Finding A Better Pair of Contact Lenses

Tips for Buying Sunglasses That Protect Your Eyes While Looking Fashionable

by Luukas Harju

Sunglasses are a fun fashion accessory. They come in many styles and colors so you can easily show off your unique fashion sense. However, sunglasses have a more important function than simply helping you look stylish. They protect your eyes from harmful UV rays and block glare when you're doing important things such as driving. You'll want to buy sunglasses with frames you love and lenses that protect your eyes. Here are a few tips for buying a good pair of sunglasses.

Look for the UV Protection Label

Before you buy a pair of glasses, look for a label on the frame that states the lenses offer 100 percent UV protection. This is important because you want to be sure the lenses will protect your eyes. You can't judge how well sunglasses work based on price, lens color, or darkness of the lenses. You can buy glasses with gray, blue, brown, rose, or mirrored lenses. Your vision may be sharper when you wear certain colors, but that's because of the way the lenses offer color contrast that makes it easier to see in low light or at a distance. Different colors have no effect on UV protection, and the only way to know if you'll be protected is to read the label when shopping for the glasses.

Choose Protective Frames

You buy sunglasses to fit your face just as you buy regular glasses. The frames should fit across your nose and ears in a comfortable manner, and they should rest on your face securely. You'll still have a lot of leeway when it comes to picking out frames for your sunglasses. Larger lenses are usually better because the more coverage there is over your eyes, the better your eyes will be protected from UV rays. You may even want to buy goggle sunglasses or wrap-around glasses that keep UV rays from getting through the sides or tops of the lenses.

Some of these sunglasses fit over the top of your prescription glasses, or you can buy sunglasses with prescription lenses if you need them. Also, consider the activities you will do while wearing the glasses. If you will be skiing or engaging in other physical sports, you'll want rugged frames that won't break easily. You can buy sunglasses with lenses and frames made from plastic, polycarbonate, nylon, or some other tough material that gives your sunglasses a long life while looking stylish.

Compare Options In Lenses

In addition to UV blocking, sunglasses keep you safe by blocking glare. You'll need polarized lenses in order to block glare from water when you're boating or from signs and street lights when you're driving. You can also buy sunglasses with lenses that get darker as the sun gets brighter. These might be a good option if you need prescription glasses since they can double as regular glasses and sunglasses too. Other lenses have gradient shading. These are darker at the top to protect your eyes when you look forward and lighter at the bottom so you can see better if you're trying to read or do other close work.

Sunglasses are available in a wide range of prices from cheap plastic glasses you buy at a pharmacy to designer glasses you buy at an optical store. You don't need to spend a fortune to get good protection for your eyes, but if you want to make sure your eyes are protected and that you get a good fit, then buying quality sunglasses from an optical store is probably the best choice.

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