5 FAQ About Sunglasses

cc licensed ( BY SD ) flickr photo shared by Ed Yourdon

Sunglasses make a statement; some of them say look how sophisticated I am while others say I am a rebel. How they look, who designed them and how much they cost weigh heavily in choosing which pair to purchase. Their role as fashion accessory largely accounts for the popularity of sunglasses; however, their real value goes beyond their appearance. Here are five facts you should know about sunglasses.

Protection is job #1

Sunglasses protect the eyes from glare, but their most important function is to protect the eyes from damage. Both UVA and UVB are invisible parts of the light spectrum that can damage our eyes. Exposure to short-term UV radiation can burn the surface of the eye, while long-term exposure can lead to permanent damage including cataracts. Look for lenses that will block as close to 100% of UVA and UVB radiation as possible.

Colored lenses: more than a fashion statement

Sunglass lenses come in a variety of colors. Each different color tint has its own special property: Gray lens cut back on brightness, but distort color; Brown and amber are even worse than gray for distorting color and they also make everything appear hazy, but they do a good job of reducing glare; green lenses reduce glare and give the sharpest image.

cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo shared by Okko Pyykkö

Mirrored lenses: looks sharp, but do not help eyes

Forget the mirrored coating on the outside of sunglasses, it scratched off easily. Think about a polarized film or an anti-reflective coating. A polarizing film increases the lenses’ ability to reduce glare, resulting in less squinting. An anti-reflective coating will cut down on the light reflected off the backside of the lenses and into the eyes.

Lens quality: more important than design

In addition to the UVA and UVB blocking ability of the glasses, the quality of the lens construction is also important. Poor quality lenses that contain scratches, imbeded bubbles or other distorting features make the eyes worker harder to focus, and they can cause squinting and tearing. The continued eyestrain can result in headaches, dizziness and finally nausea all of which will discourage sunglass use.

High risk people needing sunglasses

Everyone can benefit from sunglasses but some eyes need more protection than others. Those who have already had cataract surgery, individuals taking drugs that make their eye’s light-sensitive such as sulfa drugs, diuretics, tranquilizers, birth control pills and tetracycline or who are regularly exposed to extreme amount of sunlight benefit as well. Also, individuals with light colored eyes, such as Blue or Grey, generally are sensitive to the sun and benefit from good eye protection.

Use this quide the next time your out shopping for sunglasses. Also, make sure you take your time, try them on, and ask any questions you may have about them. You can never know too much about the style, design, materials, or UV protection that your sunglasses offer.

This article was written by Dicks Cottons, a leading lifestyle sunglasses brand. Since 2009 DicksCottons.com has been providing lifestyle sunglasses and accessories to people and celebrities. Next time you shop for a pair of sunglasses, be sure to check out Dicks Cottons for the best in quality, comfort, style, and price.