Know About Your Sunglasses

You've been thinking of getting new sunglasses, but the selection is overwhelming. So many options for frames. So many different lens choices. What about colors, polarized, coatings, and UV protection?

A choice of personal style. Although this guide would not help you choose the right frame, it will help you know some of the choices you have when looking for new sunglasses. Once you've decided, you'll learn how to take care of them. Let's start now.

Why you should use sunblock on your eyes

Wearing sunglasses to shield your eyes from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the single most important reason to do so.

Serious eye problems including cataracts and macular degeneration have been related to extended UV exposure.

It’s necessary to protect your eyes from the sun's harmful rays. When you are outside during the day, put on sunglasses that block approximately 100% of UV radiation (commonly known as UV 400 nm protection). Sunglasses are a safety precaution to wear even in cloudy weather. You cannot trust on clouds to block UV radiation from entering the atmosphere.

Three types of UV radiation

Your eyes can be harmed by three different forms of UV radiation. Each type has unique traits and potential outcomes:

 

UVC Rays

The most harmful UVC rays for your eyes are those with the highest energy content. Thankfully, the Earth's ozone layer shields the surface from the most of UVC rays. However, if the ozone layer is destroyed, UVC rays might very quickly result in major health issues.

UVB rays

The ozone layer in the atmosphere also filters some of the lower-energy UVB rays. Other UVB rays do, unfortunately, go through. Exposure to UVB radiation has been related to a number of serious eye disorders. These include pinguecula, pterygium, and photokeratitis (also known as snow blindness).

UVA rays

UVA rays are the least energetic of the three kinds of UV radiation. However, UVA rays can pass past your cornea and into the inside of your eye, where the lens and retina are located. Additionally, excessive UVA radiation has been linked to the development of some kinds of cataracts and may cause to macular degeneration.

Complications for UV radiation

You are at risk of developing eye disorders connected to UV radiation when you spend time outside. Your exact UV radiation exposure, however, depends on a number of factors.

Geographic location:- You'll be exposed to more UV radiation if you live in a tropical area close to the equator of the planet. Your risk goes down as you get further from the equator.

Altitude above the Earth:- At higher altitudes, you'll be exposed to more UV radiation.

Specific situation:- You'll be exposed to more UV radiation in large, open areas. When you're close to sand, snow, or other shiny materials, this exposure is very likely. As an example, UV light exposure from snow reflection can almost double.

During the day:- You'll be exposed to more UV rays when the sun is at its greatest point during the day. Usually, this period runs from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Prescription drugs:- A variety of drugs have the potential to make you more sensitive to the negative effects of UV radiation. Sulfa medicines, diuretics, birth control pills, tetracycline, and tranquilizers are a few examples.

Professional advice on Buying sunglasses

Make sure to select a pair of sunglasses that offers superior eye protection while you're shopping for them. Use these four recommendations from the American Optometric Association to that purpose (AOA).

Purchase sunglasses that block 99-100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation. Additionally, ensure that 75-90 percent of visible light cannot enter your eyes by using sunglasses.

If you use contacts lenses, be aware that only few brands offer any UV protection. You still need sunglasses to protect your eyes even if you're using contacts lenses.

Sunglasses should fit comfortably over your eyes and follow the shape of your face. Your eyes should be shielded from all sides by properly fitting sunglasses.

Pick lenses whose colors are a perfect match. Make sure the lenses are free of defects and distortions as well.

Design and manufacture of sunglasses

There are several alternatives available to you while shopping for new sunglasses. The brand and frame style are just the beginning of many options available to you.

Manufacture of frames

The materials used to manufacture high-quality sunglass frames are strong and easily accessible. Lightweight plastic frames work well with various lens types and shouldn't slide down your face. Wire-rimmed sunglasses are given a unique touch by their metal frames.

Types of lenses

You may have chosen your sunglass frames if you're looking for high-quality shades. An optometrist will do a complete eye exam to decide which lenses are best for you.

Prescription (Power)  Sunglasses

Prescription sunglasses provide a stylish alternative that combines vision correction and sun protection if you don't have 20/20(6/6)vision. The glasses will be made in an optical facility utilizing the frame style you select and the results of your eye exam's prescription. When they arrive, your prescription sunglasses will offer both a stylish and practical eyewear solution.

Sunglasses without a prescription

You can use non-prescription sunglasses if you don't require vision correction. These sunglasses, also known as Plano sunglasses,these sunglasses aren't used to correct eyesight.

