polarization. Polarized sunglass lenses restrict the amount of light reflected off of flat surfaces such as roadways, snow or even standing water that can enter your eye. If you ever try polarized sun glasses you won’t ever settle for sunglasses without polarization. The difference in visual acuity is that dramatic.

Another upgrade is mirrored sunglass lenses. Mirrored sunglasses are a fashion statement. The lenses have a highly reflective, polished surface that will prevent some light from reaching your eyes. They come in a variety of different lens colors. However, mirrored sunglasses are not even in the same ballpark as UV and polarized lenses when it comes to eye care. It’s all about the style.

You should also consider the option of scratch-resistant sunglass lenses. Whether the lenses are plastic or polycarbonate, scratch-resistant lenses are stronger and more durable than untreated lenses. Scratch-resistant glass lenses come with a coating that adds an extra level of protection.

High-contrast sunglass lenses are an upgrade that are not for everyone. Orange and yellow sunglass lenses are great for contrast filtering which gives better depth perception for skiers and snowboarders. But because they distort color they may not be right for use in driving cars or trucks.

If you use prescription glasses to see indoors consider prescription sunglasses to fully enjoy outdoor activities and recreation. And they are so convenient and health for you too. Photochromatic lenses automatically darken and lighten as the ambient light conditions change. Some don’t darken very much while others take time to adjust to different conditions. While other photochromatic lenses require conditioning or prolonged exposure to the sun to fully darken. This is a great upgrade if you are looking for one pair of glasses to use both indoors and out.

The many options and features available for sunglasses may seem, at first, overwhelming. But now that you know what to look for: happy sunglass hunting!

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