However, putting on a pair of Plano sunglasses is a wonderful way to accessories your outfit while protecting your eyes from the sun's harmful rays. Select a look that complements your face's form, suits your lifestyle, and represents your personality.

If style is not your top concern, sunglasses could be necessary to improve your ability in a specific activity. A great golfer, for instance, would choose eyewear that increases her ability to identify light and dark patterns in the grass in order to better read the green on a long putt.

Nearly everywhere you go including your town optical store, large online merchants and your local optometrist, they all sold Plano sunglasses.

Ophthalmic Lens materials and treatments

The most of the eyewear manufacturers provide a variety of lens materials, each with unique properties. In most circumstances, the downsides of a lens material may be made up for by adding additional coatings or treatments.

Glass lenses:- High-level optical clarity is provided by  glass lenses. Relatively thick, They are also scratch-resistant. Glass lenses are unfortunately easily broken or cracked, these lenses need an additional coating to meet the standard for 100% UV protection.

High-index plastic lenses:- These cutting-edge lenses are much  lighter than glass lenses of a similar size. Most high-index lenses come standard with 100% UV protection. These lenses require scratch-resistant and anti-reflection coatings, since the lens material is relatively soft and very reflective.

Polycarbonate lenses:- 100% UV-protective, highly impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses are the lightest and thinner than any other lens types. However, in addition to a coating that reduces the reflective properties of the lenses, polycarbonate lenses require a coating that is scratch-resistant.

Polarized lenses:- Polarized sunglasses make colors look brighter and more vibrant by reducing light reflection and glare. Additionally, they can improve the visibility of items that are submerged in a lake or stream.

Polarization may be simply added to the lens during the manufacture process in the optometric lab. Be aware that wearing polarized sunglasses may make it difficult to read LCD screens, such as those found on many smartphone displays and instrument panels. Additionally, they are not advised if you are driving on icy roads.

Lens coatings

 Lenses for sunglasses frequently have one or more specialized coatings. Usually, adding extra coatings will increase the price of the sunglasses.

UV coating:- UV coatings are commonly seen on glass and plastic lenses. The sun's harmful rays can't reach to your eyes thanks to this additional layer.

Anti-reflective coating:- The lenses of the sunglasses have this coating applied to the backside. The coating prevents light from reflecting off the backside of the lenses and onto your face.

Scratch-resistant coating:- A scratch-resistant coating works to shield delicate sunglass lenses from damage. For lightweight  materials like polycarbonate and high-index plastic, this coating, which is sprayed to both sides of the lenses,

Lens shade

One of the key features of sunglasses is the color of the lenses. Lens color is mostly a matter of personal preference and has little relation to how well the sunglasses protect your eyes from UV radiation, even if some tints are advised for specific activities.

Why would you select red lenses over blue lenses or orange lenses, save the fact that you like how you appear wearing them? Here are the most popular lens colours and the advantages of each.

Gray:- The most neutral shade is grey. Your colour vision is least affected by it. Very good for most activities.

Green:-  Provides contrast and assisting in reducing glare and eye strain. Perfect for tennis, golf, and daily usage.

Red or rose:- They reduce eye strain while increasing visibility for drivers by blocking blue light. The depth the field and improve detail. They are effective for snow and water activities, cycling, hunting, and riding.

Blue or purple:- Improved color perception is delivered by blue or purple. They look good with most skin tones and are useful in cloudy weather.

Amber or brown:- Heighten visual sharpness and contrast. Perfect for most sports since they increase contrast with the blue sky and green grass.

Yellow, orange or gold:- Bright colors like yellow, orange, or gold make items easier to see, especially in low light areas. A nice choice in both indoor and outdoor activities.

Mirrored lenses

When purchasing sunglasses, you may also choose whether you want the lenses to be mirrored on the front. A very thin layer that reflects light is present in mirrored lenses. The traditional example is a pair of silvered aviator sunglasses.

You have a lot more options today than simply silver, including blue, orange, red, green, and others. Similarly, there are gradients between two or more of these shades in some circumstances.

Mirrored lenses are largely a fashion decision since they have a significant "cool" factor, without a doubt, but they are also useful. This is especially true with strong colors and gradients. By reflecting even more light away from your eyes and decreasing glare more than tinted lenses alone, the mirroring offers extra protection.

They are popular for another reason, is privacy. Mirrored lenses can provide a little bit more secrecy because they are more opaque than regular sunglasses lenses.